Key Chorale Chamber Singers
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AMERICAN ROOTS The Gospel experience Featuring Key Chorale Chamber SingerS and WeStCoaSt blaCK theatre troupe key chorale Sarasota’s Symphonic Chorus Joseph Caulkins, Artistic Director nate JaCobS, FounDer & artiStiC DireCtor keychorale.org westcoastblacktheatre.org 941-921-4845 941-366-1505 Welcome to American Roots: The Gospel Experience (Streaming Edition) We were blessed to come together at three churches in October 2019 to share this amazing music. Now we’re pleased to present a video version, recorded by Bill Wagy Productions at St. Boniface Episcopal Church. Here is the program from those performances. We thank our generous original sponsors who made these concerts possible. And we thank YOU for supporting us with your ticket to the streaming video. Enjoy! Oh Happy Day Sponsors $2,500 First United Methodist Church Venue Sponsor: Opening Night Reception Sponsors: Shelley & Sy Goldblatt St. Boniface Venue Sponsors: Phil Baker and Steve Graham Move On Up a Little Higher Sponsors $1,500 Venice Presbyterian Church Venue Sponsors: Stu and Cindy Bischoff Amazing Grace Sponsors $500 Anonymous The Huisking Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Brock & Julie Leach Cover photo by Sorcha Augustine 2 Welcome Messages What an experience American Roots: The Gospel Experience has been for Key Chorale. Being immersed in this powerful genre of music is one thing – but to work with performers who epitomize this artform, who feel this music from their head to their toes – well that has been unforgettable. Collaborating with Nate Jacobs and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has been an experience rich in rewards. Through Nate’s guidance, we have gained a new appreciation and understanding of this American art form, music that came out of suffering and slavery, but yet is rooted in joyful praise and steadfast faith. Choirs all over the world love to perform spirituals and gospel music. I think it is because this music gets inside of you and you are forever changed. That is what I hope for you today, that this music finds its way into your heart and leaves you forever changed. I know it has for our singers and myself. We are grateful for this vibrant partnership between Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale and for the opportunity to share what we love with all of you! — Joseph Caulkins Artistic Director Key Chorale It’s a blessing for our singers and musicians to work with Joseph Caulkins and the Key Chorale Chamber Singers on this program showcasing the black gospel tradition. We’re especially delighted to perform these songs in churches — where this music was born. Like generations of African Americans before me, I grew up with this music that lifted our ancestors up from the sorrows of slavery and segregation to express their deep joy about God’s “amazing grace.” In the summer of 2016 at WBTT, I staged How I Got Over — a tribute to gospel great Mahalia Jackson and other artists of the genre. We’ll be performing many of the songs from that show, along with some special selections Joseph and his colleagues brought to the table. Regardless of your background, I’m sure you’ll recognize many of these songs and perhaps discover some new favorites. I hope you’ll be inspired when you hear this music and watch the spirit move our dancers. Thank you, Key Chorale, for inviting us to share these soulful songs with you and our wonderful community! — Nate Jacobs Founder and Artistic Director Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe 3 MISSION STATEMENT: Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative programming, artistic excellence, educational outreach and service to the community. VISION STATEMENT: A Suncoast community that is engaged and enriched by the power of our music and outreach. Board of Directors Larry Patton, Esq., President Bob Wennberg, Vice President Lydia Johnston, Secretary John Daniels, Treasurer Elizabeth Bryan Alice Byrne Doug Kapp Lee Linkous Carol Myers Judith Plerhoples Artistic Team Joseph Caulkins, Artistic Director Jamal Sarikoki, Associate Conductor Nancy Yost Olson, Accompanist Administrative Team Ellen VanDolah, Administrative Coordinator Kay Semrod, Finance and Grants Manager Johnette Cappadona, Director of Community Engagement Trish Ivey, Marketing Manager Joseph Waldron, Artistic Administrator Richard Storm, Executive Director Emeritus 4 Premieres Friday, October 30th • 7:30 PM Our VIRTUAL season opener brings us together to experience the healing and hope of music. The Chamber Singers present an inspirational program of favorites, uplifting spirituals, and music that celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit. Weekly beginning Thursday, September 24 • 2 PM Online choral rehearsals aren’t just for