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1/28/2010 - West Side Leader
     

By Roger Durbin

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present the 17th annual Gospel Meets Symphony concert Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall.

Photo courtesy of the Akron Symphony Orchestra

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The legacy of the mixture of symphonic and gospel music, along with the development of local talent, continues as the Akron Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will present the 17th annual Gospel Meets Symphony concert Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall.

Under the direction of ASO Maestro Christopher Wilkins, the concert will blend soloists, the ASO and a 200-voice gospel choir. The mass choir of all those praising voices is a staple of this annual event.

Since its inception 17 years ago, the program has provided for the public performance of African-American composers. This year’s concert will offer two selections from Charles Myrick’s latest musical “The Life of David.” Myrick is well-known for his adaptation of and success with “Paul: A Musical Journey,” which appeared in several local and other venues.

There also will be a performance of a new vocal work (a duet for voice and chorus) that has been composed by ASO bassoonist Cynthia Wulff. According to Brenda Justice, co-chair of Gospel Meets Symphony, Wulff was inspired by the plight of America’s “new homeless.” Specifically, she noticed “homeless people around St. Bernard’s” Roman Catholic Church in Downtown Akron and thought their plight “might easily be anyone’s,” Justice said. That theme will be developed in the work as it’s performed.

The concert also will include a tribute to long-time Gospel Meets Symphony collaborator Clifton Moseley. According to Justice, a plaque will be presented to Moseley at the beginning of the concert, and the song “I Got a Reason” will be performed in his honor before intermission. Additionally, there will be a performance by Lesley Parker Barnes’ YEPAW (The Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop) vocal ensemble, and lobby entertainment from drummers of the Stewart Africentric School.

According to ASO officials, since its inception in 1994, Gospel Meets Symphony has provided funding for an ASO recording project celebrating African-American composers (“American Voices”) and been the subject of two Western Reserve PBS specials, including a documentary (“Gospel Meets Symphony: Celebrating 16 Years!”) and concert broadcast (“Gospel Meets Symphony: Let Freedom Ring!”). The latter was recently picked up for national broadcast by American Public Television and will air on public TV stations throughout the country. It will air again on Western Reserve PBS (45.1/49.1) Feb. 2 at 9 p.m. and on Fusion (45.2/49.2) Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. “Gospel Meets Symphony: Celebrating 16 Years!,” which documents the event’s history, will air on Western Reserve PBS Feb. 1 at 10:30 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets for Gospel Meets Symphony range in price from $15 to $40 and are available by calling the ASO at (330) 535-8131 or the Thomas Hall Box Office at (330) 972-7570 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.

Roger Durbin is professor emeritus of bibliography at The University of Akron. To contact him, email r.durbin@sbcglobal.net.

     

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