The King’s Singers, a Grammy Award-winning British a capella vocal ensemble, announced Monday that their planned concert at a Florida college was abruptly canceled two hours before the show due to “lifestyle” concerns.
In a statement posted on their website, the group stated that the Feb. 11 concert was due to “concerns related to the sexuality of members of our group.”
“We have performed at Pensacola Christian College before and we entered into the engagement in the knowledge that this is a fundamentalist Christian Institution. Our belief is that our music can build a common language that allows people with different views and perspectives to come together.”
Pensacola Christian College provided a more in-depth justification for the cancelation in a social media post on Monday, stating that the college cannot “knowingly” endorse anything that violates Scripture.
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The college’s explanation referenced how the religious liberal arts institution is founded and guided by the Bible, as the reflected in the college’s Articles of Faith, leading to the dilemma.
“PCC canceled a concert with The King’s Singers upon learning that one of the artists openly maintained a lifestyle that contradicts Scripture,” the statement said. “The highly talented musicians were treated with dignity and respect when informed of the cancellation. The artists stated their understand and acceptance of the change and were given full remuneration.
The ensemble has previously performed at PCC without issue.
According to the group, this is the first time in its 55-year history that they canceled for reasons beyond bad weather, the COVID-19 pandemic or war.
Pensacola Christian College did not immediately respond for comment when contacted by the News Journal.
Story Credit: usatoday.com