SYMPHONIC GOSPEL SPIRIT Sunday 1 March 2020 Welcome Kathryn McDowell Milton Keynes Community and the LSO Community Choir, directed by David Lawrence.

Tonight’s concert opens with a selection of spirituals arranged for and orchestra, in addition to a capella pieces which will be sung by the London Adventist Chorale. After the interval, André Thomas will conduct his celebratory Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy, which combines Latin mass texts with lyrics from the gospel tradition and elements of jazz and blues.

A huge thanks to all those taking part in elcome to tonight’s LSO concert tonight’s performance. I hope that you enjoy at the Barbican. For the first time the show and that you’ll join us again soon. ever, the Orchestra is performing a Later in the month, François-Xavier Roth full programme celebrating gospel music, returns to conduct Bartók’s The Wooden curated by conductor and composer André Prince – a favourite of conductors throughout J Thomas, who visits us from Florida, and the 20th century – and to champion the whose reputation in the US for orchestral music of under-celebrated French composer and gospel collaborations goes before him. Paul Dukas.

I am delighted that André Thomas is joined by soprano NaGuanda Nobles, tenor Jason Dungee and pianist Brandon Boyd as soloists. Now he joins us in London, sharing his specialist skills and musicianship with Kathryn McDowell CBE DL the LSO, London’s community choruses and Managing Director the London Adventist Chorale, directed by London Orchestra Ken Burton.

To bring together the musicians performing tonight, we have developed links with local gospel and community choirs through LSO Sing, an initiative which encompasses choirs, Singing Days and the LSO’s choral concerts at the Barbican. I am thrilled to welcome over 300 singers performing tonight, drawn from the Hackney Empire Community Choir, Hannah Brine Choirs from East London, the

2 Symphonic Gospel Spirit Tonight’s Concert Your Visit arr Marsh In That Great Getting Up Morning There are a range of restaurants and cafés arr André J Thomas The Drinking Gourd on-site that are open before tonight’s Trad Swing Low, Sweet Chariot concert, including the cafeteria-style André J Thomas Goin’ Up to Glory Barbican Kitchen on Level G, restaurant arr Hogan This Little Light of Mine and bar Bonfire on Level 1, and foyer bars arr Bonds He’s Got The Whole World in on all levels. His Hands arr Rogers Scandalise My Name André J Thomas Beautiful City arr Hogan Every Time I Feel The Spirit arr Boyd Until I Reach My Home

Interval – 20 minutes

Tyson arr Abels How Majestic André J Thomas Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy McDaniels arr Abels What a Mighty God

André J Thomas conductor NaGuanda Nobles soprano Jason Dungee tenor Brandon Boyd piano London Adventist Chorale Ken Burton choral director LSO Community Choir David Lawrence choral director Hackney Empire Community Choir Hannah Brine Choirs Milton Keynes Community Choir London Symphony Orchestra

Approximate end time: 9.10pm

1 March 2020 3 Gospel An Overview

ospel is music of the church, by the church and for the church. It is an important part of church services and black gospel is known for being expressly vibrant and emotional. Gospel songs nurture the church faithful and are often used to inspire and engage new members of the congregation.

The gospel songs in this evening’s concert are drawn from American black culture and black gospel heritage in the United States. These songs are rooted in the black church, which serves as the central community for African-American people, and is a foundation of African-American music. The earliest documentation of these songs comes from folksong collectors who published lyrics and sometimes music in folklore journals. Early recordings — made before and during World War II — also record the songs’ origins.

Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson photographed by Although there is speculation about the Carl Van Vechten roots and history of some of these songs, there is no doubt about their beauty. If the purpose of music is to raise the spirit, move the heart and touch the soul, then these songs fulfil music’s highest purpose.

Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee was established after the American Civil War (1861–1865) to teach formerly enslaved people and their children to read and write. In 1871, Fisk was in dire financial straits, so PROGRAMME NOTE BY DON CUSIC a group of singers were organised to give concerts to raise money for the school. Don Cusic is an American author, and who is best known as The Fisk Jubilee Singers were the first a historian of US popular music. He is the group to bring spirituals to the American author of 28 books, including biographies public, who had only heard the songs of Eddy Arnold, Roger Miller, Merle Haggard performed by black-faced minstrels. The and Gene Autry. spirituals had been passed down through

4 Symphonic Gospel Spirit the oral tradition in black churches and recorded the song with the Geoff Love on plantations, representing an authentic Orchestra. It was first released in the music from the African-American people UK, on Parlophone Records, and reached which was embraced by the wider American number 12 on the UK charts in 1957. It was public when they first heard them. then released in the United States on The songs included ‘Steal Away to Jesus’, Capitol Records, reaching number one on ‘Go Down, Moses’, ‘Nobody Knows the Billboard’s pop chart where it remained for Trouble I See’, ‘Were You There (When They four weeks. The song has been recorded Crucified My Lord)’, and others that have many times since, including a version by become standards. legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who charted in Billboard’s Hot 100. Fisk also pioneered the quartet of male singers, primarily because traveling with ‘Every Time I Feel the Spirit’ found female singers required a chaperone, and in particular popularity in arrangements for 1910, the Fisk Jubilee Quartet became the African-American quartets, though it was first to record ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’. Mahalia Jackson who solidified its place in the popular canon with her 1962 version The biblical source of ‘This Little Light of which won that year’s Grammy Award for Mine’ is Matthew 5:14–16, where Jesus tells Inspirational Recording. his followers ‘You are the light of the world’ and ‘No one lights a lamp and puts it under But the songs explain themselves. a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it You only need ears to hear the beautiful gives light for all who are in the house. In and haunting melodies or have a heart the same way, let your light shine before and soul that is open to being touched by men, so that they may see your good works music. It is a music made for the soul and and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ In the attentive listener will hear and feel its 1956, Ray Charles recorded ‘This Little Girl soulfulness. • of Mine’, a secular version of the song.

