Fri, June 24, 2022 | 7:30pm
TOWN COMMON, TARBORO

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North Carolina Symphony
Michelle Di Russo, conductor
Earl Ijames, speaker
Staceé Lyles, soprano
Micaela Bundy, mezzo-soprano
Craig Brown, tenor
Markel Williams, baritone

J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) / James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) / Arr. Bruce Healey 
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Staceé Lyles, soprano
Micaela Bundy, mezzo-soprano
Craig Brown, tenor
Markel Williams, baritone

William Grant Still (1895-1978)
Festive Overture

Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949) /
Arr. Jeff Tyzik
Every Time I Feel the Spirit

Anthony Kelley (b. 1965)
Spirituals of Liberation (World Premiere; NCS commission)
    I. Work Song (for a Post-Terrestrial Railroad)
    II. Elegy (for the New Blues People)
    III. Never Forget

Scott Joplin (1868-1917) /
Arr. Gunther Schuller
Maple Leaf Rag

George Walker (1922-2018)
Lyric for Strings

Various composers / Arr. Ted Ricketts
Satchmo! A Tribute to Louis Armstrong

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974) / Arr. Calvin Custer 
Duke Ellington!

    Tonight’s program celebrates the many facets of American musical culture that have been created and influenced by African Americans. It begins with the uplifting spiritual, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” includes pieces by classical composers William Grant Still and Florence Price, and culminates with the work of jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
    As the centerpiece of tonight’s concert, we premiere a new work by NCS’s Composer-in-Residence Anthony Kelley titled Spirituals of Liberation. Kelley’s three movement work uses rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic elements to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederacy by capturing the journey from the past and imagining a new and better future for all.
    We thank you for joining us in this freedom celebration!

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Concert Sponsor UNC Health.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Concert Sponsor Tarboro Savings Bank.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Concert Sponsor Anonymous.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Concert Sponsor Anonymous Trust/Simple Gifts Fund.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Concert Supporter BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Concert Supporter ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital.