Category Archives: Gospel Choirs

Gospel Bands

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The power and beauty of gospel bands is undeniable.

If you are looking for moving and irresistibly enjoyable music straight from the soul then consider hiring great gospel choir for your next event. The beauty, soul and tradition of gospel singers is irresistible and booking a top gospel choir for a party or event is a sure crowd pleaser and guarantees to add that something special to any occasion.

Whether it be for a wedding, private party or a corporate event, providing entertainers for a variety of different events is our business and our team are experts in the field of entertainment, events and performances, ensuring our clients always get the best possible service available.

Our entertainment agency can supply you with the ultimate in party entertainers. To hire a gospel choir or band for a wedding, party or corporate event couldn’t be easier… Either find the act or acts you’re interested in on our website and fill in their booking enquiry form or simply give us a call. We’re here to help with any enquiries you might have so please don’t hesitate to contact us. Booking a gospel band couldn’t be easier.

Click here to view all Gospel choirs and Gospel Bands for hire

The History of A cappella

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A cappella is a style of vocal performance without instruments. The word means “from the chapel” in Italian, as a cappella takes its roots in early religious music. A cappella singing has been used in Christian, Islamic, and Jewish religious music for many centuries; references to Jewish a cappella chanting date back as early as 20 BCE. Today, the term “a cappella” encompasses many different secular styles, including doo-wop, the barbershop quartet, and the pop a cappella common on many college campuses today.

The history of a cappella in religious ritual is long and deliberate, as many sacred texts in both the Judeo-Christian and the Islamic tradition can be interpreted as forbidding instruments in worship. Christian musical worship was traditionally a cappella. Instruments were not introduced into the church until 670 AD, when Pope Vitalian brought an organ to his cathedral, and many Christian pop a cappella groups remain popular today. For Jews, the use of musical instruments is prohibited on the Sabbath, and informal Jewish worship often includes songs sung a cappella, known as “zemirot.” The Muslim religion also has a long tradition of unaccompanied worship songs, known as “nasheed.”

Barbershop music, one of the few exclusively American vocal styles, is characterized by its taut, consonant four-part harmonies and ringing overtones. The word “barbershop” was first used to describe this a cappella harmony style in the 1910 song, “Play That Barbershop Chord.” Early barbershop music was closely associated with African-American gospel quartets like the Mills Brothers. In the ’40s, barbershop music became widely popular, and in 1954, the Chordettes brought barbershop into the pop mainstream with their song “Mr. Sandman.”

After the middle of the century, bands like the Persuasions and Manhattan Transfer brought a cappella and acapella elements closer to the center of pop music. Songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” released as a debut single in 1981 by the Nylons, became wildly popular. Billy Joel’s “nearly a cappella” song “For the Longest Time” became a hit in 1983. Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” which features a South African a cappella ensemble, won a Grammy for Best Album in 1986; Rockapella was formed later that year. Boyz II Men “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” which is entirely a cappella, became an enormous hit in 1991 and remained in the charts for 133 weeks.

The power of a gospel choir

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Gospel music can be joyful, soulful or romantic, so gospel singers and gospel choirs tend to include a wide variety of music in their repertoire, from classical and jazz to soul, rock and contemporary pop.

Today’s gospel choirs usually perform with a piano or keyboard and sometimes a drummer, and can be led by a choirmaster. They sing an infectious mix of music including traditional gospel, plus jazz, blues, soul, classical and Latin sung in the gospel style. For most functions, including weddings, corporate events, flash mobs, product launches, award ceremonies and parties, the best choice is a gospel choir rather than a soloist, as both the visual and sound experience of a choir delivers a real impact.

Gospel music has its roots in the spirituals and work songs sung by 18th century slaves in the US, enabling them to join in religious worship at a time when few could read or write. Most songs were sung ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied), or with basic rhythm, so over time, distinctive harmonies developed to embellish the sound. By the early 20th century, gospel was going mainstream, with the first gospel recordings made in the 1920s, and gospel songs then taken up by high profile performers such as Elvis, creating the fascination and enjoyment of gospel that continues today.

A quality gospel choir has three key elements; a great sound, a coordinated look, and an infectious sense of enjoyment!

So, when judging the quality of a gospel choir, first of all, listen to their demo tracks, and consider:

• Do you prefer the cleaner arrangements with harmonies, or the more flamboyant vocalizations
• Does the accompaniment (piano or band) add to the overall sound?
• Does one voice/performer dominate, or does the choir share the lead vocal around, for more variety?

This last point is probably not as important if your choir is only singing a few number during your wedding service, but if you then book them to entertain at your reception or party afterwards (a great idea for guests to enjoy more), consider how they will sound in a 30-minute set or longer.
Now, look at their promotional photos :

• Do they perform in matching outfits?
• Do they look traditional or trendy?
• Do they vary their look to fit the performance type? (Hopefully, yes!).

