Kevin Scott, Conductor
Avery Sharpe Sextet
Extended Family Choir, Kevin Sharpe, Director
Springfield Symphony Chorus, Nikki Stoia, Director
PROGRAM
J. Rosamund Johnson & J. Weldon Johnson – Lift Every Voice and Sing
Arr. Ronald Carter
Courtney Bryan – White Gleam of Our Bright Star
Frederick Tillis – Three Symphonic Spirituals
- We Shall Overcome
- Deep River
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Trevin Bond, Bass Soloist
Wanda Rivera and Heshima Moja, Vocal Solists
INTERMISSION
Avery Sharpe – 400: An African American Musical Portrait
- Arrival
- Is There A Way Home
- Fiddler
- Colonial Life
- Antebellum
- A New Music
- Harlem and the War to End All Wars
- Blues and World War II
- Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody
- 500
Mark your calendars for our second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day concert! Join us at Symphony Hall as we celebrate this pivotal moment in history with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, alongside Kevin Sharpe and The Extended Family Choir and the Springfield Symphony Chorus.
Conductor Kevin Scott returns to lead the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in a free concert featuring a collection of classical and spiritual music. With powerful themes of freedom, hope, and unity, we hope you will join us for an afternoon of celebration, inspiration, and pure musical joy!
The concert will also feature the premiere of Avery Sharpe’s ‘400 Project’.
Prior to the concert, at 2pm, we’ll be hosting a flag-raising ceremony, setting the tone for a day of commemoration and celebration. We also invite you to explore the mahogany room filled with local vendors, showcasing their unique offerings. And don’t miss out on the opportunity to grab limited edition Juneteenth t-shirts available for purchase on site.
As a cultural organization in Western Massachusetts, our mission is to unite our community through the power of music, highlighting the enduring impact of this historic moment in our nation’s narrative. Join us as we come together in harmony to honor Juneteenth and celebrate the journey towards freedom and equality.
To become a sponsor or support this Free to the Public event please contact: Heather Gawron, hgawron@springfieldsymphony.org.
