The project
The project
Where two kinds of excellence meet: the fervour of Gospel and the grandeur of the symphonic repertoire.
The story
A creation born at the Auditorium de Lyon
In 2017, the Auditorium de Lyon and the Orchestre National de Lyon invited Pascal Horecka to imagine something entirely new. In April 2018, the warmth of Gospel and the grandeur of symphonic music met on stage for the first time.
Since then, the concept has won over concert halls, philharmonic orchestras and festivals in France and abroad: the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fès Festival of World Sacred Music alongside Kim Burrell, Jazz à Vienne.
On stage
Four ensembles, one voice.
The Gospel Experience choir
Thirteen professional singers, among the finest gospel artists in Europe, who set the vocal standard.
The band
Piano, Hammond B3 organ, bass and drums: the pulse and authentic colour of Gospel.
The large choir
One hundred and twenty amateur singers, selected by audition, who give the project its human depth.
The orchestra
A philharmonic orchestra of 40 to 90 musicians, giving Gospel the full scope of the symphonic repertoire.
The chamber choir
The Gospel Experience choir
The project’s most intimate formation, the Gospel Experience choir brings together thirteen singers who also pursue solo careers and perform with international artists such as Céline Dion, Christophe Maé and Mariah Carey.
It also performs on its own, in churches, at festivals and for special occasions: Christmas concerts, private events. A project that demands great versatility and the precision of a goldsmith.
The large choir
Open to all, demanding of each.
The success of the project rests on recruiting the amateur large choir. The aim: to give as many people as possible, especially those far removed from culture, the chance to surpass themselves and reach excellence together.
- Individual auditions, judging only voice and commitment.
- Places set aside for candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- An intergenerational choir, rich in very different life stories.
- No music-reading required: a good ear and passion are enough.
Artistic direction
Pascal Horecka
Conductor, composer, arranger and creator of Gospel Philharmonic Experience.
Trained at the Angers Conservatoire and the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon, he studied conducting in Paris and Lisbon with Jean-Sébastien Béreau. In Lyon he discovered African-American music and Gospel, which became one of his signatures.
He conducts in Prague, Budapest and Lyon, orchestrates for film and television, arranges albums and teaches at Université Lumière Lyon 2.
Inspirations
The voices that guide us.
Gospel and symphonic: the artists and orchestras that shape the project. Pascal Horecka invites you to discover them.
Gospel
- Take 6 — the American a cappella sextet, between gospel and jazz
- Kirk Franklin — composer and choir director, a leading figure of contemporary gospel
- Marvin Sapp — singer and pastor, one of gospel’s great voices
- Kim Burrell — a singular voice, our guest at Jazz à Vienne and in Fez
- Jonathan McReynolds — singer-songwriter and guitarist of contemporary gospel
Symphonic
- Berlin Philharmonic — one of the world’s great orchestras
- London Symphony Orchestra — London’s symphony orchestra, at home in every repertoire
- Orchestre de Paris — resident at the Philharmonie de Paris
- Radio France orchestras — Orchestre National de France and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
- Orchestre National de Lyon — partner of the premiere at the Auditorium de Lyon
- Lyon Opera Orchestra — on stage with us at Jazz à Vienne
Formats
Two formats, one standard.
Symphonic
The full experience: philharmonic orchestra, Gospel Experience choir, band and large choir. Up to 200 artists, for concert halls, opera houses and major festivals.
Chamber
The Gospel Experience choir and its band, or a smaller symphonic line-up: for churches, festivals and private events, with all of the emotion.