During the American Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, the song became a Civil Rights anthem, popularised by Fanny Lou Hamer and other Civil Rights activists. The ‘drinking gourd’ is the constellation of the Big Dipper. The North Star (Polaris) is close to the constellation, so ‘Follow the Drinking Gourd’ became a ‘code’ song to guide slaves North as they escaped.

‘He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands’ was first published in 1927 but became an international pop hit in in 1958 after English schoolboy Laurie London (b 1944)

1 March 2020 5 Song Texts

In That Great Getting Up Morning In that great gettin’ up morning …

In that great a-gettin’ up morning You’ll see the stars a-fallin’ Fare thee well, fare thee well You’ll see forked lightning You’ll see Christians rising I’m a-gonna tell you ‘bout the comin’ of You’ll see the righteous marching the judgment You’ll see my Jesus coming! Fare thee well, fare thee well With all His holy angels Take the righteous home to glory There’s a better day a-comin’ Fare thee well, fare thee well In that great gettin’ up morning …

In that great gettin’ up morning … The Drinking Gourd

The Lord spoke to Gabriel Follow, follow the drinking gourd, Fare thee well, fare thee well For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you Go and look behind the altar to freedom, Fare thee well, fare thee well If you follow the drinking gourd.

Take down that silver trumpet When the Sun comes back And the first quail calls, Fare thee well, fare thee well Follow the drinking gourd. Blow your trumpet, Gabriel! Fare thee well, fare thee well The riverbank makes a very good road. Lord, how loud should I blow it? The dead trees will show you the way. Peg foot, travelling on, Fare thee well, fare thee well Follow the drinking gourd. Blow it calm and easy Fare thee well, fare thee well The river ends between two hills, Do not alarm my people Follow the drinking gourd. Fare thee well, fare thee well There’s another river on the other side, Tell them to come to the judgement Follow the drinking gourd. Fare thee well, fare thee well When the great river meets the little river, In that great gettin’ up morning … Follow the drinking gourd. For the old man is a-waiting for to carry Gabriel, blow your trumpet! to freedom, Fare thee well, fare thee well If you follow the drinking gourd. Lord, how loud should I blow it? Fare thee well, fare thee well Loud as seven peals of thunder! Fare thee well, fare thee well Wake the living nations!

6 Symphonic Gospel Spirit Swing Low, Sweet Chariot This little light of mine …

Swing low, sweet chariot On Monday he gave me the gift of love, Coming for to carry me home, Tuesday peace came from above, Swing low, sweet chariot, Wednesday he told me to have more faith, Coming for to carry me home. And on Thursday he brought me the gift of grace. I looked over Jordan, and what did I see Coming for to carry me home? Then on Friday he told me ‘Watch and pray’, A band of angels coming after me, And then on Saturday what to say, Coming for to carry me home. On Sunday he gave me the power divine To let my little light shine. Sometimes I’m up, and sometimes I’m down, But still my soul feels heavenly bound. This little light of mine … The brightest day that I can say, When Jesus washed my sins away. Goin’ Up to Glory

If I get there before you do, Sun-up to sun-down, pickin’ that cotton, I’ll cut a hole and pull you through. Sun-up to sun-down, worked for the master, If you get there before I do, Sun-up to sun-down, chains and shackles Tell all my friends I’m coming too. No more auction block for me.

Swing low, sweet chariot Goin’ up to glory, Coming for to carry me home, Goin’ up to meet my Lord. Swing low, sweet chariot, Saints and sinners, will you go see that Coming for to carry me home. heavenly land?

This Little Light of Mine I’m goin’ up to heaven to see my robe. Goin’ up to glory, to see the heavenly land, This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, Brighter than the sun! This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. He’s got the whole world in his hands The light that shines is the light of love, He’s got the whole wide world in his hands Lights the darkness from above, He’s got the whole wide world in his hands It shines on you and it shines on me, He’s got the whole world in his hands And it shows what the light of love can do. He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands I’m gonna shine my light both far and near, He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands I’m gonna shine my light bright and clear, He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands Where there’s a dark corner in this land He’s got the whole world in his hands I’m gonna let my little light shine.

1 March 2020 7 Song Texts (continued)

He’s got the whole world in his hands … Beautiful City

He’s got you and me brother in his hands Three gates in-a the East! He’s got you and me sister in his hands Three gates in-a the West! He’s got you and me brother in his hands Three gates in-a the North! He’s got the whole world in his hands Three gates in-a the South! Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah. He’s got the whole world in his hands … Oh, what a beautiful city!

He’s got everybody here in his hands In bright mansions above, Lord, He’s got everybody here in his hands I want to live up yonder. He’s got everybody here in his hands He’s got the whole world in his hands Three gates in-a the East …

He’s got the whole world in his hands … My mother lives up in glory, I want to live there too. Scandalise My Name My father lives up in glory, I want to live there too. I met my brother the other day My sister lives up in glory, And gave him my right hand I want to live there too. As soon as ever my back was turned My brother lives up in glory, He scandalised my name I want to live there too.

Now do you call that a brother? No, no The beautiful city of God. Scandalise my name Oh that city. God’s lovely city! Oh, what a city! I met my sister the other day I want to be in that number. And gave her my right hand. Beautiful city of God. As soon as ever my back was turned Twelve gates to the city! She too scandalised my name. Hallelujah!

