LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER
Kedrick Armstrong Conducts
the Music of Donna Summer
and the Queens of Disco

Sunday, December 15, 2024 ∙ 4pm
Paramount Theatre, Oakland

Welcome to this year’s edition of “Let Us Break Bread Together,” the first to be conducted and hosted by Music Director Kedrick Armstrong. This year’s edition pays tribute to Donna Summer and the Legends of Disco.

When Kedrick conducted his inaugural concert in October audiences cheered, and critics raved: “In Kedrick Armstrong, the Oakland Symphony has found a musician who appears to be a perfect fit. A superb conductor who…led an unflagging performance that lifted the spirit. It was Exhilarating…”  ~ Michael Zwiebach / San Francisco Classical Voice

“A striking debut, promising an exciting new era for the symphony… “ ~ Leoni Day / The Daily Californian (Berkeley)

“Armstrong and the orchestra were in glorious accord…With more performances like this one, the lights will shine in bright affirmation…” ~ Steven Winn / San Francisco Chronicle

“Kedrick Armstrong is both a dynamic interpreter and a thoughtful programmer [with] a perfect balance of priorities… I suspect his appointment may turn out to have been just the right choice for this organization.” ~ Joshua Kosman / On a Pacific Aisle

The Kedrick/Oakland partnership has been instantly electrifying and the audience has been growing. There are three more concerts this season conducted by Kedrick. You can find a link to them here.

After experiencing this “Break Bread” performance, you’ll want to return, and we’ll be thrilled to welcome you back. Also, listen closely to Kedrick’s remarks today. He’ll be revealing the tribute artist for the 2025 edition of “Let Us Break Bread Together.”

Warmly,

Dr. Mieko Hatano,
Chief Executive Officer

LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER
Choral Arr. by Terrance Kelly; Orch. Arr. by Ellen Hoffman
Terrance Kelly, vocalist, Ellen Hoffman, piano, Dame Drummer, drums, Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Combined Choruses, Oakland Symphony

CHRISTMAS OVERTURE
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 
Arr. by Sydney Baynes
Oakland Symphony

I’M SO EXCITED
Pointer Sisters
Arr. by Enrico Lopez-Yanez
Maiya Sykes, vocalist, Tiffany Austin, vocalist, Dame Drummer, drums, Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Oakland Symphony

SLEIGH RIDE
Leroy Anderson
Kongdee Saikeo, guest conductor
Oakland Symphony

SILENT NIGHT
Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr
Arr. by Claytoven Richardson
Best Intentions, Oakland Symphony

O HOLY NIGHT
Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight; 
Choral Arr. by Terrance Kelly
Orchestra Arr. by Ben Heveroh
Ellen Hoffman, piano, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Oakland Symphony

AFRICAN NOEL
Todd Smith
Arr. by Brad Holmes
Ash Walker, conductor, Heartbeat of Oakland Drumz, East Bay Singers, Napa High School Chamber Choir, Oakland Symphony Chorus

CELEBRATION
Kool & The Gang
Arr. by Ahmed Alabaca
Dame Drummer, drums, Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Best Intentions, Oakland Symphony

HALLELUJAH CHORUS from MESSIAH
George Frideric Handel
Combined Choruses, Oakland Symphony

INTERMISSION

SYMPH-HANUKKAH
Peter Jaffe
Oakland Symphony

WE THREE KINGS
John Henry Hopkins, Jr. 
Choral Arr. by Terrance Kelly; 
Orchestra Arr. by Ben Heveroh 
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Oakland Symphony

BALLAD OF THE BROWN KING 
(II. “They Brought Fine Gifts”)
Margaret Bonds & Langston Hughes
Ash Walker, conductor, East Bay Singers, Napa Valley High School Choir, Oakland Symphony Chorus, Oakland Symphony

LOVE SENSATION
Loleatta Holloway
Lyrics by Dan Hartman; Arr. by Omid Zoufonoun
Maiya Sykes, vocalist, Dame Drummer, drums, Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Oakland Symphony

CHAMPAGNE POLKA
Johann Strauss II
Oakland Symphony

YOU MAKE ME FEEL
Sylvester
Arr. by Ahmed Alabaca
PHER, vocalist, Dame Drummer, drums,  Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Oakland Symphony 

I WILL SURVIVE
Gloria Gaynor
Arr. by Enrico Lopez-Yanez
Tiffany Austin, vocalist, Dame Drummer, drums, Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Oakland Symphony

LAST DANCE
Donna Summer
Arr. by Lenny Wee
Maiya Sykes, vocalist, Tiffany Austin, vocalist, PHER, vocalist, Dame Drummer, drums, Uriah Duffy, bass, Kelyn Crapp, guitar, Mike Blankenship, piano/keyboard, Combined Choruses, Oakland Symphony

The 2024-2025 Season of Oakland Symphony is generously funded in part by the East Bay Music Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation; the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and supported by the Oakland City Council and funded by the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program.