Sing at Carnegie Hall with Pastor James C. Ward and Antioch-Lithonia Baptist Church Choir

ATLANTA—Singers from all backgrounds are invited to perform with Pastor James C. Ward, noted choral composer and pastor of Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 28, 2026.

This trip will be the church’s second appearance at Carnegie Hall following its performance of the modern-day classic, Christmas Dreams, in 2023. Responding to the overwhelming feedback from those who missed that performance, Pastor Ward is opening the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interested individual singers and groups who would like to go on the upcoming trip.

“After the performance in 2023, several people said they would have gone with us, if they had known about it. So, we are reaching out this time to invite individuals and groups who would like to take advantage of this endeavor to join us,” Pastor Ward said. “One of the primary advantages of performing with us is no audition is required. However, it is expected that all performers know the music before arriving in NYC.

Pastor Ward said he will hold several choir rehearsals at Antioch-Lithonia MBC leading up to the performance, and scores and audio demos will be provided as CDs or Mp3s for singers at no additional costs.

“For uniformity, folders containing the  sheet music will be used for the  performance and the rehearsals in NYC will be namely for phrasing, dynamics, and to add other final touches,” he added.

Singers who want to be part of the performance are required to pay the $1,300 performance fee as stipulated by Carnegie Hall. That fee, Pastor Ward said, is separate from all other expenses such as lodging, food and travel. The Carnegie Hall fee includes being listed in Carnegie Hall’s official program, professional concert photography, and the chance to work with world-class musicians and conductors during rehearsals, he said.

“Once we know the number of people performing and family and friends attending, we will have a travel agent book the rooms. Participants also may make their own lodging and travel arrangements to take advantage of frequent flyer points and other discounts,” Pastor Ward said.

Pastor Ward has led Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church since 1995. The church’s rich legacy includes leadership from notable pastors such as the Rev. Adam Daniel Williams, maternal grandfather of Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Founded in 1869 by a group of freedmen, the church originally was named Antioch Baptist Church and later renamed Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church.  Believed to be the oldest Black church in DeKalb County, its granite structure, which served the congregation from 1911 until 2004, is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area. The church’s current 23-acre campus and larger sanctuary was built at 2152 Rock Chapel Road in unincorporated Lithonia under Pastor Ward’s leadership.

In addition to embracing ministry expansion, Pastor Ward has continued the church’s rich history of providing uplifting sermons, spiritual growth, and community service through its many ministries to equip, empower and educate.

A Morehouse College and Glee Club alumnus, Pastor Ward has achieved international recognition as a composer with more than 250, 000 copies of his sheet music sold worldwide. His acclaimed works include King Jesus Is Alive, O Sing Unto the Lord, The Heritage Hymn, A Bundle of Straw, New Star, and Nothin’ But Glory. Pastor Ward was commissioned by Texas A&M and Prairie View Universities, jointly, to provide a new arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing. After much soul-searching, he accepted the commission, because Lift Every Voice and Sing is almost a sacred composition and Roland Carter’s arrangement is the established gold standard. Immediately upon completion, the arrangement was published by Shawnee Press. Pastor Ward’s compositions were recorded at Disney Studios and five have been honored with the prestigious JW Pepper Editors’ Choice Award.

NYC Trip Highlights:

• Perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
• Be listed in Carnegie Hall’s official program.
• Professional concert photography, with digital and print options available.
• Work with world-class musicians and conductors in NYC rehearsals.
• Key Dates:
• Thursday, June 25, 2026 Arrival in NYC
• June 26-27, 2026: Rehearsals (4 hours each day)
• Sunday, June 28, 2026: Dress rehearsal and concert
• Monday, June 29, 2026: Departure
• Participation Details:
• Fee: $1,300 (covers Carnegie Hall residency/orchestra costs; non-refundable unless Carnegie cancels).
• $300 due Oct. 1, 2025
• $350 due Dec. 1, 2025
• $650 due April 15, 2026

Lodging, travel, food and incidental expenses excluded.

For more information about the Carnegie Hall trip, contact 770-482-1277, email  pastorjames.c.ward@gmail.com , or visit the church’s website at antiochlithonia.org (go to Upcoming Events and look for Carnegie Hall).

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church is located at 2152 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia, GA.