Soweto Gospel Choir – Hope

HOPE – It’s Been a Long Time Coming

Out of the darkness comes a new dawn! This all-new concert by 3-time Grammy®-winning SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR commemozrates South Africa’s Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Bringing joy to all, “HOPE” opens with a rousing program of South African freedom songs that inspired their Rainbow Nation. Then the choir’s uplifting performance moves to the United States with beautiful renditions of the music of the Civil Rights Movement, including works by legendary artists Billie Holiday, James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and the one-and-only, Aretha Franklin. Get ready, “HOPE” is a concert that will live forever in your hearts!

Soweto Gospel Choir’s “HOPE – It’s Been a Long Time Coming” has been commissioned by the University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium.

SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR

Hailing from Soweto (South West Township), a town outside of Johannesburg and home of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s democratic movement, SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR continues to inspire audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs and international classics.

Comprising a line-up of some of South Africa’s best vocalists, these uplifting performers have shared the stage and collaborated with the biggest names in contemporary music including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, U2, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, Jimmy Cliff, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hugh Masekela and Josh Groban.

SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR was formed in 2003 at the end of the apartheid era and during South Africa’s inspiring return to Democracy. Taking part in some of the major historical events in the new democratic South Africa, Soweto Gospel Choir are proud to have performed on many occasions for the Father of their Nation, former President Nelson Mandela’s and sadly at his State Funeral in South Africa and at the subsequent commemorative service at Westminster Abbey in London. They were similarly invited to perform at the funeral service for the late President’s first wife, Winnie Mandela. The Choir’s patron is human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and they are proud to act as Ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Three-time Grammy© Award-winners including 2019 Best World Music Album for “Freedom”
• Performed with the biggest names in music including U2, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Josh Groban
• Over 17 million views on YouTube
• Spreading joy to audiences across the globe for nearly two decades