Flathead High graduate to perform at nation’s 250th jubilee

When Cole Knutson first joined choir at Kalispell Middle School, it was at the insistence of his mother. He loved piano, which he learned to play at the age of five, but wasn’t all that thrilled about singing.  

At the time, he never could have imagined that he would fall in love with choir, or that it would lead him to Washington, D.C. to perform in front of the nation’s highest leaders in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

Knutson, a 2024 Flathead High School graduate, is a member of Critical Mass, the premier choir group at Grand Canyon University where he just wrapped up his sophomore year. The ensemble was invited to perform in the nation’s capital as part of the May 17 event “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving.” 

The event, scheduled to take place on the National Mall, is organized by Freedom 250, a nonpartisan organization formed to spearhead the festivities in honor of the 250th anniversary of the 1776 founding of the United States of America.  

Freedom 250 is kicking off several months of celebration with Rededicate 250. According to the organization, the event is “a national day of prayer, praise and thanksgiving on the National Mall, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. It is a historic gathering to give thanks for God's providence, reflect on our nation's story, and rededicate America as One Nation under God.” 

Critical Mass joins musical performers including renowned contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin and military bands from the U.S. Marine Corp, Navy and Air Force. Knutson said Critical Mass plans to perform three gospel-inspired songs for their performance: “I Shall Not Be Moved,” “Go Down Moses” and “Where Could I Go?” 

As a sophomore, this is Knutson’s first year in the selective, audition-based choral group that boasts 14 members and serves as Grand Canyon University’s musical ambassador. They perform in a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from spiritual and classic to contemporary, jazz, Broadway and more.  

Knutson said the selection process for Jubilee 250 was a whirlwind: The group received notice that they were being considered and, true to their “always ready to perform” reputation, recorded a few songs on the spot. Within 24 hours, they were invited to Washington, D.C. to perform. 

Knutson has already logged more than 100 performances around the state of Arizona, including Major League Baseball games, churches, schools and 13 Grand Canyon University graduations. 

The National Mall, though, certainly represents the biggest stage to date for both Knutson and Critical Mass. He said performing for Jubilee 250 is an incredible opportunity for his first year in the group, and the chance to perform alongside so many talented groups in celebration of a national milestone is the pinnacle of why he fell in love with choir in the first place.  

“I love being a part of something greater than myself and putting in my skills and talents behind the scenes to make something awesome,” he said. “Being able to sing with other people is just something you can't really get with anything else. Being a musician, collaboration is the greatest and most satisfying part of performance.” 

While at Flathead High School, much of Knutson’s time revolved around choir, which he said was the highlight of his time on the campus. He credited Choir Director Jennifer Stephens with pushing him to pursue his musical interests. 

Knutson is studying music education at Grand Canyon University these days with a focus on choral music. His goal is to one day be a choir teacher himself, despite his middle school misgivings.  

“I fell in love with it very fast and just stuck with it, even hopefully into my career someday,” he said. 

REDEDICATE 250 is scheduled to fall on the anniversary of a day of prayer and fasting established on May 17, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress.  

“In times of impending calamity and distress; when the liberties of America are imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an insidious and vindictive administration, it becomes the indispensable duty of these hitherto free and happy colonies, with true penitence of heart, and the most reverent devotion, publicly to acknowledge the over ruling providence of God,” reads the proclamation that inspired the jubilee.  

Notable speakers from the federal government include U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 

Prominent religious figures are also slated to speak, including Franklin Graham, son of televangelist Billy Graham and leader of Samaritan’s Purse. Bishop Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, who leads America’s oldest Jewish congregation in New York City, will share their perspectives on faith in the U.S. Jonathan Roumie, the actor best known for portraying Jesus in the hit television series “The Chosen” will also make an appearance.  

Along with Rededicate 250, Freedom 250 is hosting a slate of other events in the coming months. These include a Memorial Day celebration, a Fourth of July “Salute to America,” the Great American State Fair and the first ever Patriot Games athletic competition for American high schoolers.   

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or eericksen@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

    Cole Knutson (front row, second from right) is a member of Grand Canyon University's ensemble choir Critical Mass, which is performing on the National Mall for the 250th Anniversary of the United States. (Courtesy Grand Canyon University)