Now do you call that a sister? No, no Every Time I Feel The Spirit Scandalise my name Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I met my preacher the other day I will pray . I gave him my right hand And just as soon as ever my back was turned Upon the mountain my Lord spoke He, too, scandalised my name Out of His mouth came fire and smoke Looked all around me, it looked so fine Now do you call that religion? No, no Till I asked my Lord if all was mine. Scandalise my name Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray

8 Symphonic Gospel Spirit Jordan river, is chilly an’ cold How Majestic It chills the body but not the soul There ain’t but one train, upon this track Lord of Lords, how majestic is thy name It runs to heaven, an’ right back. o’er all the earth. Oh Lord, we praise your name Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, Oh Lord, we magnify your name, I will pray Prince of Peace Mighty God, how majestic is your name, Down in the valley, when I feel weak oh Lord It’s when the devil, usually speaks Because he’s crafty, and full of lies King of Kings and Lord of Lords, I need the Spirit to keep me wise. Hallelujah, hallelujah! And he shall reign forever and ever Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, How majestic is thy name, oh Lord. I will pray (André J Thomas Mass texts on pages 11–12) Until I Reach My Home What a Mighty God Lord, until I reach my home, I never expect my journey over What a mighty God we serve Until I reach my home. We bow down before him, Heaven and earth adore Him I would not be a sinner. What a mighty God we serve I’ll tell you the reason why. I’m afraid my Lord might call my name and He is the master of the sky and sea I wouldn’t be ready to die. He’s the great Jehovah who lives eternally He is the Saviour who died on Calvary I went up on the mountain, He’s a mighty God we serve! I didn’t go there to stay. But then my soul got happy, What a mighty God we serve … Then I stayed all day.

I got a crown up in-a that kingdom, Ain-a that good new’. I’m a gonna lay down this world Gonna shoulder up-a my cross, Gonna take it home. Gonna take it home to my jesus. Ain-a that good news! Interval

1 March 2020 9 André J Thomas Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy

1 Kyrie 2 Gloria 3 Credo 4 Sanctus 5 Agnus Dei

hen Dr André J Thomas was studying for his Master’s degree in piano performance at the prestigious Northwestern University, he opted against the solitary, semi-nomadic life of the concert pianist in favour of teaching, composing and conducting music – specifically spiritual and gospel choral music. A bold decision, given that he, a native of Wichita, Kansas, had been performing and winning piano competitions since his early teens; but it was one for which we can be grateful. The distinguished path he’s taken as a conductor has seen him direct concerts in Birmingham, Berlin, Tallahassee and China. However, it’s as a composer and arranger, having built up an innovative body of work for choirs and ensembles of all sizes, that his true calling becomes apparent.

Dr Thomas has served as Director of Choral The Dodd Hall at Florida State University Activities, and throughout his near four-decade career as an educator has had at its core a mission of bringing gospel and spiritual music into the 21st century. To this end he challenges his students to adapt the styles for modern day forces while preserving the integrity of what are centuries-old art ‘It’s powerful to think that 400 forms. He makes sure he warns the groups he years ago this artform was born conducts that there is a great deal at stake performing works like his Mass, but if you through something as tragic immerse yourself in his music it effortlessly as slavery, and that its power makes sense. continues today.’ His arrangement of classic spiritual ‘Joshua fit the Battle Of Jericho’ is a case in point. The piece is based on a lyrical motif most people André J Thomas think they know, which is rousing if trite, and

10 Symphonic Gospel Spirit in Dr Thomas’ hands it takes on a blues-driven some wonderful collaborations, but energy propelling the Old Testament narrative incorporating significant gospel elements, into the here and now. Walls don’t stand a like Donald Byrd’s A New Perspective, the chance. Likewise, his choral arrangement of Ramsey Lewis Trio’s Time Flies or Katie ‘Until I found the Lord’ has foundations of Bell Nubin & the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra’s a piano accompaniment that wouldn’t be Soul, Soul Searching, entertain gospel as a out of place in the sketchiest of roadhouses, house guest. They will always be jazz sets presenting the tensions between the secular first, whereas Dr Thomas starts and finishes and the saintly as clearly two sides of the in the realm of the spiritual, and he opens same coin. Or ‘African Noel’, in which he backs it up to other genre elements, notably the the choir with little other than percussion forms and texts of Western classical choral – a shaker, bells and congas – transporting music, as well as blues and funk, confidently the notion of the Christmas hymn back to reimagining the traditional songs without Africa, the source of what was called the neglecting their heart and soul. Nowhere is negro spiritual. These songs are ever popular, this better demonstrated than in tonight’s and although the cultural connections reach highlight Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy, further back, its relevance today is perhaps the composer’s most powerful and meaningful the strongest insofar as they connect with the piece, as the five movements of the Mass very modern notion of African American pride ordinary rejoice in themselves as much as the in heritage. Lord. He leads the choir and orchestra through blues, jazz and funk nuances and, of course, Throughout his work Dr Thomas has straight-up church. It’s about the singing first, embraced the ideas of the spiritual’s African and he manages to create an inclusive and roots, identifying early Ebonics – black contemporary celebration that’s so much more American dialect in which many gospel and uplifting for its relevance. spiritual lyrics are written – not as a lack of sophistication but a symbol of African At Florida State University, in its big 1920s American self-awareness stretching back Dodd Hall, a Dr André J Thomas stained glass some 400 years. By juxtaposing this against window displays the composer’s image with the elegance of his choral arrangements, the legend ‘Body – Mind – Spirit – Voice’. the speech is reclaimed from any notion of It would be difficult to imagine a more vaudeville buffoonery, allowing the music to fitting tribute.• stake a place in contemporary culture on its own terms. PROGRAMME NOTE BY LLOYD BRADLEY This is of huge significance for a genre that – although older and just as important to the One of the UK’s leading cultural African American experience as blues and jazz commentators, Lloyd is an expert on – was not ‘looked after’ to the same degree by popular music from the UK, US and the mainstream entertainment industry, thus Jamaica and author of Bass Culture and never was welcomed into the popular music Sounds Like London: 100 Years of Black world on the same level. There have been Music in the Capital.