our local singers, but can be experienced by anyone, anywhere in the country through our YouTube Channel. key Season subscriptions on sale now! chorale Sarasota’s Symphonic Chorus Joseph Caulkins, Artistic Director 941.921.4845 KEYCHORALE.ORG 5 About Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019-2020. Its mission is to produce professional theater that promotes and celebrates the African-American experience, to attract diverse audiences, to support and develop African- American artists, and to build the self-esteem of African-American youth. WBTT Board of Trustees Marian Moss, Chairman Cheryl Anderson, Treasurer Alan Kurland, Vice Chairman Mike Rosario, Secretary Marvin Albert Sy Goldblatt Howard Millman Ali Bahaj Dr. Jaih Jackson Dr. Randall Morgan Chris Caswell, Esq. Doris Johnson Dona Scott Kitty Cranor Penelope Kingman Eva T. Slane Michael Gardiner Margie Nellum Lee Lois Watson Dr. John Maupin Honorary Trustees: June Gordon, Mary Ann Robinson Ambassadors: Christine Jennings and Jackie Woods Founder and Artistic Director: Nate Jacobs Executive Director: Julie Leach WBTT Team for American Roots: The Gospel Experience Properties Designer .......................................................................... Annette Breazeale Music Director/Production Manager. ...................................... James E. “Jay” Dodge II Marketing and Communications Director .............................................Scott Ferguson Development Director ....................................................................Debra Flynt-Garrett Choreographer ......................................................................................... Donald Frison Finance Manager ........................................................................................Robert Grant Media Relations ..................................... Sharon Kunkel, Wordslinger Marketing & PR House Manager ..............................................................................Myllanna McKinnon Box Office Manager .................................................................................Eleanor Miller Production Stage Manager ................................................................. Juanita Munford Graphic Design .............................................................. Paula Murray, Artefact Design Wardrobe Manager/Stage Hand .............................................................Adrienne Pitts Associate Managing Director ......................................................................... Travis Ray Sound Engineer. .......................................................................................Patrick Russini Videographer ...................................................................................................Bill Wagy 6 We hope you enjoy this encore presentation of American Roots: The Gospel Experience. In the coming months we will return to live shows outdoors, and in our theatre when it is safe to do so. We also plan to continue creative collaborations, like this one with Key Chorale and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, that enrich our community with cross-cultural experiences and shared moments of joy, inspiration and a deeper understanding of each other. Thank you for being a loyal patron of our live and recorded performances. For the latest news about our upcoming events, visit us at westcoastblacktheatre.org. We look forward to seeing you in person again soon! PHOTO BY EVAN SIGMUND 6 7 American Roots: The Gospel Experience ACT ONE I’ve Been Buked and I’ve Been Scorned (Traditional) .............. Elaine & Company My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord (Arr. M. Hogan) ......................................................................Key Chorale Chamber Singers Come Sunday Morning (Traditional) ........................................... Tarra & Company Tell It, Sing It, Shout It (J. Rowe-J. Walbert) ............................. Elaine & Company Come On Children, Let’s Sing (H.E. Smith) ............................................... Company Stop, Take a Little Time to Pray (D. L. Coats) .................... Tarra, Ariel & Company Didn’t it Rain, Children (R. Martin) ..................................Elaine, Amy & Company Elijah Rock (J. Hairston) ............................................................. Elaine & Company Oh Mary Don’t You Weep (Traditional) .................................. Syreeta & Company He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word (Arr. M. Hogan) ........................................ Jamal City Called Heaven (Traditional, Arr. J. Poelinitz) ............Amy & Chamber Singers O! What a Beautiful City (Traditional, Arr. S. Kirchner) ..............Chamber Singers Twelve Gates to the City (Traditional).....................................................