Classical Movements Announces Additional Program in Live, Socially-Distanced Outdoor Concert Series

August 17, 2020

Alexandria, VA

 

Classical Movements Announces a New Upcoming Concert:

“Sweet Songs of Sorrow and Joy”*

An Evening of Music Celebrating Civil Rights on the
Anniversary of the March on Washington

 

Saturday, August 29 | 6pm and 7:30pm

Rain date: Sunday, August 30

 

Alexandria Crichlow, soprano | V. Savoy McIlwain, baritone
Dr. Lester Green, piano | Pamela Simonson, narrator

 

Presented in collaboration with
Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA)
“Bringing Color to the Classics”

 

*“God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create—and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations... This is triumphant music.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

In the midst of the continued success of its Sounds of Hope & Harmony outdoor socially-distanced concert series, Classical Movements is delighted to announce a new addition. “Sweet Songs of Sorrow and Joy,” an evening of celebratory and emotional music in honor of the struggle for civil rights in our country, will take place on Saturday, August 29, the anniversary weekend of the 1963 March on Washington. Featuring the talents of soprano Alexandria Crichlow and baritone V. Savoy McIlwain and accompanied by Dr. Lester Green, the concert will be highlighted by special original narration led by Pamela Simonson, co-founder of CAAPA.

 

As Neeta Helms, president of Classical Movements explains: “Since becoming the first since the shutdown to present an evening of live classical music in June and our subsequent series of live concerts for a total of 21 and now 23 live performances, the enthusiastic response by audiences and musicians is an affirmation of our firm commitment to the importance of live music during challenging times. We reflect on the role music has played during other times of conflict – and particularly in response to vital ongoing dialogues about social justice across the country, we are proud to announce this addition to our series in honor of the anniversary of one of the most iconic moments of the Civil Rights Movements. We believe that music has a responsibility to reflect ongoing social dialogues and have made a conscientious effort throughout all of our concerts to showcase music by Black composers, so we are especially proud to present this program that highlights music performed during that historic event and other significant and contemporary compositions that reflect the urgency and emotional resonance of the fight against injustice.”

 

The concert will feature music performed at the March on Washington by such legendary musicians as Mahalia Jackson, Marian Anderson, and Joan Baez, as well as more contemporary works to reflect the legacy of Black American music, such as settings of poems by Langston Hughes, works by Margaret Bonds, one of the first widely recognized Black composers, and contemporary works by Mohammed Fairouz and H. Leslie Adams. The program will take audiences on an immersive journey into the poignant and vibrant musical history of the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

 

Join us at the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street, Classical Movements’ home in Old Town Alexandria – presented in solidarity with musicians who are eager to perform concerts for live audiences once again.

 

Sounds of Hope & Harmony Concert Series

Beginning Saturday, July 25, 2020 and through October, Classical Movements will present a diverse range of ensembles and genres, including rising stars of opera and jazz, the first concert of live choral music, as well as dazzling programs by instrumental chamber ensembles of musicians who are members of the National Symphony Orchestra.

 

World Class Artists, Local Favorites

Other “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” concerts feature a wide range of artists, including established local musicians and rising stars in the world of opera, jazz and musical theatre. Opera lovers will relish an exceptional recital of songs and arias. The August 15 concert features tenor Issachah Savage, an alumnus of Morgan State University and Catholic University, who has performed to acclaim at the Met and many of the greatest opera houses and concert halls in the world, joined by pianist Joy Schreier. His program will include operatic excerpts, spirituals, art songs and repertoire reflecting the ongoing quest for social justice.

 

After memorable contributions to the inaugural concerts on June 20, “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” will welcome more musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra for a final evening of ambitious and imaginative programs of chamber music for string, brass, and wind ensembles on September 19.

 

September 26 features a cabaret performance by charismatic duo of Awa Sal Secka and Christian Douglas, who have delighted audiences in countless theatre productions and cabaret performances and present a selection of musical theatre, jazz and original songs.

 

Choral Music Returns!

Lovers of choral music will rejoice at the opportunity to once again hear live choral music, performed by the Choir of Hope & Harmony, a chamber ensemble of 12 professional singers from the Washington National Cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine and other local choirs, under the direction of Anthony Blake Clark, in a unique set-up to accommodate increased distance between the performers and audience.

