L.A. Faith Communities Unite for “Sounds of Faith” Interfaith Concert Oct. 18

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faith communities from across Los Angeles will unite for the inaugural “Sounds of Faith 2026: Seasons of Love — Celebrating Religious Freedom,” a free interfaith concert on Sunday, October 18, at 6 p.m. at the Wilshire Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1209 S. Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA 90019. The gathering comes at a significant moment for Los Angeles, as faith communities navigate religious tensions as well as deeply-held differences in belief, doctrine and values. Against that backdrop, Sounds of Faith offers a different message: people do not have to agree on every question of faith, family or society to respect one another, build meaningful relationships and stand together in support of religious freedom, unity and peace. The concert is free and open to all. Reservations are required, and seating is limited.

Reservations are available at SoundsOfFaith2026.eventbrite.com.

“This is not about asking anyone to surrender deeply held beliefs,” said Shanna Nussbaum, Director of Communication for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “It is about creating relationships across faith communities and remembering that our differences do not have to keep us from standing beside one another.” Each participating community will share music reflecting its own religious or cultural tradition, while performers will also join in a combined opening and finale celebrating faith, hope and unity. “We want to highlight the pluralism that is the fabric of Los Angeles, states Father Alexei, Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, “What better way than with music?”

“In the City of Angels, our many faiths, cultures and traditions bring beauty and strength to our community. Tonight we come together in a spirit of love, joy and peace, untied by the belief that we can bring greater light into the lives of others. Music has the power to lift our hearts, bridge our differences and remind us of all that unites us,” Elder John L. Merrill, Area Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints proclaims, “May  the light we share tonight shine beyond these walls, filling our homes, neighborhoods and city with greater love, hope and joy,” The evening will feature musical traditions of African American gospel, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu and Sikh faiths narrated by Lloyd D. Newell, who served for 34 years as announcer and writer for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s internationally broadcast “Music & the Spoken Word.” Organizers see the concert as an annual event to strengthen relationships among faith communities — relationships that can become especially meaningful during periods of misunderstanding, fear or conflict.

EVENT DETAILS
Sounds of Faith 2026: Seasons of Love — Celebrating Religious Peace & Unity
Sunday, October 18, 2026 — 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Wilshire Chapel – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1209 S. Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA 90019

FREE — ALL ARE WELCOME
Reservations required. Seating is limited: SoundsOfFaith2026.eventbrite.com

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School Choir
• AME Gospel Choir
• Sikh Chanting & prayer
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Los Angeles Missionaries, Soloist Jordan Conover & Nauvoo Young Performing Missionaries Alumni w. Children who performed at the Hollywood Bowl with Donny Osmond
• Muslim – Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation & Masjid At-Thohir: drums and bamboo sticks ensembles
• Hindu – Vedanta Society of Southern California- chanting
• Jewish – Valley Outreach Synagogue, Broadway singer Rabbi Li-Paz
• Blowing of the Shofar

MEDIA / PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
5:00 pm: Interviews with Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh Leaders / Church tour of 1920 Spanish church with Stained glas Faith leaders. Joint or individual interviews with Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh leaders/ participants (e.g. Rabbi Ron Li-Paz, Fr. Alexei Smith – L.A. Archdiocese , Dafir Kalil, USC Dean of Religious Life, Swami Yogana, Hindu monk) discussing the importance of relationships across religious communities at this moment in Los Angeles
6:00 pm: PHOTO/B-ROLL OPS
5:00 – 7:30 LIVE SHOTS AVAILABLE

Press Contacts:
Shanna Nussbaum, Director of Communication, Los Angeles Area
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
818-331-0955
shanna@hinuss.com

Father Alexei Smith, Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese
310-322-1892
frarsmith@la-archdiocese.org

Chancee Matorell, Director of Communication, Los Angeles Stake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
213-280-8189
chancee2@msn.com

EVENT FLYER HERE (JPEG Version)