1 March 2020 11 Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy Texts

1 Kyrie the Father Almighty in heaven, have mercy on us! Kyrie eleison. For only Thou art holy, Lord, have mercy on us. only Thou art the Lord, Oh, Lord, have mercy. only Thou art most high. Sinner, please don’t let this harvest pass. In the name of the Father, Don’t let it pass. in the name of the Son, Where you gonna be in the name of the Holy Ghost, when the trumpet sounds? in the glory of the Father, Amen! Lord, have mercy. 3 Credo Christ have mercy. In a world of disarray, I believe in God, the Father almighty. in a world wracked with pain, I believe in God, the maker of heaven we need your help, O Christ! and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, Christe eleison. who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, Christ have mercy on us. suffered under Pilate, crucified, died Lord have mercy on us. and was buried. Lord, Jesus Christ, He descended into hell! Lord, King of heaven. On the third day, he arose. He ascended to heaven. 2 Gloria From death he was set free.

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth Now he sits at the right hand, and he’s peace to all men of goodwill. waiting for you and me. We praise Thee, He will judge all the world. We bless Thee, He will judge you and me. We adore Thee, I believe in the Holy Spirit. We glorify Thee, I believe in God and the holy catholic church. We give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. I believe in one baptism for the remission of sin and rebirth. Lord God, King of heav’n, Father, I believe in the Resurrection, and the Almighty One. Communion of Saints in this world. Glory be to Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, I believe when my life is over, the Father’s only Son, I’m going home just to live with my God. Thou who takes away all the sins of the world, I believe in the Father and in the Son and in have mercy on us. the Holy Ghost. I believe in God. Receive our prayers. I await the Resurrection of the dead, Thou who sits at the right hand of God and the life of the world to come.

12 Symphonic Gospel Spirit I believe in God, maker of heaven and Earth, 5 Agnus Dei the Father almighty! I believe in God! Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, 4 Sanctus have mercy on us.

Above him stood the seraphim. You died on Calvary, And one cried to another: just to set the captives free. ‘Holy, holy, holy, You died on Calvary, the Lord God Almighty, to save a sinner like me! who was and is to come. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; Lamb of God, heav’n and Earth are full of thy glory.’ who takes away the sins of the world, grant us Thy peace. In the year that King Uzziah died I also saw the Lord. The Lamb is worthy. He was sitting on his throne, high and Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, lifted up, redeemed by his precious blood. and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim. God’s given us power and riches and Each one had six wings; wisdom and strength, with two he covered his face, power and riches and glory and blessing. and with two he covered his feet and with two he did fly. The Lamb is worthy. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, And one cried to another: redeemed by his precious blood. ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, Amen! who was and is to come. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; heav’n and Earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna to the Son of David. ‘Mass: A Celebration of Love and Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Joy is dedicated to the Tallahassee Lord God of hosts. Community Chorus. For the past 31 years, it has been a source of love and Like the seraphim I want two wings joy for me as director. It is my hope that to cover my face. you will find the same joy performing Oh Lord, I want two wings to fly away, this work that I have felt while writing so the world can’t do me no harm. each movement.’ We’re crying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; André J Thomas heav’n and Earth are full of thy glory!

1 March 2020 13 André J Thomas conductor & composer

He has been a guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Choir and the North German Radio Choir, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Bulgarian Radio Choir and Orchestra, the Charlotte Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, China’s People’s Liberation Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Since 1988, he has also served as Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus.

Thomas is also a composer and arranger, published by Hinshaw Music Company, Mark Foster Music Company, Fitzsimons Music Company, Lawson Gould, Earthsongs, Choristers Guild and Heritage Music Company. He has produced instructional videos on choral ndré J Thomas is the recently retired conducting, and his book Way Over in Beulah Professor of Music and Director of Lan’ has quickly become a major resource in Choral Activities at Florida State the study and performance of spirituals. University. He was appointed Professor of Choral Conducting and Interim Conductor of The African Diaspora Sacred Music the Yale Camerata 2020–21. A previous faculty organisation honoured Thomas as a Living member at the University of Texas, Dr Thomas Legend, and in 2011 Thomas’ dedication to received his degrees from Friends University and accomplishments in the choral arts were (BA), Northwestern University (MM), and the recognised by his peers in Chorus America, University of Illinois (DMA). who presented Thomas with a Distinguished Service Award. In January 2019 he was Dr Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, inducted into the Florida Music Educator’s division, and national conventions of the Hall of Fame. He is a past president of the National Association for Music Education Florida American Choral Directors Association and American Choral Directors Association. (ACDA) and of the Southern Division of ACDA, His international conducting credits are also and the current Vice President of National extensive, including engagements with the ACDA and the artistic Chairman of the 2021 International Federation of Choral Musicians’ National Convention. • summer residency of the World Youth Choir in China and the Philippines. He was also the conductor of the winter residency of the World Youth Choir in Europe, and a premiere performance by the Florida State University Singers in Vietnam.

14 Symphonic Gospel Spirit NaGuanda Nobles soprano

Statesman reviewed her performance as ‘vocally impressive’, while the Houston Chronicle called her singing ‘radiant’. Nobles also performed as soloist in Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise with the Boston Symphony and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, conducted by Kurt Masur.

In 2005, she debuted with Pensacola Opera, Mobile Opera, and sang as Papagena in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Pittsburgh Opera. In 2008, Nobles was named Shreveport ‘Singer of the Year’ and was awarded first place in the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation Competition. One of her proudest performances was with the Dayton Opera, in the role of Liù in Puccini’s Turandot. Her aGuanda Nobles began singing within performance was commended in the Dayton the walls of her home church. Born City Paper as ‘a winning combination of in Tallahassee, Mrs Nobles went on beauty and intensity’. • to attend Thomasville High School, where she began her classical training. She accepted a full scholarship to attend Florida State University and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in vocal performance. Throughout college, Nobles was a featured soloist in the Florida State University Singers, directed by André J Thomas, with whom she regularly travels as a soloist in tours to Europe and across America.

