Manchester's King Gospel Chorus Tribute Welcoming Incoming NJ Lt. Governor

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Schools' annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will have a special guest speaker, the district announced.

Dale Caldwell, New Jersey's lieutenant governor-elect, is scheduled to give the keynote address at the 57th Annual Manchester Township School District’s Gospel Chorus Tribute to King.

The gospel chorus tribute was first held in January 1969, in the wake of the civil rights leader's assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.

The 2026 tribute concert is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, in the auditorium at Manchester Township High School. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 5 or older.

The Manchester Township Gospel Chorus, founded in the aftermath of the assassination, is the first school-based gospel chorus in New Jersey and the longest-running.

"Its mission remains unchanged: to spread Dr. King’s messages of hope, love, community, and peace through music performed by middle and high school students from all walks of life," the district said. "The MTSD Gospel Choir tribute continues a rich tradition of celebrating Dr. King each January, honoring his life and advancing his message of civil rights and social justice."

The chorus was originally established by Queen Cannon, a Manchester educator who later served as a guidance counselor and interim principal. Now under the direction of Taylor Bullock, one of Cannon's former students, the chorus draws audiences of hundreds of people annually, "fostering a sense of unity, love, and acceptance while honoring Dr. King’s enduring vision."

Performances include praise music, which is performed in the gospel tradition.

This year, the gospel chorus will be joined by the choruses from Manchester Township Middle School and Manchester Township High School. The program will include African American pieces from the Revolutionary and Civil War periods as a patriotic segment to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary.

"The entire tribute event shares in Dr. King's mission to create an empowering, positive, loving, and faith-filled message that engenders peace and love among all faces and races in the Manchester community," the district said.