For United in Praise president Taliyah Thomas, the experience was a reminder of the joy that fuels gospel performance. “Sometimes as busy students we get to rehearsal and just want to get it done, but Troy helped me remember to be excited about gospel music,” she said.

The following evening, Anthony and the Fire Ensemble performed “The Revival” in Duke Chapel. Structured like a church service, the program included an invocation, sermon, responsive readings and music designed to engage the audience as participants.

Anthony said the performance carried historical meaning as well. “To enter Duke Chapel designed by a Black man [Julian Abele] who wasn’t even able to go in there during Jim Crow times and then to perform in that space was very special to me and I don’t take it lightly.”

To read more about the community sing and the performance of “The Revival: It is Our Duty,” visit Duke Arts.