Finally, do they look and sound as if they are enjoying themselves? While every song doesn’t have to be upbeat, the general feel should be one of energy and excitement bubbling under. Gospel music should dance, not amble!

Go gospel

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Gospel singers are best known for singing worships songs in church, but in more recent years, the exuberant sounds and rich harmonies have been heard on pop recordings and as backing vocals for major artists on tour. Gospel music can be joyful, soulful or romantic and is a great for party and event entertainment with that added wow factor.

Gospel singers and gospel choirs tend to include a wide variety of music in their repertoire, from classical and jazz to soul, rock and contemporary pop. Gospel music however has its roots in the spirituals and work songs sung by 18th century slaves in the US, enabling them to join in religious worship at a time when few could read or write. Most songs were sung ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied), or with basic rhythm, so over time, distinctive harmonies developed to embellish the sound. By the early 20th century, gospel was going mainstream, with the first gospel recordings made in the 1920s, and gospel songs then taken up by high profile performers such as Elvis, creating the fascination and enjoyment of gospel that continues today.

Today’s gospel choirs usually perform with a piano or keyboard and sometimes a drummer, and can be led by a choirmaster. They sing an infectious mix of music including traditional gospel, plus jazz, blues, soul, classical and Latin sung in the gospel style. For most functions, including weddings, corporate events, flash mobs, product launches, award ceremonies and parties, the best choice is a gospel choir rather than a soloist, as both the visual and sound experience of a choir delivers a real impact.

What to look for in quality gospel singers and gospel choirs?

A quality gospel choir has three key elements; a great sound, a coordinated look, and an infectious sense of enjoyment!

So, when judging the quality of a gospel choir, first of all, listen to their demo tracks, and consider:

• Do you prefer the cleaner arrangements with harmonies, or the more flamboyant vocalizations

• Does the accompaniment (piano or band) add to the overall sound?

• Does one voice/performer dominate, or does the choir share the lead vocal around, for more variety?

This last point is probably not as important if your choir is only singing a few number during your wedding service, but if you then book them to entertain at your reception or party afterwards (a great idea for guests to enjoy more), consider how they will sound in a 30-minute set or longer.

Now, look at their promotional photos :

• Do they perform in matching outfits?
• Do they look traditional or trendy?
• Do they vary their look to fit the performance type? (Hopefully, yes!).

Finally, do they look and sound as if they are enjoying themselves? While every song doesn’t have to be upbeat, the general feel should be one of energy and excitement bubbling under. Gospel music should dance, not amble!

Going all out Gospel

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O happy day! Your essential guide to booking a joyful, exciting, exuberant and praiseworthy gospel singer or gospel choir for your wedding, party, corporate event, product launch, awards ceremony or flash mob!

What is a gospel singer?

Gospel singers are best known for singing worships songs in church, but in more recent years, the exuberant sounds and rich harmonies have been heard on pop recordings and as backing vocals for major artists on tour. Gospel music can be joyful, soulful or romantic, so gospel singers and gospel choirs tend to include a wide variety of music in their repertoire, from classical and jazz to soul, rock and contemporary pop.

Gospel music has its roots in the spirituals and work songs sung by 18th century slaves in the US, enabling them to join in religious worship at a time when few could read or write. Most songs were sung ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied), or with basic rhythm, so over time, distinctive harmonies developed to embellish the sound. By the early 20th century, gospel was going mainstream, with the first gospel recordings made in the 1920s, and gospel songs then taken up by high profile performers such as Elvis, creating the fascination and enjoyment of gospel that continues today.

Today’s gospel choirs usually perform with a piano or keyboard and sometimes a drummer, and can be led by a choirmaster. They sing an infectious mix of music including traditional gospel, plus jazz, blues, soul, classical and Latin sung in the gospel style. For most functions, including weddings, corporate events, flash mobs, product launches, award ceremonies and parties, the best choice is a gospel choir rather than a soloist, as both the visual and sound experience of a choir delivers a real impact.

What to look for in quality gospel singers and gospel choirs?

A quality gospel choir has three key elements; a great sound, a coordinated look, and an infectious sense of enjoyment!

So, when judging the quality of a gospel choir, first of all, listen to their demo tracks, and consider:
• Do you prefer the cleaner arrangements with harmonies, or the more flamboyant vocalizations?
• Does the accompaniment (piano or band) add to the overall sound?
• Does one voice/performer dominate, or does the choir share the lead vocal around, for more variety?

This last point is probably not as important if your choir is only singing a few number during your wedding service, but if you then book them to entertain at your reception or party afterwards (a great idea for guests to enjoy more), consider how they will sound in a 30-minute set or longer.

Now, look at their promotional photos :
• Do they perform in matching outfits?
• Do they look traditional or trendy?
• Do they vary their look to fit the performance type? (Hopefully, yes!).

Finally, do they look and sound as if they are enjoying themselves? While every song doesn’t have to be upbeat, the general feel should be one of energy and excitement bubbling under. Gospel music should dance, not amble!

