The British a capella group has charged Pensacola Christian College of canceling a scheduled performance due to “concerns about the sexuality of group members.” The college stated that it canceled the event “upon discovering that one of the artists lived a lifestyle that contradicts the Bible.”
A Grammy-winning British cappella group stated that a Christian college in the United States abruptly canceled a concert due to “concerns linked to the sexuality” of some group members.
The King’s Singers expressed “profound regret” over the abrupt cancellation of their performance at Pensacola Christian College in Florida.
The university stated that the performance was canceled “after discovering that one of the artists openly lived in opposition to the Bible.”
It stated that it could not “impliedly or explicitly support anything that violates the Holy Scripture.”
The King’s Singers stated on Instagram that this was the first time one of their performances had been canceled for causes other than bad weather, a pandemic, or war.
The school cited ‘concerns‘ about the ‘lifestyle’ of members of our group as the cause for the cancellation,” they said.
“As a result of a deluge of correspondence from students and members of the public, it has become abundantly obvious that these concerns related to the sexual orientation of members of our group.”
The singers stated that they had previously played at the college and decided to do so again “with the understanding that this is a fundamentalist Christian institution.”
They added, “We believe that music can create a common language that enables people with diverse perspectives and viewpoints to come together.”
The group stated that it hoped the additional dialogue would foster “a greater sense of love, acceptance, and inclusion” and that it was “disappointed” not to be able to share “our music and our goal to find harmony” with the university’s more than 4,000 students.
Everyone is made in God’s image.
PCC also shared a statement on social media describing itself as “a religious liberal arts school founded on and guided by the Bible.”
According to the organization’s statement: “The college cannot offer an implied or direct endorsement of anything that violates the Holy Scripture, the basis of our deeply held beliefs.
“In addition, the college acknowledges that everyone is made in God’s image and should be treated with kindness.
“PCC cancelled a concert with The King’s Singers after finding that one artist openly lived a lifestyle against the Bible.”
“Extremely talented musicians” were “informed of the cancellation with dignity and respect” by PCC.
The King’s Singers “expressed their understanding and acceptance of the shift” and were compensated in full, the statement continued.
The King’s Singers was established in 1968 by six choral scholars and is named after King’s College, Cambridge.
The lineup has varied over the years, with Patrick Dunachie, Edward Button, Julian Gregory, Chris Bruerton, Nick Ashby, and Jonathan Howard currently serving as members.
They are presently on tour in North America, with multiple performances in Canada this week.
The ensemble has been awarded two Grammys and an Emmy.
