On Wednesday, April 8, The Collingsworth Family will perform at the Howard Performing Arts Center as part of their Classics & Hymns Spring Tour 2026. Calling themselves “the Von Trapp family of gospel music,” the family sextet aims to “give the talent God has loaned them back to their Creator as a sacrifice of praise” through their music ministry.
Kim and Phil Collingsworth first met in 1983 at Union Bible College in Indiana, when Phil’s sister introduced them. A few years later, Phil, who majored in trumpet performance at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and Kim, who has been proficient in piano since a young age and helped arrange music for UBC’s touring groups, played their first gig at a church camp in Michigan. After 14 years of performing at similar events, between work and raising kids, they decided to begin professionally recording and touring full-time. Their children, Brooklyn, Courtney, Phil Jr. and Olivia, joined their ministry, providing vocals and, in the case of Brooklyn and Courtney, also violin accompaniment.
Since becoming a full-time, full-family affair in 2000, the Gaither-associated group has made regular appearances at Gaither Homecoming Concerts and featured on the popular Southern Gospel radio program The Gospel Greats. In fact, the group is quite popular within Southern gospel circles. Usually held during the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Singing News magazine presents annual Southern Gospel awards, which are voted on by the magazine’s subscribers. From 2012-2020, and continuing from 2022-2024, The Collingsworth Family has received the award for Favorite Mixed Group. Each of the children has been awarded Favorite Young Artist (in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively), and Kim received Favorite Musician from 2013 to 2020 and then again in 2022 and 2023. Their 2018 album “Mercy & Love” was voted Favorite Album in 2019.
They have also received acclaim in other spheres as well. Their music video for “Fear Not Tomorrow” won a Dove Award for Long Form Video of the Year, and they were nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album at the Grammys in 2018 for the album “The Best of the Collingsworth Family.” Possibly more important in the digital age, their songs have gotten curated playlist placements on streaming platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music. From their over 20 albums, their website boasts 30 songs that have charted in the Top 40, including “Praise the Lord,” from their latest album “Classics & Hymns,” which reached No. 7.
That album, for which the family’s current tour was named, has been said to contain “beautifully executed songs with timeless messages” as a testament to the Collingsworth family’s “musical versatility and talent.”
To hear their “seamless harmonies and lush scores” live in concert, come to the HPAC next Wednesday. Tickets are on sale for $28.75 for general admission, with free admission for children under 14, and can be found here.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.