From November 23 to December 18, 2025, the Glory Gospel Singers, a distinguished gospel choir from New York, completed a highly successful concert tour across Japan.
The tour encompassed 23 performances in 22 cities nationwide, attracting large and enthusiastic audiences throughout the country.
— November 23, 2:00 p.m., Nagano City
Founded by Phyliss McKoy Joubert, the Glory Gospel Singers are widely regarded as one of the leading big gospel choirs of their generation. Their powerful vocal style has earned acclaim from renowned artists such as Diana Ross and Whitney Houston, and they have performed on prestigious stages including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
During the Japan tour, the ensemble presented a repertoire featuring gospel classics such as “We Shall Overcome” and “Oh Happy Day,” along with seasonal Christmas songs. Each performance was characterized by soul-stirring vocals, rich harmonies, and vibrant rhythms. Through dynamic call-and-response with audiences, the concerts evolved into shared experiences, blurring the line between performers and listeners and creating a powerful sense of unity in the halls.
— December 17, 6:30 p.m., Sumida-ku, Tokyo
A notable performance took place on December 17 at the Sumida Triphony Hall in Tokyo, where the audience included ambassadors and embassy representatives from 17 countries. Attendees spoke of being deeply moved by the choir’s soulful sound, emphasizing how the music transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries and encouraged spontaneous participation and collective joy.
Following the tour, founder Phyliss McKoy Joubert expressed her gratitude for the warm reception received in Japan, noting that the performers themselves were uplifted by the audiences’ enthusiastic response. She also highlighted the significance of opportunities to interact with Japanese students during the tour, describing these exchanges as meaningful moments for passing cultural and musical traditions on to future generations.
On November 26, during the course of the tour, the group visited the Min-On Culture Center and met with Koji Yamaguchi, President of the Min-On Concert Association. In the discussion, choir leader Isaiah Frank Ham spoke of the importance of singing for each individual audience member and expressed deep resonance with Min-On’s belief in music’s power to foster peace and human connection.
— December 18, 6:30 p.m., Yokohama City
We extend our sincere appreciation to the supporting members, partners, and audiences whose engagement and support made the Glory Gospel Singers’ Japan tour a resounding success.