 

Including works and arrangements by Byrd, Britten, Panufnik, Coleridge-Taylor, Barnett and others, the program spans 400 years of music and reflects hope and beauty in the midst of the struggles of our time. With great uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of choral singing, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy live choral music.

 

Concerts for the Time of Social Distancing

Seating will be provided for concerts, with chairs wiped down and disinfected between performances. Chairs will have at least six feet between individual or family pairs. To maximize social distancing, seating will be assigned by the presenters; tickets and concert programs will be provided by email. Hand-sanitization stations will be available for audiences as they arrive and exit.

 

Concerts will be presented at 6pm and 7:30pm. Concerts take place rain or shine, but in case of severe weather, the rain date will be the following Sunday.

 

Sounds of Hope & Harmony

Saturday evenings | 6pm, 7:30pm

Rain date: Sunday evening | 6pm, 7:30pm

 

Saturday, August 15, 2020: An Evening of Grand Opera, Italian and American Art Songs

Issachah Savage, tenor | Joy Schreier, piano

 

Gorgeous arias and expressive art songs by Verdi, Wagner, Strauss, Tosti, Donaudy and Margaret Bonds

 

 

Saturday, August 29, 2020: “Sweet Songs of Sorrow and Joy”: An Evening of Civil Rights Songs

Alexandria Crichlow, soprano | V. Savoy McIlwain, baritone
Dr. Lester Green, piano | Pamela Simonson, narrator

 

A program of vibrant, meaningful and historic music, presented by prominent and rising opera stars on the anniversary weekend of the MLK March on Washington for civil rights.

 

 

Saturday, September 12, 2020: “A Brand New Day:” Choral Music Returns!

The Choir of Hope & Harmony

Anthony Blake Clark, conductor

 

Twelve professional singers perform 400 years of compelling choral music by Byrd, Britten, Panufnik, Coleridge-Taylor, Barnett and more on themes of hope in times of uncertainty

 

 

Saturday, September 19, 2020:            “An Evening of Novel Ensembles” – Chamber Music

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra:

Ira Gold, bass | Alexander Jacobsen, bass | Charles Nilles, bass | Jeffrey Weisner, bass

Jamie Roberts, oboe | Paul Cigan, clarinet | Ying Fu, violin
Daniel Foster, viola | Alexander Jacobsen, bass

 

An ambitious, imaginative and eclectic program featuring Prokofiev’s famous Quintet in G minor for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, and double bass and one-of-a-kind arrangements for double-bass quartet of classical and pop hits by Gershwin, Bach, O’Connor, Bjork, A-Ha, Seal and the Beatles.

 

 

Saturday, September 26, 2020: “Cabaret in the Twilight” – Jazz and Musical Theatre

Awa Sal Secka | Christian Douglas

 

The night lights up with jazz, musical theater, and popular music, featuring the music of George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Billy Joel, Sara Bareilles and original music by Awa Sal Secka and Christian Douglas

 

Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2020: Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Special Event

Rain dates: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11

 

More details to be announced. For program updates and ticket details, visit: https://www.classicalmovements.com/secretgardenconcerts/

 

About Classical Movements

The premier concert tour company for the world’s great orchestras and choirs, Classical Movements creates meaningful cultural experiences through music in 145 countries. An industry leader for over a quarter-century, Classical Movements organizes more than 60 tours every year, producing some 200 concerts every season. Producer of two international choral festivals—Ihlombe! in South Africa and Serenade! in Washington, D.C.—and the Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival, in addition, Classical Movements’ Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program has commissioned 97 works from Grammy, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize-winning composers. Winner of Americans for the Arts’ BCA10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts Award, since its founding in 1992, as a truly global company, Classical Movements remains committed to facilitating cultural diplomacy across the world—promoting peace through the medium of music.

About the Rectory

Built in 1785 and the home of Classical Movements’ offices since 2014, the building formerly served as the rectory of the nearby historic Christ Church, once the church of George Washington. Since then, it has been owned by several distinguished Virginians and has been a commercial space since the 1960’s. Located in the heart of beautiful Old Town Alexandria at 711 Princess Street, the Rectory is minutes away from the shops and restaurants of bustling King Street and is easily accessible by bus and metro.

Press Contacts

Alessandra D’Ovidio

Vice President, Operations

1 (703) 683-6040, ext. 203
Alessandra@ClassicalMovements.com

Adam Jackson
Artistic Planning and Executive Assistant to the President
1 (703) 683-6040, ext. 201
Adam@classicalmovements.com