Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY, 14614
Add this concert to ICALFirst Inversion continues our twelfth season, “We Are. . .” with the seventh annual Holding On Through Song. This year’s program invites you to reflect on the enduring legacy of the American Negro Spiritual through new and old arrangements of spirituals, new works and improvisations that draw inspiration from the spirituals, and readings that connect the music with insight and relevance for 21st Century communities.
Thanks to a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts and Cultural Initiative through Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF), we are pleased to feature guest artist, Jorell Williams as baritone soloist, pianist, and composer. Williams is no stranger to Rochester audiences, having won first prize and audience prize in the 2018 Rochester International Vocal Competition (hosted by the Rochester Oratorio Society) and appearing regularly with Finger Lakes Opera. His precise and sincere approach to singing is echoed in his compositions. His “Americana/Go Down Moses,” for piano, which serves as a solemn centerpiece in the weekend’s program, is a musical meditation born in response to the murder of George Floyd.
Also featured are selections from William’s “Civil Rights Songs” written on texts by Louisville Metro Councilwoman, Dr. Paula McCraney, and William’s arrangement of the spiritual “Oh Freedom” for the choir’s tenors and basses.
This year’s program also includes choral arrangements by acclaimed living composers Marques L.A. Garrett, Shawn Okpebholo, Rosephanye Powell, and Brandon Waddles.
As always, the concerts are offered as a gift to our community, with suggested donations of $25 (or $5 for students) to support our work.