Gospelfest 2026: The choir is back

By Celina Tran

Have you always wanted to join a choir but never found the courage to? This year’s Gospelfest might be your chance. Here, you can join hundreds of other participants, from your local librarian to Grammy-nominated gospel musicians, and celebrate the power of music.

There is something almost magical about a group of people singing together. The body relaxes, the heart lifts, and a sense of community pulses through every note. Standing in a choir, voices intertwining, your shoulders drop, stress melts away, and for a moment, the world narrows to rhythm, harmony, and joy. That is the experience at Gospel Explosion, Norway’s premier gospel choir project, where hundreds of singers come together to create something greater than themselves.

Aril Schøld. Photo: Svein Robert Solberg

Founded by Leif Ingvald Skaug in 2015, Gospel Explosion has grown into a nationwide celebration of gospel music, uniting singers across cities and generations. “There’s a lot of joy and unity in gospel music,” Skaug says. “Building a community is important to us. And singing in a choir has excellent health-promoting benefits – it brings joy, and you spend time with other people who love music. Nobody is left out, and your only risk is making new friends.”

This year, Gospelfest evolves into three separate events, spreading the gospel magic across Norway: 6–8 March in Oslo, 13–15 March in Bergen, and 17–19 April in Trondheim.

Photo: Morten Wanvik

The first two cities will host Grammy-nominated Ricky Dillard, one of the world’s finest gospel conductors, who brings singers and musicians from New G, alongside Skaug and Aril Schøld from Stavanger Gospel Company. Trondheim will feature British artists and conductors Volney Morgan and Stephanie Sounds, together with Skaug, leading the choir in a grand finale at Olavshallen. It will be an intense, first-time experience for the Trondheim stage also welcoming Kine L Fossheim and Knut Anders Sørum, some of Scandinavia’s powerful singers.

“Just gathering people across borders and getting them to sing is huge in itself,” Skaug says. “The festivals are open to anyone who loves to sing. There are no auditions, no barriers; only an invitation to join, to lift your voice, and to feel the music wash over you.”

Leif Igvald. Photo: Gospel Explosion

The benefits of singing together

The sensory experience of Gospel Explosion is immersive. Imagine walking into a rehearsal hall buzzing with anticipation, where hundreds of singers arrange themselves in rows, waiting for a conductor’s signal. When the first chords strike, there is magic. More than anything, there is a physical thrill in being part of hundreds of voices, a collective heartbeat of sound.

As much as it is about performance and community, singing is also about well-being. Research shows that singing releases endorphins, reduces stress, strengthens memory, and even lowers blood pressure. Participants often leave rehearsals feeling lighter, happier, and more connected than when they arrived. “Harmony is not created with a single voice, it’s born when many voices unite,” says Skaug.
The festival also fosters human connection beyond music. Meals, workshops, and informal gatherings allow singers to share stories, swap tips, and build friendships that last far beyond the stage.

Gospel Explosion’s family of choirs in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Indre Østfold comprises hundreds of regular members, but the festival always welcomes newcomers, offering a unique opportunity to experience gospel on an electrifyingly epic scale. “Everybody should try singing in a gospel choir during their lifetime, it’s a truly special experience,” Skaug says.

Beyond the music, Gospel Explosion is about spreading hope, joy, and peace. The word gospel itself means good news, and through these festivals, participants experience that message firsthand in every note sung and moment shared. It is a festival that nourishes both the body and the soul, and one where the act of singing becomes a celebration of life, connection, and collective energy.

For those who have ever wanted to experience the thrill of being part of a choir, Gospel Explosion offers the perfect opportunity.

Whether in Oslo, Bergen or Trondheim, the invitation is simple: join the choir, lift your voice, and feel the joy that comes from singing together. And if you are not interested in singing but still want to enjoy the music, simply come and enjoy the concert at the end of each Gospelfest!