Originally founded in the early 70s, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is a 300-voice Gospel choir based out of the historic Brooklyn Tabernacle in downtown Brooklyn, NY. The Choir, like the church, is an amazing amalgam of ethnic and economic backgrounds and includes everyone from attorneys and nurses to street people and ex crack addicts. All share a passion to glorify God through song. The Choir was founded by, and is directed by Carol Cymbala, wife of Senior Pastor Jim Cymbala and daughter of the church founder, the late Rev. Clair Hutchins. Although she cannot read or write music, Carol has been blessed with a special gift to direct and create from the heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. “I just want to see people drawn to Jesus Christ,” Carol says. “I want the music to be the arrow that points them to Him.” And, although the majority of the choir members have no formal vocal training, they have been instrumental in presenting the love of God all over the world through live performances and through numerous audio and video recordings. Says Pastor Cymbala, “The choir represents all different walks of life and every kind of sin. You name it and we have someone who has been saved out of it, standing next to another one who has grown up in the church.” “None of us would have met if it weren’t for Christ,” he continues. “Our backgrounds are just too diverse. But all of us have one thing in common: we have all been lifted up and saved. So the Choir sings—not about a theological position—but about what has happened to them. It’s not a theory; it’s a reality.” Starting each practice with a prayer session reinforces that principle. Even the rehearsals prior to Sunday services are all closed in prayer as the choir asks God to bless their music and anoint their songs for the service. “…I find that the choir greatly facilitates the ministry that goes on here,” says Pastor Cymbala. In their own uniquely sincere and almost vulnerable way, some by not being trained singers, while others are coming from totally non-religious backgrounds, they are able to display an openness, a transparent ‘heartfeltness’ that opens up and triggers that same thing in other people.” Although the logistics of travel often prove too cumbersome for the Choir, they have had the opportunity to perform at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden. In addition, a core group of vocalists called The Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers travel frequently including both domestic and overseas ministry trips. The choir’s latest CD, I’ll Say Yes, is the 26th album in a recording history that includes six GRAMMY Awards, seven Dove Awards and over four million albums sold. Their new DVD, The Miracle of Hope, released in April. Additional information is available at www.brooklyntabernacle.org. Enquiries related to booking may be sent by email to music@brooklyntabernacle.org.