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Since its foundation in 1982, the has gone on to develop a formidable reputation, playing an ambassadorial role for choral music in both the spiritual and secular worlds. Theirs is an inter-denominational choir, taking in a range of faiths and musical ideas. For Radio 2's , founder member Bazil Meade led them in this wonderfully stirring version of the hymn based on Psalm 144:15.

The recent was part of the 成人论坛’s 2016 Proms season. Among the many highlights of the show, star gave her former bandmate Beyoncé a vocal run for her money, pouring her heart into The Blood - part of a medley of songs written by , the gospel singer and songwriter often called the father of modern gospel music.

Taking things further back, towards gospel’s first crossover with jazz and blues, breathed extraordinary new life into ’s signature tune. It’s a performance that was given extra resonance by being placed at the heart of Birmingham New Street station, as part of 成人论坛 Music Day 2016.

The stately strength and perseverance of gospel has seeped not only into popular culture, but also protest songs. So when sat down to express his horror at South Africa’s apartheid regime, he gave his song a gospel lilt - suggesting grace under pressure - and an uplifting, choral ending to symbolise hope of change. This pared-back rendition for loses none of the impact, four voices proving to be every bit as powerful as a full choir.

Similarly, this song is powerfully associated with the American Civil Rights Movement, which drew a lot of strength and guidance from the church. It delivers a message of fortitude and persistence that proved to be both inspiring and reassuring in times of great turmoil. This powerful version comes from the choir of Maria Fidelis FCJ Catholic School in London, winners of the 成人论坛’s 2010 School Choir of the Year competition.

Joseph M. Scriven wrote the words to this much-loved sentimental hymn in 1855 as a poem to comfort his mother, after leaving his native Ireland to work in Canada. It was given its mournful, redemptive melody by 13 years later. The beauty of this arrangement for is that the full glory of the melody doesn’t reveal itself fully until the second verse, creating an overwhelming wash of familiarity and emotion.

Another moment of crossover between pop and gospel, Never Ever takes for a starting point Amazing Grace, a song with melodic roots in the early 19th century American Protestant revival. It’s a stirring tune, one that provides strength and hope whether sung by a full gospel choir or a bagpipe band. added heartbreak to the mix, and a lightly funky beat underneath.

Just as popular music has drawn influence from gospel, so gospel choirs have come to perform those songs in the pop canon that explore spiritual matters. Here the London Community Gospel Choir, singing backstage at Glastonbury 2010, draw out the devotional themes of ’s One, a song about forgiveness and the hope of redemption. And they round it off with a version of the American spiritual standard Swing Low Sweet Chariot, joined by the sweet voice of their interviewer, 成人论坛 Radio 6 Music’s .

2016 was an exceptional year for fans of Leicester City football club, who defied all the odds to win the Premier League. Exploring the spiritual uplift of singing supportive chants to their favourite players during a match, Foxes fan Lee Jobber enlisted the help of De Montfort University gospel choir to sing some of their best terrace songs properly, and the result is more moving than you might imagine.