(Photo credit: Roy Cox)

Washington Performing Arts’ Children of the Gospel Choir will take the stage at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium on Friday, May 29, 2026 alongside Grammy-nominated gospel artist Anthony Brown.

The student-led concert, which commences at at 7:00 p.m. local time, concludes a year-long program organized around the theme R.I.S.E. (Resilience, Identity, Spirit, and Expression) featuring 40 young vocalists from the DMV area in a program of gospel music, spoken word, and dynamic movement. The evening will also include the presentation of The Reggie Award, an annual honor given to upperclassmen pursuing arts-related education, named for former Washington Performing Arts Board Chair Reginald Van Lee.

“For generations, gospel music has carried the full weight of the human experience. In this production, 40 of the DMV’s most gifted young artists bring that tradition forward with Resilience, Identity, Spirit, and Expression on the storied grounds of Howard University. Come, be inspired by a generation stepping into their gifts with something to say,” David Powell, Director of Gospel Music Programs, said in a press release,

Brown, founder of Anthony Brown & group therAPy, is known for gospel anthems including “Do You Know Jesus” and “Worth.” Michele Fowlin serves as Artistic Director of the Children of the Gospel Choir.