Morgan State University’s choir director, Eric Conway will have the opportunity of a lifetime to perform for Pope Francis during a family outdoor festival in Philadelphia on the last day of his historical U.S. tour Saturday.

Invited by legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin to play a supporting role for her, Dr. Conway will be directing a Philadelphia-based choir called the “Philadelphia Heritage Chorale” for the Sept. 26th “Festival of Families”.

The closing ceremony for the triennial World Meeting of Families Conference. Other notable performers such as indie band The Fray, Sister Sledge, Andrea Bocellii, Juanes, and The Philadelphia Orchestra will also be a part of this historical event, performing before an expected crowd of 1 million people.

“I’m scared to death, this is huge!” said Dr. Conway when reading the details of the Festival of Families event on his desktop in awe.
“The more I read, the more I realize that this is going to be a bigger event than I thought it would be.”

Though Dr. Conway plays down his role stating that this is not his gig–it’s Aretha Franklin’s– this will become one the biggest event he has ever performed in his career.

It’s not often someone who has directed one of the most prestigious university choral ensembles in the nation to play to an expected audience of 1 million people.