Florida college cancels a cappella concert with due to gay member

Florida college cancels British a cappella ensemble’s concert with two hours notice due to ‘lifestyle that contradicts scripture’ of gay member – as students protest decision

• Pensacola Christian College cancelled The King’s Singer concert due to two members of the group being gay 
• The a cappella group was set to perform before receiving a two-hour notice that the show was cancelled 
• The Baptist school claimed the decision was ‘guided by the Bible’ 

A Florida college cancelled a British a cappella concert with only a two hour notice after discovering two members of the group are gay.

The King’s Singers were supposed to perform at Pensacola Christian College on February 11, but were notified two hours before that the show was scrapped. 

Staff and students at the Baptist school complained The King’s Singers’ values contradict the school’s that are ‘guided by the Bible’ while others blasted the cancellation as ‘homophobic.’ 

The group shared on social media that they weren’t specifically told why the concert was called off, rather the school expressed ‘concerns’ over the ‘lifestyle’ of a few members.

‘It has become clear to us, from a flood of correspondence from students and members of the public, that these concerns are related to the sexuality of the members of our group,’ the ensemble wrote in a statement. 

The King’s Singers were supposed to perform at Pensacola Christian College on February 11, but were notified two hours before that the show was scrapped due to a member being gay. Patrick Dunachie, Edward Button, Julian Gregory, Christopher Bruerton, Nick Ashby and Jonathan Howard are the members of the historic group 

Patrick Dunachie, Edward Button, Julian Gregory, Christopher Bruerton, Nick Ashby and Jonathan Howard are the members of the historic group.

The group had previously performed at the Christian school before without an issue. They believed this performance would help those with different beliefs be brought together through music. 

‘This is the first time that anything other than bad weather, the pandemic or war has caused a concert cancellation in our 55-year history,’ the statement continued. 

The group were expecting about 5,000 people to attend the concert.  

Students and commenters slammed the college as ‘discriminatory’ by commenters and students until they were forced to address the contention. 

‘The college cannot  knowingly give an implied or direct endorsement of anything that violates the Holy Scripture, the foundation for our sincerely held beliefs,’ the college wrote in a statement on Monday night. 

‘At the same time, the college also recognizes everyone is created in the image of God and should be afforded the dignity of kindness.

‘PCC canceled a concert with The King’s Singers upon learning that one of the artists openly maintained a lifestyle that contradicts Scripture. The highly talented musicians were treated with dignity and respect when informed about the cancellation.’

The college insisted the ensemble were understanding. 

The group were expecting about 5,000 people to attend the concert. They claimed it was the first time a show has been cancelled due to a non-emergency reason in 55 years

The group had previously performed at the Christian school before without an issue. They believed this performance would help those with different beliefs be brought together through music

A cappella member Jonathan Howard confirmed two members of the ensemble are gay. He referred to the cancellation as ‘hurtful,’ according to The New York Times. 

Member Joyce DiDonto also expressed his disappointment calling it ‘short-sided.’ 

‘Such a misguided, closed, short-sighted decision, which you met with dignity, love, comprehension, grace, and class,’ DiDonto wrote on Twitter. ‘Let the music PLAY. Love is love, and true compassion is what endures. Thank you for showing the way!’

A college sophomore at Pensacola Christian College, who didn’t want to be named, was outraged to hear about the cancellation. The student claimed the decision has led to division. 

‘It’s a pretty toxic situation right here currently,’ the student told WEAR News 3. ‘It’s just getting very stressful with this situation going on.’

‘There have been arguments and mini protests that happened on campus,’ the student added. ‘It’s just been a very hostile environment to be honest.’ 

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