Choirs of Different Faiths Unite for Interfaith Concert at Cathedral Basilica

Gospel, traditional, and Jewish choirs to perform together in Philadelphia on Sunday

Feb. 6, 2026 at 1:55pm

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Three choirs representing diverse Judeo-Christian musical traditions - the Archdiocesan Choir of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir, and Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Philadelphia - will come together for an Interfaith Choir Concert at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Sunday, February 8th at 2:30 PM. The free concert will showcase the shared roots and distinct styles of the participating choirs.

Why it matters

The concert highlights the power of music to bring together people of different faiths and backgrounds, especially in a time of societal unrest. By showcasing the shared scriptural foundations and diverse musical expressions of the Jewish, Catholic, and Black church traditions, the event aims to promote unity and understanding.

The details

The three choirs will each perform individual selections, but will also intermix and share in particular songs. To prepare, the choir directors have been teaching each other's music to their respective choirs. The concert will feature different musical settings of Psalm 23, with the Jewish choir performing the Hebrew version, the Archdiocesan choir doing a traditional European arrangement, and the Gospel choir presenting a rendition in the Black church style.

  • The Interfaith Choir Concert will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 2:30 PM.
  • Last month, the choirs participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Malachy Catholic Church in North Philadelphia.

The players

Tonya Taylor-Dorsey

Director of the Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir.

Dr. Julia Zavadsky

Director of Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Philadelphia.

Charlene Angelini

Director of the Archdiocesan Choir of Philadelphia.

Stacy Williams

Director of the Office for Black Catholics at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.

Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul

The historic church in Center City Philadelphia that will host the Interfaith Choir Concert.

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What they’re saying

“We have more similarities than we do differences. We all worship God at the end of the day, whether it's the Jewish faith, Catholic faith; whether you're Black, White, Hispanic, it doesn't really matter. It's all about honoring God in our worship.”

— Tonya Taylor-Dorsey, Director of the Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir (Catholic Philly)

“The fact that they're joining together says a lot about who we are as Catholics. We should embrace as many of our brothers and sisters as possible, and I count our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

— Stacy Williams, Director of the Office for Black Catholics (Catholic Philly)

“I believe that music is truly the tool that can bring (together) all cultures, all races. Whether you're rich or poor, Black or White, music is really that tool that can bring everyone together, and historically it's always been that way.”

— Tonya Taylor-Dorsey, Director of the Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir (Catholic Philly)

What’s next

The concert will be streamed live online for those unable to attend in person.

The takeaway

This interfaith choir concert demonstrates the power of music to transcend religious and cultural boundaries, bringing people together in a shared expression of faith and worship. By highlighting the diverse musical traditions within the Judeo-Christian heritage, the event promotes understanding and unity in a time of societal division.