The Visual Ministry Choir, VMC in breve, è costituito da alcuni tra i più famosi musicisti e cantanti del panorama gospel inglese; la particolare abilità vocale fa di loro un gruppo estremamente eclettico, capace di spaziare dal gospel tradizionale al contemporaneo, che ha conquistato nel tempo sempre maggiore successo e popolarità.
I Visual Ministries sono famosissimi in tutta la Gran Bretagna anche grazie alle numerosissime apparizioni televisive e alla partecipazione a moltissimi eventi seguiti a livello nazionale, tra i quali si segnalano alcune esibizioni alla presenza della Regina Elisabetta, spettacoli al Wembley Stadium, nella cattedrale di St Martin in the Fields e alla Royal Dublin Society per il Presidente irlandese, con una spettacolare rivisitazione del Messiah di Haendel.
Hanno inoltre collaborato, sia per le registrazioni che durante le esibizioni dal vivo, con artisti del calibro di Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Jane Mc Donald, i Duran Duran e i Westlife.
Per quanto riguarda la discografia, è importante segnalare il loro primo cd, intitolato Visually Speaking; da ricordare inoltre il CD Perfect Day, insieme con Elton John, David Bowie e gli U2 che ha venduto quasi due milioni di copie, il cui ricavato è stato devoluto all’associazione benefica Children in Aid.
I Visual Ministries si esibiscono regolarmente in tournée in tutta Europa, riscuotendo invariabilmente un successo strepitoso di pubblico e critica.
Il gruppo è composto da 14 elementi.
The Visual Ministry Choir or VMC for short, has been drawn together with some of today’s leading vocalists and musicians to be found within the British Gospel Music scene in order to sustain its ranks of unbridled talent and ability. Originally formed in 1996, the VMC has since forged a reputation for creating its own unique brand of gospel music that has done much to increase the growing popularity towards the British Gospel sound.
On stage, their unique vocal ability has become an asset by comparison with other choirs of the same genre. Evidence of this fact can be seen by a list of accomplishments that continues to grow with credibility and respect including an abundance of television appearances such as: The Michael Barrymore Show, The Big Breakfast, Sky 1’s The Dream Team, The Lee Evans Show, The Generation Game with Jim Davidson, The Eleventh Hour, Saturday Night Live, The Mag, London Tonight, The Jonathan Ross Show, Songs Of Praise, Sunday Morning Programme for Anglia TV, Channel 5s Alpha Zone, EMMA Awards, and Wogan.
The VMC has also supported a variety of recording artists both in the recording studio, on stage as well as in front of the television cameras including: Carlene Anderson (Children In Need), Basha, Sarah Brightman & Duran Duran (New Years Live Show BBC), Terry Callier, Mariah Carey (Top Of The Pops), Dina Carol, Cleopatra (Cleopatra In The House) Coolio (Top Of The Pops), Gloria Estafan (The 1996 Theme Song For The Olympics), Jools Holland (Tonight With Jools Holland), Jane McDonald at The Royal Albert Hall and finally they appeared on the video of top boy band Westlife on their number 1 hit single Flying Without Wings.
In the field of National events, Corporate Entertainment and Hospitality, the VMC have endorsed their presence with Cadbury’s, Coca Cola, Saatchi & Saatchi (Top Advertising Company), Selfridges, Harrods, The Natural History Museum, British Telecom, Ministry of Defence, Carlton Television Launch, The Hogmanay Festival (1998 Edinburgh), The Millennium Dome (attended by Sir Cliff Richards) and also performed at Wembley Stadium prior to an England football match. The VMC have also performed in front of Her Majesty The Queen on two separate occasions to celebrate Commonwealth Day along with Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major respectively, and also sang at a private function held at the home of newspaper tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and also sang with well known and much loved Australian Rolf Harris at a private function. The Choir have performed alongside Chaka Khan, Roger Daltry, Jeffrey Osbourne and Gladys Knight at the Royal Dublin Society in Ireland in front of the President of Ireland in an exciting and spectacular reworking of the Handel’s Messiah. The choir also performed at the prestigious and most publicised wedding of top TV Sports Presenter Gabby Yorath and Rugby hero Kenny Logan. The choir also performed at the Conference of world renowned TV Evangelist/Speaker Morris Cerullo at Earls Court. The choir recently performed at the Stephen Lawrence 10th Anniversary Memorial Service which took place at St Martins-in-the-Field Church in Trafalgar Square and were also special guests at the prestigious 75th Birthday Celebration of Dr Maya Angelou (the renowned African-American writer whose works inspire millions world wide) and received as standing ovation from Dr Maya Angelou. They choir also joined famous soul singer Heather Small for a special collaboration dedicated to Dr Maya Angelou.
However, in spite of the above plaudits, the VMC has ensured its place in musical history when they appeared on Perfect Day, a song that sold over 1.7 Million copies in aid of the charity Children In Need and featured such prominent artists as: Joan Armatrading, Bono from U2, David Bowie, Boyzone, Elton John and Tom Jones to name but a few. Their stirring melody featured at the end of the song, typifies in depth – their sublime quality and professionalism.
In 1998 the VMC released their debut album entitled Visually Speaking. Here, the VMC have become the embodiment of what they stand for as a Gospel choir where their album has already received both critical acclaim and support throughout the Christian music industry both here in the UK and Europe after the choir conducted successful tours of both Switzerland, Italy and Poland where they performed in front of the Polish Prime Minister and his officials. VMC recently embarked on a Christmas Tour with Coca Cola throughout the UK. VMC also participated in the much publicised 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. Indeed, these events have moved the VMC on to another level of achievement, something that has so far been the hallmark of their success.Furthermore, the diversity of talent and style as possessed in depth by the VMC means that their ability to sing in a moving traditional style or in line with today’s growing trend for a more contemporary sound, will not prove to be a hindrance or stumbling block to anyone seeking to use the sounds of a gospel choir whatever the purpose or occasion. Needless to say however, the result will always prove to be the same time and time again…..Outstanding!