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Gospel Quartet Festivals

Quartet music is one of the oldest and most traditional forms of gospel. The word "quartet" usually denotes four male voices, but its definition has expanded to include several traditions of singing in harmony. Every year, quartet festivals take place across the country. Some are small local events, while others draw performers and fans from across the country. Most are held during the summer. This is a guide to some of the most notable festivals.

  1. National Quartet Convention

    • Every year, Louisville, Kentucky, plays host to one of the largest gospel quartet festivals in the country. Over the 50 years of its existence, the National Quartet Convention (NQC) has expanded from a three-day festival into a massive six-day event featuring daily concerts and events. The exhibit hall plays host to over 500 vendors, musicians and other industry professionals. The convention draws music fans, church groups, musicians and agents. It's best to purchase tickets early--the NQC begins selling seats a year in advance, and most concerts sell out well before the convention begins.

    James D. Vaughan Festival

    • The James D. Vaughan festival is held every July in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. This festival is a good choice for those interested in the history of Southern gospel music. Lawrenceburg is generally recognized as the birthplace of the music form. The festival is sponsored by the nearby James D. Vaughan museum, which is dedicated to the history of gospel and Vaughan's role in it. The festival features Southern gospel quartets almost exclusively .

    Blue Mountain Gospel Music Festival

    • This Lebanon, Pennsylvania-based festival showcases a number of quartets and small ensembles every year during Labor Day weekend. It draws thousands of people from several nearby states. Tickets generally go on sale in March, and usually cost from $20 to $30. The festival puts on an average of three concerts a day, including daily chapel services. Camping is available on the Lebanon fairgrounds for $16 per day, with electricity and water hookups for an additional fee.

    Sunflower River Blues And Gospel Festival

    • This festival takes place in Clarksdale, Mississippi, during the second week of August. Clarksdale is in Coahoma County, an area rich in blues and gospel history. There are many historical sites throughout the area. The festival has a blend of blues and traditional gospel music on six stages, including a specific venue for quartets. Several inns and hotels are located nearby, but no camping is available. An excursion train takes visitors to the nearby Hopson Plantation, which was once one of the largest cotton farming operations in the country.

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