Gospel Celebration Christmas Show – December 6, Theatre Maisonneuve The Montrealer November 28, 2015 4811 33rd Annual Gospel Celebration Christmas Show Sunday, December 6 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir returns with its 33rd annual Gospel Celebration concert, taking place Sunday December 6, at Théâtre Maisonneuve de la Place des Arts. For many Montrealers, the annual show is their personal beginning to Christmas and the Holiday Season; with Gospel songs and a selection of some of their favourite music of the holidays. The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir’s roots run deep in the Montreal community. In 1974 the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir was founded by Trevor W. Payne, Daisy Peterson Sweeney (Oscar Peterson’s sister) and Union United Church’s then-minister, Frank B. Gabourel. In 1982, the choir’s joint concert with the Union United Church Senior Choir, featuring Ranee Lee, Oliver Jones and Charles Biddle, to celebrate the church’s 75th anniversary, launched the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir to its current status as one of the world’s finest gospel choirs. The Choir has 11 albums as well as several Juno nominations and a Juno award. The Choir was the first gospel choir to win a Juno, the first international artist recorded on the Justin Time record label and has toured Europe several times. This year the Choir officially closed the Montreal International Jazz Festival with a concert at la Salle Symphonique. Last year the Choir was part of the critically acclaimed, sold out, Opéra de Montréal presentation of Porgy and Bess. The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir has performed for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II three times, as well as Nelson Mandela and collaborated with such artists as Ray Charles, Céline Dion, Barry White and Michael Bolton. Artistic Director and founder, Dr. Trevor W. Payne C.M. was invested into the Order of Canada in recognition of his work to introduce and promote gospel music to the Canadian community, for the Choir’s support of numerous charitable causes and for its outreach efforts to the community’s youth population. The Choir’s Gilead Jubilation Foundation has two missions: to seek out new, talented Gospel singers and to provide the support that allows the Choir to perform at fund-raising events for charitable organizations, at no cost to the charities. Dr. Payne was also honoured in October of last year at a tribute gala organized by The Coloured Women’s Club. The concert takes place on Sunday, December 6 at 8 pm, Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts. Tickets start at $45 (taxes incl.) plus applicable service charges. Tickets are available at www.placedesarts.com or 514 842-2112 or at the Place des Arts Box Office. Enjoy!
