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An evening of Gospel Music at Canterbury Cathedral

Join us for a unique and uplifting evening to celebrate the University of Kent’s 60th anniversary year.

Experience the power and joy of gospel music as the University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral come together with Voices for Sanctuary.

Proceeds from the event will go directly to University of Kent’s Sanctuary Programme. We support refugee and asylum-seeking students to rebuild their lives through education, find belonging within the Kent community, and fulfil their potential.

With words from:

The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover

Hosted by YolanDa Brown

Students who have found sanctuary in Canterbury

Featuring:

University of Kent Gospel Choir

Canterbury Christ Church Gospel Choir

Clive Brown & Urban Sound

And special guests to be announced

£25 General Admission Tickets (Central Nave)
£10 Listening Tickets (Nave sides, obstructed view)

£100 VIP Experience includes:

  • A sparkling canapé reception at Cathedral Lodge
  • A private candle-lit acoustic performance in the Cathedral
  • VIP Gold-block concert seating
  • To book, please contact Sarah Boswell s.boswell@kent.ac.uk

Please note: This event features personal narratives from individuals who came to the UK seeking asylum contains sensitive material, which some people might find moving

Man singing into microphone

Clive Brown is a leading figure in British gospel music, widely recognised for his powerful direction, rich vocal arrangements and lasting impact on generations of singers. With over 40 years of experience, he has trained some of the UK’s most renowned gospel artists and is celebrated for a sound that blends spiritual depth with musical excellence. His credits include performing with Meat Loaf, Mariah Carey, Shirley Caesar and the late Thomas Whitfield, as well as appearances at Euro 96 and in the West End production Mama, I Want to Sing.

Clive’s signature style as a singer, writer, arranger and theatre performer is dynamic, electrifying and deeply rooted in faith, captivating audiences across five decades. His latest ensemble, Clive Brown & Urban Sound (CBUS), is a vibrant choir formed in 2019, known for their soulful harmonies, creative arrangements and heartfelt performances. Dedicated to ministry and transformation through music, CBUS is a 20+ member collective that brings gospel into contemporary spaces while honouring its roots. Their debut EP The Divine was released in 2023 to critical acclaim, followed by standout performances at the Premier Gospel Awards and Music and Arts Global. In May 2025, they delivered another powerful live concert and are now preparing to release their first full-length album.

Clive Brown & Urban Sound are preparing to bring their empowering sound across London, the UK and internationally offering performances that promise to uplift, inspire and empower.

Produced in association with Goziam Okogwu, The Rite Collective. 

In partnership with:

With thanks to Pharon IFA Ltd., the sponsor for this event and Biddenden, the drinks sponsor for this event

 

Voices for Sanctuary

Fri 31 October

ART31

ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

Our projects with young people

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