Cory Henry's residency at Yale explores the power of gospel music

Cory Henry

The Yale Institute of Sacred Music welcomed GRAMMY-winning artist Cory Henry for a dynamic two-day residency on April 21–22, 2026, bringing together performance, scholarship, and worship in a vibrant exploration of Black gospel music. Across a series of public events—many shared via livestream—the residency drew students, scholars, and community members into a rich exchange of musical creativity and critical reflection.

The residency opened with the “Playing in the Spirit” masterclass at Immanuel Baptist Church, where Henry engaged student composers, reflected on his musical and spiritual roots, and led an electrifying session of collaborative music-making with a New Haven community choir. The following day at Yale Divinity School began with a Creative Liturgy in Marquand Chapel, blending worship and performance in a powerful service featuring Henry. The day continued with the symposium “Hard Gospel: Blackness, Belief, Aesthetics,” where leading scholars examined the musical lineage and contemporary debates surrounding gospel performance practices, particularly the expressive styles often described as “singing hard.”

During his visit, Henry also contributed to the Oral History of American Music, adding his voice to its Major Figures in American Music collection. A Brooklyn native and one of today’s most influential artists across gospel, soul, and funk, Henry—fresh off his 2025 GRAMMY win for Church—brought both virtuosity and insight to his time at Yale. Presented by the Institute’s Interdisciplinary Program in Music and the Black Church, directed by Braxton Shelley, the residency offered a compelling look at the creative, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of gospel music, continuing a tradition of hosting leading voices in the field.

View the masterclass recording.

Learn more about the Music and the Black Church program.

Enjoy the photo highlights below. Photos by Harold Shapiro. 

Photo highlights