Boston Pops Gospel Choir

The Boston Pops Gospel Choir, made up of volunteers from church choirs and other choruses in the greater Boston area, was originally brought together to participate in the first “Gospel Night at Pops,” which took place on Sunday, June 13, 1993. “Gospel Night” came about as a result of the vision and commitment of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Cultural Diversity Committee, and particularly because of the late Vondal M. Taylor, Jr. (1954-95), who was Vice-Chairman of the committee and a BSO Overseer. That first performance was led by guest conductor Isaiah Jackson, and Alvin Parris III prepared the choir. The following year Charles Floyd, perhaps best known for his work with Natalie Cole, led acclaimed Gospel Night performances, which featured his own arrangements, both at Symphony Hall and on the Esplanade. In the 2025 spring season, which marks the 31st annual Gospel Night at Pops, Mr. Floyd returns to lead the concert for the 29th time. In 1996 the Boston Pops Gospel Choir joined Patti LaBelle and Edwin Hawkins for a concert taped for the PBS series Evening at Pops.

Boston Pops Gospel Choir 2025 Roster

* indicates a soloist

Dennis Slaughter, Artistic Director
Norris Welch, Choir Manager

Sopranos
Kate Aislin • Marcia Azores • Priscilla Bartley • Phaedra Butler * • Neni Carolina Chacin • Gabrielle Cobbs • Victoria Dandridge • Christina DeVaughn • Paula E. Elliott • Deborah Freeman • Ida Kamrara • Zaida C. Lambe • Ayeesha Lane • Jane Lanzillo • Laura Lapointe • Katie Leazott • Amina Michel-Lord • Ann Moritz • Monica Paige • Roberta Pina • Kimberly Piper • Margaret Ris • Sharon Sealy • Amanda Severin • Charlotte Spinkston • Pamela St Aimee • Julie Starr • Marie G. Toussaint • Jill Updegraph • Martha Vedrine • Brittany Wells

Altos
Loraine Adeyemi • Nicole Rene Atchison • Eren Brooks • Suzanne Buell • Sheri Callender • Adrienne Campbell • Karen Colbert • Jennifer Crowe • Camilla Davis • Ameris J. Davis  • Margaret Evans • Cynthia Faulkner • Elisa M. Gifford • Shannell Grant • Karen Marie Green • Bella V. Harris • Val Harris-Alleyne • Angela Hedley-Mitchell • Thanayi (Ms.) Henry • Deborah Hood • Marcia Jackson • George-Marie Jasmin • Patience Korrie • Marie-Elle Merchant • Sharon Molden * • Kimberly Oliver • Yemisi Oluwole • Kate Prescott • Jacquinn Sinclair • Katani Sumner * • Crystal Tavares • Samara Z. Tilkin • Beth Tortolani • Eleanor Vaughn • Mildred E. Walker • H. Tracy Williams • Angelica Wilshire • Vicki Zelski

Tenors
Anthony Clayton • Bianca Doman • Cathleen Finn • David Grandy • Karen Groce Horan • LaDarrell Hagans • Steven Hawkesworth • Herbert Jones • Michael Jones • Michael Mecenas • Donald Smith • Janie Ward • Josephine Watson

Basses
Mabray Andrews • Philip Clinton • Jeff Fried • Jonathan Gramling • David Joyner • Eric Lee Anderson Reynolds • Tim Smith • Brad Turner • Wesley Vaughn

Rhythm Section
Mark Copeland, piano • Sam Joseph, bass • Dennis Montgomery, organ • Sean Skeete, drums

Special recognition for their invaluable assistance in advance choir preparations
Suzanne Buell • Jeff Fried • George-Marie Jasmin • Herbert Jones • Nichelle Mungo • Martha Vedrine • Vicki Zelski