[Newark, NJ – May 10, 2019] On Saturday, May 11, the Newark Board of Education (NBOE) Gospel Choir will take the stage to compete in the McDonald’s Gospelfest (competing in the adult choir category) at the Prudential Center in Newark. McDonald’s Gospelfest is the largest showcase of gospel music in the world and the NBOE choir will be the first workplace choir to participate in the show’s long history. The choir competitions begin at 5 p.m.
The Newark Board of Education Gospel Choir (NBOE) was founded by Elijah D. Griffiths, a former NBOE employee and current employee Legretha Wingo in November 2018 after performing at the NBOE holiday celebration. The NBOE Gospel Choir, which is open to all employees, has 72 members and includes a broad section of employees including executive staff, instructional, clerks, custodians, attendance counselors, paraprofessionals and others.
The Newark Board of Education Gospel Choir is the first ever public-employee based choir in the United States and the first to ever participate in a national competition and musical production. They will compete against four other choirs, in addition to sharing the same stage as celebrity gospel artists who will be paying tribute and celebrating the life and legacy of Aretha Franklin. Celebrity artists performing include Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Shirley Caesar, Tamar Braxton, and many others! Tickets can be purchased starting at $36.00 at https://www.prucenter.com/events/gospelfest.
After the McDonald’s Gospelfest, the NBOE Gospel Choir will be performing at the Kick-Off for Gospel Music History Month at Newark City Hall on Friday, May 31 at 11:00 AM in the Council Chambers. They are also scheduled to perform at a celebration including the Governor on Saturday, June 29, in Trenton, NJ.
For more information on the Newark Board of Education Gospel Choir please contact: Eli.dgriffiths@nullgmail.com.