Fri, Sept 16, 2022 | 7pm
MICKEY L. BURNIM FINE ARTS CENTER,
FLOYD L. ROBINSON AUDITORIUM,
ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY, ELIZABETH CITY

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North Carolina Symphony
Michelle Di Russo, conductor
Micaela Bundy, mezzo-soprano

J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) / James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) /
Arr. Bruce Healey 
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Micaela Bundy, mezzo-soprano

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

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

Intermission

William Grant Still (1895-1978)
Festive Overture

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!

Program notes on the music by Andrew Moenning except where noted.

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 George Walker, and culminates with the work of jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

As the centerpiece of tonight’s concert, we present 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 Southern Bank Foundation.

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

Elizabeth City State University Community Connections: Performance and Lecture Series is sponsored by

Joyce Long '54
Justina Long '54