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Free Philly Fourth concert series opens with first ever gospel performance

150 singers and praise dancers perform gospel concert at Independence Hall.

Members of the Citywide Praise Dancers, made up of members from church congregations from around the city, dancing on Chestnut Street in front of Independence Hall during Sunday's Gospel on Independence event, which featured soloists, dancers, and a 100-voice choir as part of the Wawa Welcome America festivities.
Members of the Citywide Praise Dancers, made up of members from church congregations from around the city, dancing on Chestnut Street in front of Independence Hall during Sunday's Gospel on Independence event, which featured soloists, dancers, and a 100-voice choir as part of the Wawa Welcome America festivities.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
    by Tom Gralish, Staff Photographer
    Published 

A soulful concert of more than 150 singers and praise dancers performed at Independence Hall Sunday night, the first time gospel music has been presented as part of the city's July Fourth celebration. Upcoming free performances in the Wawa Welcome America concert series are the Kimmel Center's Broadway Philadelphia, Monday evening, and the Philly Pops on Tuesday, both also on Independence Mall.

Alex Ingram, Minister of Sacred Music at Deliverance Evangelistic Church in North Philadelphia, brought together voices from choirs across the city to perform as the Welcome America Mass Choir.  They will also perform at the July 4th concert on the Parkway.

The evening also featured the singing preachers, known in local churches as the Four Tenors, made up of  Rev. Alyn E. Waller, Elder Felton Rowe, Jr., Minister Justin Gonzalez and Minister Edward Fields.

>>SEE MORE: Photos from the Gospel on Independence.