Photos by Ralph Freso
The fireworks will sparkle extra bright this Fourth of July as the country approaches its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
To honor the milestone, national nonpartisan organization America250 has been leading celebratory events throughout the country since Memorial Day 2025 and has invited Grand Canyon University’s Critical Mass to participate in a May 17 event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The date coincides with the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Continental Congress proclamation of a national day of fasting and prayer.
The a cappella ensemble, the musical ambassador for the university, is headed to the capital next weekend as one of the performers at Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving, which is designed to reaffirm the country’s biblical foundation through moving messages, personal testimonies and worship music.
“This is probably the biggest stage for Critical Mass,” Chair of Music Dr. Juan de Dios Hernandez said. “This event reflects who we are, a jubilee for prayer and praise.”
National leaders, public servants and government officials will take the stage with special addresses, while several musical performers will lead the crowd in praise and worship.
Speakers will include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson, and Bishop Robert Barron.
Included on the musical slate will be Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin, Hillsong Young & Free member Aodhan King, two-time Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes, Liberty University Praise, the Hillsdale College Choir and the United States Navy Band.
Thousands are expected to gather at the once-in-a-lifetime national event to celebrate the spiritual rebirth of the country, give thanks for the 250 years and remember the call to be "one nation under God."
“This really centers around what we do,” Hernandez said. “We do a lot of things, but the primary thing we do is share the Christian faith in whatever context we are.”
Coming out of its two-week stretch of performing at 13 commencement ceremonies for campus and online students and additional program concerts outside of campus, Critical Mass is one of the university’s most active musical groups.
From spiritual and classic to contemporary, jazz, Broadway and more, the group surpasses 100 performances throughout the academic year, with more than 50 pieces in its repertoire.
But performing at Rededicate250 will be one of the most extraordinary opportunities the group has had, related the music faculty, with GCU students sharing their talents on a massive platform.
For recent graduate Ben Sparling, the opportunity is extra special. As a history major and a Critical Mass member, the performance will combine his two worlds.
“I am geeked about this. American history is my bread and butter,” Sparling said. “The idea of combining performing, the passion I have for this craft, and this love I have for history, the subject and discipline, that is going to make it all worth staying here (on campus before going home to Colorado) for an extra three weeks.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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