Mrs Nobles continued her studies at the American Institute in Graz, Austria, where she worked with world-class musicians and coaches and featured in several concerts. Nobles continued her career with the Austin Lyric Opera, performing the role of Sister Rose in the Southwestern premiere of Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, for which she was recognised as a stand-out talent by the San Antonio Express News. The Austin American-

1 March 2020 15 Jason Dungee tenor

of The Game of Thrones Live Experience, featuring music from the hit TV programme. In South Carolina, he has conducted sold out, critically acclaimed performances as guest conductor of the Charleston Gospel Choir.

Upon returning to the United States, Dungee looks forward to making his conducting debut at the Southern Regional Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. •

ason Dungee currently serves as the Director of Choral Studies at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. Dungee has degrees from the University of Arizona, Westminster Choir College and Hampton University.

Previously, he enjoyed eight years as a successful choral music teacher in Newport News and Williamsburg, Virginia. He was a Conductor Fellow in the 16th Varna International Music Academy in Varna, Bulgaria as they presented a performance of Haydn’s , as well as serving as Choir Master in the 20th Varna International Music Academy’s performance of Puccini’s Suor Angelica and playing the role of Maestro Spinelloccio in their performance of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

Recently, Dr Dungee has found success in popular music and entertainment as well. He was selected for two consecutive years to prepare choirs for the southeast leg of HBO’s internationally acclaimed touring production

16 Symphonic Gospel Spirit Brandon Boyd piano

also appears in GIA Publications and Kjos Music Press catalogues.

In 2017, he was invited by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale to serve as Composer-in- Residence for their program Giving Voice to the Voiceless. The Chorale premiered a new commission, I Search, during their 35th Anniversary of the Summer Justice Concert Series, where Brandon served as assistant conductor, pre-concert lecturer and guest pianist.

As a proponent of choral singing to build community, his research interests include organising choirs for the homeless, identifying the social and physical effects randon Boyd is the Assistant of choral singing on senior citizens, and Director of Choral Activities and creating authentic field experiences for Assistant Professor of Choral music therapy and choral music Music Education at the University of education students. For three years, Missouri, where he conducts the MU Glee Dr Boyd co-directed three choral Club and Concert Chorale. In addition community partnerships in Florida: The to his conducting duties, he teaches Tallahassee Senior Choir, RAA Middle undergraduate and graduate courses School Partnership Choir, (university in choral conducting and choral music students and middle school singers), education. Boyd appears regularly as a and the MTC Women’s Prison Glee Club conductor, clinician, composer-in-residence, (university students singing with women collaborative pianist, and presenter for All- housed into a correctional facility). States, conferences, conventions, collegiate choirs, church choirs, and choral festivals. He holds two degrees from Florida State University (PhD in choral music education As an active composer and arranger, his and MM in choral conducting) and earned a music is sung regularly by ensembles BS in music education (emphasis in piano) throughout the United States and abroad. from Tennessee State University. He is He was recently appointed the editor for a proud member of the American Choral Gentry Publications. He is also the curator Directors’ Association (ACDA), National and editor of the Brandon A Boyd Choral Association for Music Education (NAfME), Series with Hinshaw Music Publications, National Association of Negro Musicians helping to promote exciting and innovative (NANM), American Guild of Organists works composed by both established and (AGO), and Chorus America. • new composers and arrangers. His music

1 March 2020 17 David Lawrence chorus director

Choir, where he collaborated with Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Adams and many others. David has adjudicated international choral festivals, the BBC Choir of the Year and Young Musician of the Year competitions, and has conducted for BBC’s Songs of Praise for the past 20 years.

For 21 years David has been the Principal Conductor of Young Voices, the largest series of children’s choir concerts in the world. Earlier this year he directed more than 170,000 children in 24 concerts around the UK. He continues to work with Sinfonia Viva as their Choral Advisor, a project leader and conductor, and has also directed large- avid Lawrence is one of the UK’s scale education projects with the Welsh most versatile conductors, working National Opera Orchestra, the English with orchestras, symphony choruses Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool and national youth choirs. Conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of LSO Community Choir and LSO Discovery Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. • Senior Choir, he was nominated for a Gramophone Award for his conducting and currently holds the Guinness World Record for conducting the UK’s largest choir – 6,846 singers!

David’s work has taken him to Singapore, Colombia, Canada, the United States, the UAE, India and throughout Europe, and he has recently returned from his 17th visit to Australia. His positive and engaging manner makes him a popular guest conductor, and he is an experienced and respected trainer of choral conductors.

Among others, David has worked with the National Youth Choirs of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the London Philharmonic Choir and the Halle Choir. He is an Associate Conductor of both the CBSO Chorus and London Symphony Chorus. For ten years, he worked closely with the Netherlands Radio

18 Ken Burton chorus director

with several orchestras internationally, among them CBSO and BBC orchestras.

He has been a judge for several BBC programmes, among them Songs Of Praise School Choir, Chorister Of The Year, and the BAFTA nominated The Choir: Sing While You Work. He has arranged and composed numerous works for choir, orchestra, and other forces.He has presented BBC Radio 3’s The Choir as a guest, and was presenter of two series of an online TV broadcast Music In My Life. •

en Burton is a choral and orchestral conductor, composer, arranger, judge, educator, presenter and performer. His classical and gospel music-making developed in parallel, and he brings the spirit and characteristics of one world to the other. He has directed choirs – regularly and as a guest – for over three decades, each choir having a large international presence on stage and regular appearances on broadcasts across the world.

