TICKETS to see the five-time Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir are now being offered at a reduced price.

The group is scheduled to perform at the National Sports Centre in September as part of events commemorating the third anniversary of the World Trade Centre disaster.

The decision to reduce the price of admission was made by the event's organisers, Cornerstone Bible Fellowship. According to Pastor Gary Simons, it is hoped that the cheaper admission will enable more residents to attend. Initially priced at $70 for adults and $40 for children, the tickets are now available at $20 each.

"While $70 is a fair and realistic price for a concert by a world-class choir such as the Brooklyn Tabernacle, we recognise that cost may be prohibitive for some people, especially families and young people," explained Pastor Simons.

"We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to be part of this event and for it to be available to the average person. This event is a call to our nation to remember loved ones and celebrate new life. It's an event for everybody and we want all of Bermuda to be able to come."

To be held at the National Sports Centre, the concert will mark the Choir's first visit to Bermuda as well as the third anniversary of the World Trade Centre disaster.

The programme will include personal life stories including that of Brooklyn Tabernacle member Genelle Guzman-McMillan, the last person rescued alive from Ground Zero.

It will also see tribute paid to the Bermudians who lost their lives as a result of terrorists' activities on September 11, and during Hurricane Fabian.

"Under the banner 'Triumph Over Tragedy . . . Voices of Hope', the event is a call for Bermuda to turn from violence to peace and celebrate our lives together," Pastor Simons added. The 10,000-congregation Brooklyn Tabernacle church on Smith Street, Brooklyn, was at the centre of New York City's recovery from 9/11, helping to counsel and support survivors and their families. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, directed by Carol Cymbala, has recorded more than ten best-selling albums. Its latest release is The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Live . . . This Is Your House.

Tickets to the September 4 concert are available at all CellularONE locations, the Esso Automart at Collector's Hill, the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, the Christian Bookstore, Foreign Cargo, Jamaican Grill on Court Street and All Talk in St. George's.

Tickets may also be purchased online at www.boxoffice.bm. These tickets, however, carry a surcharge of ten per cent.

Tickets will be offered at the reduced rate until August 21, or until sold out.

q For more information about The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Concert, contact 295-9640.