Working with spirituals has changed my life. The songs first sung by enslaved Africans in the U.S. have pulled from me an emotional depth that I didn’t know was there. To sing the songs well, you must inhabit those parts of yourself that are broken, tired and scared, yet also resilient, hopeful and strong. I love singing and directing this music. It requires that I, as the director, step out of my comfort zone and talk about real emotions with my ensemble and inhabit those spaces myself as I am conducting the music. It is my hope that our singers and audiences receive the wisdom of these songs -- that regardless of what life presents to you, you never lose your hope for a better day. There is a Balm in Gilead! There is a brighter day coming. This perspective has transformed me from a cynical, small person into someone who aspires to inhabit the perspective of hope for me, my family and our world. May you find this hope as you listen today
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- John Hubert, Artistic Director
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CONCERT ORDER
The Arvada Chorale
> Daniel, Daniel Servant of the Lord
Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989)
Bob Hunter and Robert Ostrowski, soloists
> Steal Away
Roland Carter (b. 1942)
Ron DeVries, soloist
> There is a Balm in Gilead
Ysaÿe Barnwell (b. 1946)
> Rockin’ Jerusalem
André Thomas (b. 1952)
> I’ve Been in the Storm so Long
Jeffrey Ames (b 1969)
Thalassa Martinez, soloist
> City Called Heaven
Josephine Poelintz (b. 1942)
Laura Brassie, soloist
> John the Revelator
Sean Ivory (b. 1969) & Paul Caldwell (b. 1963)
INTERMISSION
The Spirituals Project
> I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray
Arr. Verolga Nixn (1933–2014)
Dana Portnoy, soprano
> Hear My Prayer
Moses Hogan (1957–2003)
> Opened My Mouth to the Lord
Arr. Raymond Wise (b. 1961)
> Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name
Arr. Brazeal W. Dennard (1929–2010)
George Nelson, baritone
> Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Traditional Spiritual
> This Little Light O’ Mine
Arr. John Wesley Work III (1901–1967)
Dianne Briscoe McKenzie, soprano (Friday) and Ava Kowalski, soprano (Saturday)
> Walk Together Children
Arr. William Henry Smith (1908–1944)
The Arvada Chorale and The Spirituals Project
> Lift Every Voice for Freedom
Arr. Moses Hogan
Pauletta Jackson (Friday) and Abe Hutt (Saturday), narrator
> I Wanna Be Ready
Arr. M. Roger Holland II (b. 1964)
Dianne Briscoe McKenzie, soprano, Selena Gilbert, mezzo soprano, Dana Portnoy, soprano, Michael R. Jordan, bass, and Damien Krzyzek, tenor