The London Adventist Chorale, which he has directed since 1990, won Choir of the Year in 1994, and was awarded BBC Gospel Choir of the Year in 1995. The Croydon SDA Gospel Choir, for which he is musical director, was a runner-up in the 1994 Choir of the Year. He founded AVE – the Adventist Vocal Ensemble – and the quartet Tessera, mainly for BBC Songs Of Praise broadcasts. He also founded and directs Voquality Singers for commercial projects in the film, broadcast and recording industry. The Voquality Singers is the choir on the latest Oscar and Grammy winning film Black Panther. As a conductor, he has worked

1 March 2020 19 London Adventist Chorale

he London Adventist Chorale was President Bill Clinton, Buckingham Palace for formed in 1981, to bring together the Her Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, at talents of singers from Seventh-day Toronto’s Sky Dome and in the BBC Proms. Adventist Churches. Its Principal Conductor is Ken Burton, who has conducted the choir In 1994, the choir won the prestigious ‘Choir for over two decades. The choir’s first Artistic Of The Year’ title, and was awarded BBC Director was the late John Tolman, who laid UK Gospel Choir Of the Year one year later. out its vision: high-standard performance Today, many of the UK’s choral directors have of varied and challenging sacred repertoire, verbally stated that the London Adventist with a heavy leaning toward a cappella Chorale has had a profound influence on the music. Fundamental to the original vision UK choral scene. It is not uncommon to see was that the choir would be of a standard to the inclusion of African-American Spirituals ‘stand before kings and queens’, a statement – a genre which has been almost unilaterally borrowed from a Bible verse. preserved in the UK by the Chorale – on choral programmes and in competition repertoire. Under directors including Derek Hoyte and The choir has worked in collaboration with a Tina Brooks, this dream has been realised, number of notable artists including Sir Bryn performing repertoire that has included Terfel CBE, Sir Willard White, Larnelle Harris, music in Hebrew, African-American Spirituals, Wynton Marsalis, Wilhelmenia Fernandez and close harmony, and Western choral music. Lesley Garrett. The Chorale’s performances have been experienced by tens of millions world-wide on Recordings to date include the debut stage, screen, recordings and radio. Among Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Deep River, Steal notable performance venues are Blenheim Away (EMI), and Live In Australia. • Palace, where they performed for former US

20 Singers

Arnold Best Michelle Boyd Maureen Brathwaite Ken Burton Robert Carr Gemma Cudjoe Roxane Digman Nkomo Shaun Douglas Joseph Edwards David Grant Greta Hinkson Sophia Hutchinson Byron Jackson Elias Kalumba Paul Lee Denzle Macdonald Louanne Modeste-Sampson Sophie Nicholls Monica Nicholls-Pupe Keisha Nurse Virginie Oculi-Dinal Andrea Philip Jazz Rodiguez Da Sousa Arabella Rodrigo Joan Saddler Elisabeth Sanguesa Kwame Sarpong Marlene Skerritt Esther Stevenson Michelle Toussaint-Bourne Paul Weekes Duane Wright

1 March 2020 21 LSO Community Choir

n March 2003, the LSO Community The Choir sings three concerts a year at Choir performed the first concert LSO St Luke’s and performs special concerts in LSO St Luke’s, the Orchestra’s at the Barbican with the LSO, including an then newly established venue. Led by LSO impressive list of performances under three workshop leader and presenter Rachel Leach, directors – Gareth Malone, David Knott and the Choir sang arrangements of William David Lawrence. The Community Choir has Blake’s Songs of Innocence commissioned worked with Hugh Masekela, celebrating his for the occasion. 70th birthday; performed a partially staged version of Britten’s St Nicolas with tenor Ian Gareth Malone – now a television personality Bostridge; and took part in two new operas, – was one of the singers in that first concert, Jonathan Dove’s The Monster in The Maze and by 2004, he had taken over directing and Andrew Norman’s A Trip to the Moon, the Choir. In the programme for the Choir’s conducted by Sir . The Choir has Christmas concert in 2004, he wrote, sung in St Paul’s Cathedral, at the annual ‘I would like to see the Choir grow to about Whitecross Street Party and at the Royal 60 members’. Five years later, there were 80 Academy of Music. singers in the Choir’s ranks – its membership now totals 110. Above all, the Choir is about the joy of singing and remains open to everyone. For those who The Community Choir has open access at its claim they can’t sing, the Community Choir heart – anyone is welcome as long as they has proved in the best possible way that live or work in the area, and no audition anyone can get involved in music-making and is necessary. The Choir’s director, David find their voice.• Lawrence, tailors the music-making for a broad mix of people: from those who know The LSO Community Choir is generously their sharps from their flats to those who supported by the John S Cohen Foundation. have no experience of musical notation.

22 Singers

Daphne Alexander Janet Fitch Pauline Pearson Jasmine Allen Wilna Fourie Dorota Rosemary Anger Dawn Frampton Pomorska-Dawid Alison Archibald Tara Frances Michelle Price Deborah Arnott Audrone Galine Dilys Rees Iris Bachmann Mal Gilliam Mena Rego Adrienne Banks Craig Givens Alessandra Sarnari Jeremy Barraud Kevin Granville Marlena Schmool Jenny Bell Madush Gupta Tessa Sheridan Jane Bickerton Glenn Hammet Ellen Sinclair Martha Bicket James Hill Alex Skailes Annie Blackmore Anita Howard Bernadette Skehan Nathalie Blondeau Miroslava Ileckova Milan Stamenkovic Sherrie Brar-Sacha Yvonne Jacobs-Jones Anna Standley Sue Bristow Darrel James Caroline Stanger Nick Brittain Helen James Anne Stansfield John Bryant Marie-Helene Jeeves Rachel Starling Nevo Burrell Pauline Jenkins Carol Stewart Neil Campbell Philippa Johnson Roy Sully Kim Caplin Simon Jones Anna Sun Sandrina Carosso Neville Kay Jacqueline Swanson Elzbieta Chandrasena Tim Kitchin Richard Taylor Jacqueline Chow Dan Knight Paul Tilley Madeline Church Anna Law Joy Townsend Eleanor Clarke Laura Lucas Jane Tully Tania Cohen Fiona MacCorquodale Paul Turley Anne Corbett Caryn Mackenzie Maggie Tyler Jill Courtnell Catherine MacLeod Tony Valsamidis Linda Crow Steven Malies Tracy Wait Liz Cunningham Stuart Midson Elizabeth Wayne Sarah Cunningham Esther Murphy Lesley Wilson Adam Dale Jan Newbigin Sarah Winman Claire Deakin Selena Ng Nana-Ama Wood Eilish Dempsey Zina Nour Peter Wylie Gabriel Diaz- Sheila Ogilvie Emparanza Rosaline Ogunro Paul Downing Heather Page Kimmett Edgar Ruth Paker Mirit Ehrenstein Mel Palmer Will Elsworth Jones Penelope Parkinson Elizabeth Emmanuel Liz Patterson Moe Faulkner Grace Payne Christine Finlan