How to become an Events Organiser

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Big events don’t just happen. Behind every successful promotional or corporate event, stands an exhausted but happy event organiser. If you’re looking for a career change and you’ve got good organisational skills and multi-tasking abilities, you might want to take a closer look at this job.

Job Role

An event entertainment organiser is responsible for putting together all the behind-the-scenes details connected with a large event, corporate meeting or exhibition. Work responsibilities will include initial meetings with the client to gather ideas and to determine budget and timings. Following that, as an event organiser you will usually investigate different venues and locate suppliers. 

The event organiser is also responsible for negotiating with various contractors, such as those who supply catering or security services. It will also be your job to coordinate the marketing of the event. Finally, when the big day arrives, you will do whatever is required to make sure that everything runs smoothly and within relevant regulations.

Qualifications and Skills

The good news for those seeking a career change to this type of job is that the role requires no particular qualifications. It would be extremely beneficial and a good opportunity to highlight your relevant experience and transferable skills. Several organisers already at work in the industry have pointed out that a degree is less important than personality. But bear in mind that you will have an edge over other candidates if you have college-level training in events management, marketing or public relations.

Prospective employers may look for practical experience in areas like hotel conferencing, travel or public relations. If you haven’t had the opportunity to do this sort of work for pay, you could build contacts through volunteering or organising events in your personal or social life. Also, learning a second European language would be a definite plus point. Apprenticeships are available in some areas.

To be a successful party and event entertainment organiser, you will need excellent communication and people skills, and have a knack for solving problems creatively. If working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines are a problem for you, you may want to reconsider. You will probably be working a lot on your own, but at times you may be part of a larger team. You should possess good attention to detail and be able to work within a budget.

Employment Routes

Possible employers include event management companies, conference and exhibition venues, hotels, leisure facilities or charities. Large companies, universities and local governments also need event organisers. Once you gain some experience and a good track record, you could also work as a Freelance Organiser. Although most of your work will be done in an office, you’ll undertake some travelling as you may often need to visit different venues, suppliers and clients. Most of the time you’ll be working normal hours, but as the deadlines for your events approach, you may be working round-the-clock. And remember, it’s possible you’ll be planning multiple events at one time, each with their own deadlines and schedules.

 

Networking

If you’re interested in a career change to the world of events organising, spend some time talking to people already in the profession. Perhaps you can arrange to shadow them as they work for a few days, which would allow for a much better feel for what the job is really like. This in turn would prove beneficial and noteworthy, as you’ll also be a much more knowledgeable job candidate if you choose to move ahead into this area. 

Being an event organiser is certainly not easy nor is it stress-free. But when an event comes together successfully, knowing that you’re the one who made it happen gives you an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.

Go Gospel!!!

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Why not hire a Gospel Choir? These brilliant singers are united by their love of gospel music. We believe that Gospel music is for everyone. 

Gospel Choirs use a blend of close harmonies and ability to mix traditional gospel with jazz, soul, blues and Latin styles. They can be hired as small group’s right up to a big strong choir and full bands are available to hire. They bring their positive attitude and professionalism to every performance and can be hired for all occasions such as weddings, tours, church events, private functions or product launches. They can also arrange a favourite song for your wedding.

So how did Gospel music come about? Gospel music is a music genre in Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella. Gospel music publishing houses emerged. The advent of radio in the 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music. Following World War II, gospel music moved into major auditoriums, and gospel music concerts became quite elaborate.

Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes still marketed as “Black gospel” to help distinguish it from other forms of Christian music) is a subgenre of contemporary gospel music. Gospel blues is a blues-based form of gospel music (a combination of blues guitar and evangelistic lyrics). Southern gospel used all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. Progressive Southern gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern gospel over the past couple of decades. Christian country music, sometimes referred to as country gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with country flair. It peaked in popularity in the middle 1990s.

We are sure that if you do decide to hire a ‘Gospel Choir’ it will be such an uplifting experience for anyone listening and is extremely easy on the ears.

The glory of Gospel

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If you wanted to make a great impression and entertain your guests on another level then why not set your sights high and have the best entertainment for your event. Have a blast by hiring one of the best Gospel choirs in the country. The power and beauty of gospel music is undeniable. If you’re looking for moving and enjoyable music straight from the soul then consider hiring a great gospel choir for your next event. The beauty, soul and tradition of gospel music is irresistible and we have the best in the business available here at Red Masque.

Gospel choirs are always uplifting and a great choice for any party and event. You could be organising a Wedding surprise, a corporate event or a launch party and in need of something special to mark the event. Hire a gospel choir for your event and provide your guests with an entertaining and unforgettable experience.

Finding top entertainers for a variety of different events is our business. We specialise in corporate event entertainment, party and wedding entertainment and understand that it is an important aspect of any business. Corporate events are used to impress potential clients and existing employees and when it comes to entertainment, making an impression with guests is paramount. Having a top entertainer as part of your party or event is crucial if you need to impress, which is why the entertainers we recommend are made up of only the very best available in the UK.