Friends For Harmony Concert

Black ministerial alliance and vision New England Join forces to promote harmony and peace through major music event ‘friends for harmony concert’ brings internationally acclaimed artists and regional favorites to Bank of America pavilion

Boston , MA - The Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Inc. (BMA) and Vision New England (VNE), the region’s largest faith-based organizations, have developed an unprecedented partnership to promote harmony and peace through celebration, song and praise. As co-presenters of the Friends For Harmony Concert , VNE and BMA invite New England citizens to join in a spiritually uplifting musical celebration at the Bank of America Pavilion .

Mayor Thomas M. Menino , Reverend Michael E. Haynes , and Caleb and Bonny Loring III , the event’s honorary co-chairs, will embrace this opportunity to build friendships and bridge barriers separating urban and suburban people across cultural, racial, regional, and denominational lines.

On Saturday, June 18, 2005 , beginning at 5:30pm, the FRIENDS FOR HARMONY CONCERT will present the New England debut of one of the hottest new music groups in the country in a contemporary gospel music celebration. Stellar and GMA Award winning and Grammy nominated Israel and New Breed bring their internationally acclaimed

Christian and gospel music to Boston’s premiere harborside concert venue. Regional favorites, Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers and the Eastern Nazarene College Gospel Choir , will open the concert (seating begins 5:30pm; concert begins 6pm and ends 9:30pm; 20-minute intermission).

Among recent accolades, Israel Houghton won Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2005 Stellar Awards. His latest release with New Breed, Integrity Gospel’s “Live From Another Level,” won Stellar’s CD of the Year, two 2005 GMA Awards for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year and Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (“Again I Say Rejoice”), and a Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Album. In addition, the group garnered a 2005 Grammy nomination in the Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album category. Critically acclaimed as one of Christian music's foremost worship leaders, songwriters, recording artists, and producers, Israel has touched the hearts of millions across the globe through his “anointed, God-inspired music.” He has worked with such artists as Fred Hammond, CeCe Winans, and Yolanda Adams, and garnered the admiration of music legends, including Andrae Crouch and Earth, Wind & Fire.