Debates are heating up after a Florida college abruptly canceled the performance of a celebrity singing group over the sexuality of at least one member.
The King’s Singers are a highly regarded British a cappella ensemble with a history spanning more than 50 years. The all-male group performs a range of songs including pop music, classical arrangements and sacred music.
The group says a Feb. 11 concert at Pensacola Christian College was canceled “two hours in advance” due to “‘concerns’ about the ‘lifestyles’ of members of our group.”
“We have realized through a flurry of correspondence from students and citizens that these concerns pertain to the sexuality of members of our group.” read a statement from the group shared on social media.
Pensacola Christian College, a private, independent Baptist institution, released a statement explaining their rationale.
“PCC canceled a concert with The King’s Singers after learning that one of the artists was openly cultivating a lifestyle contrary to Scripture,” the statement said.
A section relating to sexuality in the school’s Articles of Faith states, “We believe that God commanded that sexual activity be reserved exclusively for a man and woman who are legally married to each other.” It goes on to say that Scripture prohibits “sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, sodomy, incest, and the use of pornography.”
The college also said the artists were “treated with dignity and respect when informed of the cancellation.”
The King’s Singers said they had performed in college before.
The controversy has resonated both within the small liberal arts college and beyond. Fans and supporters of the group questioned and mentioned PCC’s reasoning the performance of the university in recent years featuring works by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Francis Poulenc, two titans of classical music widely known to have had male romantic interests.
College supporters praised the commitment of the institution on her interpretation of the Bible, which she calls “the basis of our sincere faith”.
On the PCC campus, the incident is still fresh in the minds of students. A student told WEAR News that there have been “arguments and mini-protests” in the days since.
“I understand the college and their views,” the student said. “And I think they think they made the best decision for college. But I just don’t think it was morally right.”
CNN has reached out to both The King’s Singers and Pensacola Christian College for further comment.