Ball State University welcomes the multi-Grammy® and Emmy Award®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir to Emens Auditorium for a free performance at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3.
Tickets are available at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.) or by phone at 765-285-1539. Tickets are required for entry. This event is part of the Arts Alive! series presented by Ball State’s College of Fine Arts.
Returning to North America with its acclaimed concert PEACE, the Soweto Gospel Choir will present a joyful program of South African freedom songs, traditional spirituals, and beloved classics including “Man in the Mirror” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The inspiring performance will also feature the spirited music of Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, and more.
“The Soweto Gospel Choir performance promises to be a world-class experience perfect for every generation,” said Dr. Seth Beckman, dean of Ball State’s College of Fine Arts. “Bring your kids, your parents, your friends—and come prepared for an inspiring evening.”
Formed in 2002, the Soweto Gospel Choir was created to celebrate the unique power of African gospel music and quickly established itself as a group that is “undeniably synchronized, appears unshakable, and simultaneously expresses universality and individuality,” according to San Francisco Classical Voice. Heralded by Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey, the choir has uplifted audiences worldwide through its earthy rhythms, rich harmonies, brilliant costumes, and infectious spirit.
The Soweto Gospel Choir has collaborated and performed with global icons including Peter Gabriel, U2, John Legend, Robert Plant, Chance the Rapper, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, and Pharrell Williams. The group has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Nelson Mandela Theatre, as well as at major events including the Academy Awards, Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in Westminster Abbey, and the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Cape Town.
In addition to performances for Nelson Mandela and former patron Desmond Tutu, the choir has sung before Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, His Majesty King Charles and Her Majesty Queen Camilla, Prince Harry, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and numerous international dignitaries and celebrities. The Soweto Gospel Choir has also appeared on NBC’s Today Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
The ensemble has been recognized with five Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, six South African Music Awards, two American Gospel Awards, an International Reggae and World Music Award, and a Helpmann Award, among many others.
For more information about the Soweto Gospel Choir, visit www.sowetogospelchoir.com.
Ball State’s Arts Alive! series brings nationally and internationally recognized artists and performers to Muncie, providing students, faculty, staff, and the greater community with access to exceptional arts experiences. Through a range of concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and master classes, Arts Alive! enhances the cultural landscape of central Indiana while offering audiences the opportunity to experience world-class talent at an accessible cost.
Hosted in Ball State’s state-of-the-art performing and exhibition spaces, the series underscores the University’s commitment to advancing arts education and engagement throughout the region.
For a full schedule of upcoming performances and events at Emens Auditorium, visit bsu.edu/web/emens/events.