1 March 2020 23 Hackney Empire Community Choir

he Hackney Empire Community Choir was launched in 2010 by Olivier-award recipient Sharon D Clarke in partnership with Joseph Roberts, Music & Choir Director for East London Gospel Choir. Well known for its infectious energy and joyous sound, HECC has accompanied Hackney-born Leona Lewis on stage at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, performing her single ‘Run’ in 2012, at the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, and were invited again to accompany Leona at the Royal Albert Hall in May 2013. HECC have also performed in the Roy Williams’ Soul, based on the life of Marvin Gaye and recorded for Dr Meaker’s album Dirt & Soul in 2015. They most recently gave the European premiere of John Luther Adams’ In the Name of the Earth for the BBC Proms 2019.

HECC are a fun and welcoming group. Anyone can join and learn eclectic music which embraces the cultural diversity of the choir. It’s also a great place to meet new friends, sing your heart out and have fun. •

24 Singers

Valerie Aubine Caroline Sears Richard Laura Snape Bagnall-Oakeley Patricia Soares Judy Barker Zoe Tweed Lisa Bowler Amy Volan Emma Bridge Sarah Ward Eva Brooks Matt West Betsy Buckner Helen Yuill Celia Burgess-Macey Kaylin Cain Rachel Cumella Geraint Davies Jacqueline Fearon Jennifer Forrester Jan Fuscoe Heather Gardener Jacqueline Gordon Emma Hindley Isabel Hope-Urwin Sandra Jacob-Walls Jose Jijnaard Milena Johnson Myrtle Johnson Rosie Jones Jacqueline Kelly-Jarvis Hilarie Kerr Cathy Logan Anna Lovell Christina Lovey Marita Ludlam Leonard Maloney Gaia Martinelli-Bunzl Nick Mathiason Dawn Matthews Behige Molina Teresa Narduzzo Pauline Nashahibi Jenny Norton Lucy O’Rourke Alastair Owens Mary Pellegrin Fiona Samuels Vibeke Santos

1 March 2020 25 Hannah Brine Choirs

annah Brine is an award-winning conductor from Leicester. Members from her London choirs (Finsbury Park Singers, Kensington Singers & Victoria Park Singers) are performing tonight alongside students from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where Hannah teaches vocal technique. Hannah’s choir members were fortunate to perform as the opening act for the 2017 Olivier Awards with Gary Barlow and the cast of his musical The Girls (having also performed with them at the 2016 Royal Variety Show). In Summer 2019 they performed at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in John Luther Adams’ In the Name of the Earth. The choirs have raised over £25,000 for charity. •

26 Singers

Bill Alexander Monica Forty Mira Morrison Harriet Spicer Beth Arscott Rachel Garlick Rebecca Naylor Lucy Still Claire Askam Doug Gilbert Simon Newman Hilary Stirling Lucy Azzaro Jeremy Grint Joanna Norledge Mike Storey Anita Baker Louisa Gummer Emma Novak Holly Tarbet Cath Barrow Victoria Haddock Sophie Novell Ellena Taylor Lorenz Bauer Sarah Hall Caroline Nugent Evelyn Teichmann Milena Berges Ophelia Hamilton Hannah Nugent Catherine Templar Luke Blakeley Minna Hartikainen Sarah Nunn George Thickett Amy Bradley Katherine Henderson Chisara Nwabara Jessica Thorn Claire Bradshaw Issy Hollis Anna Oldiges Ilaria Tomezzoli Michele Bridgman Dorinda Hooper Paul O’Neill Sasha Trevelyan Megan Brown John Humphreys Amanda Owen Kirsty Valentine Oliver Brown Michael Hyatt Clover Peake Jean-Paul Anne-Marie Burrows Pauline Inglis Cat Pearson Van Cauwelaert Harry Campbell David Jeffries Ana Perich Steve Wakefield Harriet Cawley Louise Joly Mark Peters Andreas Wallerius Anne Chong Barbara Keating Willy Petri Theo Lucy Clements Celia Knight Kim Pflaum Wardley-Cresser Cecily Cocks Millie Laing-Tate Alex Phennah Chris Watson Marion Combaz Anne Lambourne Anna Pirinen Jess Watts Clara Connolly Natalia Langlais Jo Pitman Hollie White Laura Cotton Julie Le Bon Dan Pope Marie Williamson Brigid Coyle-Kelleher Marie Lechler Jill Purslow Richenda Wilson George Craig Rob Levy Heide Razavi Wojciech Witalec Finbarr Crone Suzanne Long Sonia Reghai Lauren Witts John Crowley Jason Lord Nuria Riba Rossy Leo Wood Sean Cullivan Jenny Luckett Jane Riddell Emma Yanatchkov Tanya Datta Philipp Ludersdorfer Sally Roberts Eleanor Young Abigail Davies Celine Marraffa Malcolm Rodgers Georgia Jo Dench Colin Marrs Fiona Roebuck Yurkwich-Spink Frankie Downing Keith Mason Nancy Rose Daria Zenkova Sophie Duval Sonia Maynadier Emma Rowlands Janet Eade Fiona McAuslan Charlotte Rushworth Jo Edwards Louise McCullagh Louise Russell Olivia Edwards Janine McKeown Brittany Schröder Julie Elfield Carolyn McLauchlan Laura See Louise England Michael McMillan Anna Shepard Marisa Enhuber Sophie McNeill David Shepherd Sam Ewo Barbara Miles Geoffrey Simmons Lucy Farley Sava Mintchev Rosie Simmons Bekki Field Linden Monck Dilani Siriwardena Tom Forde Chris Montague Lisa Somers

