According to Town & Country, Buckingham Palace released a statement regarding the coronation, sharing details about next month’s ceremony:

“A life-long music enthusiast and champion of the arts, His Majesty has overseen, influenced and been personally involved in the commissioning process and the detail of the music programme, which will showcase and celebrate musical talent from across the United Kingdom and further afield,” the statement read in part.

It noted the “musical commissions offer contemporary interpretations of centuries of musical tradition, bringing together world-class composers, who are some of the most esteemed living artists from across the Classical, Sacred, Film, Television and Musical Theatre fields. They have taken varied approaches to their compositions – whether for orchestra, solo voice or choir – resulting in a diverse and accessible musical programme.”

Town & Country reported, “Twelve newly-commissioned pieces composed and performed by a diverse range of artists will feature alongside traditional works.” In addition, those performing the commissioned pieces will include a “hand-picked gospel choir” known as The Ascension Choir.

The Ascension Choir, led by Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah, will sing “Alleluia (O Sing Praises)” during the service as a piece of a two-part composition by TV and film composer Debbie Wiseman, who was commissioned to write music for the event. The Ascension Choir will include several Kingdom Choir members who performed at the Sussexes’ wedding. The Telegraph stated the choir would be the first gospel group to perform in Westminster Abbey for a coronation.

Wiseman said the choir, comprised of four male and four female singers, is “supremely professional, talented and experienced.”

She added King Charles chose Amoako-Gyampah, and she’s written a “special piece” for her and the choir. Wiseman also shared they’ve been “rehearsing it together” and “it will warm everyone’s hearts.”

The Kingdom Choir performed a rendition of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” at the Sussexes’ 2018 wedding. The moving interpretation was assumed to be Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s brainchild, but King Charles invited the choir to perform.

The Ascension Choir won’t be the only historic performance at the coronation. According to Aberdeen Live, composer Paul Mealor has penned a new piece of music for the ceremony, marking the first time someone sings in Welsh at a coronation.

King Charles III’s coronation will be held on May 6.