Children of the Gospel Choir:
Freedom in the Midst of Bondage

In a student-driven production, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG) explores issues of social justice through song, original spoken word, and dance. This Juneteenth, in celebration of the perseverance of the human spirit, the members of COTG sing their message of unified love, peace, and—above all—freedom for humankind.

Washington Performing Arts
Children of the Gospel Choir
Michele Fowlin, Artistic Director

“No Turning Back” by Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey
Copyright © 2011, Ardent Media (BMI) / Sound of the New Breed (BMI) / Integrity’s Praise Music (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)

“Freedom in the Midst of Bondage”
Written by the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, 2021

“Stand Up” by Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Chinasaokwuo Echeumuna-Erivo
Copyright © 2019, Focus Gramercy Film Music (BMI) / Songs of Universal Inc. (BMI) / Focus-Gramercy Music (ASCAP) / Universal Music Corp (ASCAP)

About Children of the Gospel Choir

Formed in 1993, Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG) is one of Washington Performing Arts’s resident ensembles. COTG has become a destination choir for local students who look to develop excellence in artistry and technique as a performance ensemble. Chosen through a competitive audition process, choir members from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia commit to participating in a year of choral training, intensive workshops, and a variety of performances on Washington Performing Arts’s main stage and through community events. The COTG program provides opportunities for youth in grades four through 12 and promotes an environment of self-confidence, teamwork, and respect.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michele Fowlin, the Children of the Gospel Choir have been featured at the White House (with Sara Bareilles at the Canadian State Dinner honoring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau); the Inaugural Prayer Services for President Barack Obama and the National Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela, both at The Washington National Cathedral; the Washington Performing Arts Gala with Broadway star Matthew Morrison; the historic Howard Theatre; the U.S. Department of State; and on NBC’s Today.

Performances by the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir are made possible by Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mars, Incorporated.

Gospel music programs and performances at Washington Performing Arts are made possible in part by the Beech Street Foundation and Mr. Jeffrey Bauman and Ms. Linda Fienberg; Hubert “Hank” Schlosberg and the Schlosberg Family; Tom Gallagher, in honor of Turnaround, Inc.; Trista L.P. Colbert and Theodore Colbert; Rudy Burwell and Mona Mohib, in loving memory of Rudolph Burwell, Sr.; Bruce Rosenblum and Lori Laitman; Pepco, An Exelon Company; the Dan Cameron Family Foundation; Mrs. Alison Francis; Mrs. Paula Seigle Goldman; and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Howard. List reflects donations of $1,000 or more as of June 11, 2021.