1 March 2020 27 Milton Keynes Community Choir

he Milton Keynes Community Choir was established in 2008 to encourage community singing while having fun. The choir is open to anyone who loves singing. It has grown considerably since those early days under the leadership of its musical director Craig McCleish and now has a membership of 100 singers. They meet weekly and sing a great variety of musical styles including pop, folk, world music, classical and more recently, gospel.

The choir presents one or two major concerts a year, regularly attracting large audiences of over 300 guests and raising considerable sums for charity (over £7,000 in the past two years). In addition, the choir participates in festivals, music days, community choir events and responds to other invitations to sing whenever possible. •

28 Singers

David Accorsini Sam Martin Nick Allen Rowlands Maureen McCarthy Pattie Allen Rowlands Alistair McGiver Peggy Allin Jacky McGiver Carol Ashmore Richard Moffett Cathy Baker Wendy Morsley Mariam Baldock Alison Northall Marian Barber Stuart O’Brian Heather Beck Angie Owen Russell Broom John Pettit Rachel Capps Barbara Rechnitz Phil Catterall Claire Ricketts Rebecca Catterall Ian Riley Nadyne Coles Helen Robinson Lindsay Conway Irene Robinson Rebecca Cooper Moira Roskilly Maureen Cox Seth Sethna Julia Crichley Michele Stewart Vanessa Darke Teresa Thomas Tassy Earwicker Kirsty Thompson Maddie Earwicker Janet Thompson Karen Elliot Fiona Trinder Sophie Elliot Rosemary Waters Charlotte Elliot Sue Whistler Linda Empson Liz Whitelegg Norma Faruqui Chris Wood Peter Folwell Sally Wragg Karen Folwell Pauline Wright Avril Francome Nigel Wright Lizzie Gardiner Roger Wythe Joyce George Francis Ying Louise Green Leslie Grinstead Eileen Haigh Sue Harry Keith Hogben Jo Hooton Helen Johnson Charmaine Kemps June Lake Brian Lloyd Sue Mansbridge

1 March 2020 29 LSO Discovery Singing Days

Spend a day at LSO St Luke’s getting to know Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ some of the most fantastic music written Sunday 15 March 2020 11am–4.30pm for voices with LSO Choral Director . Whether you sing in a choir regularly, At the climax of his Second Symphony, Mahler or haven’t sung since school, you’ll discover brings out the big guns with a choral finale to new music and learn about the craft of choral rival Beethoven’s Ninth. singing in a friendly environment. Nicknamed ‘Resurrection’, the work We’ll be singing from the score – so experience culminates as the choir sings a poignant of reading music and some knowledge of prayer penned by Mahler himself about sight-singing will help! death and his hopes for the afterlife.

Immortal Bach Join a Choir Sunday 10 May 2020 11am–4.30pm

With LSO Community Choir, Discovery Bach made a big mark on choral music Choirs for children and young people and with works like the St John Passion and the London Symphony Chorus, there are St Matthew Passion and over 200 cantatas. lots of ways to get involved. Visit our website for more information. Sing movements from JS Bach’s Magnificat and Bach-inspired pieces by Mendelssohn and lso.co.uk/sing Rutter, along with Knut Nystedt’s Immortal Bach, a rumination on time and harmony.

30 London Symphony Orchestra On Stage

Leader Cellos Horns Carmine Lauri Tim Gill Timothy Jones Jennifer Brown Angela Barnes First Violins Noel Bradshaw Paul Gardham Clare Duckworth Daniel Gardner Alex Willett Maxine Kwok Hilary Jones William Melvin Laure Le Dantec Trumpets Claire Parfitt Philip Cobb Elizabeth Pigram Double Basses Toby Street Laurent Quenelle Colin Paris Christopher Evans Harriet Rayfield Patrick Laurence Colin Renwick Jani Pensola Trombones Sylvain Vasseur Andy Wood Rhys Watkins Flutes James Maynard Alexandra Lomeiko Claire Wickes Julian Sperry Bass Trombone Second Violins Paul Milner Julián Gil Rodríguez Piccolo Miya Väisänen Jack Welch Tuba Matthew Gardner Stephen Calow Csilla Pogany Belinda McFarlane Olivier Stankiewicz Timpani Iwona Muszynska Rosie Jenkins Nigel Thomas Paul Robson Ginette Decuyper Cor Anglais Percussion Gordon MacKay Alec Harmon Neil Percy Hazel Mulligan David Jackson Clarinets Sam Walton Violas Chris Richards Edward Vanderspar Chi-Yu Mo Harp Malcolm Johnston Bryn Lewis Carol Ella Robert Turner Daniel Jemison Bass Guitar May Dolan Helen Simons Michael Mansfield Anna Growns Alistair Scahill Contra Bassoons Kit Anna Dorothea Vogel Dominic Morgan Martin France

Cover Image: Scott Rodgerson Artist Photos: Jim Rakete; Harald Hoffmann / Sony Entertainment; Genevive Girling

31 The LSO is funded by Arts Council England in partnership with the City of London Corporation, which also provides the Orchestra’s permanent home at the Barbican.

LSO registered charity in England number 232391