[FROM TOP: Henry Panion III with Randall Goosby; Henry Panion III conducts Atlanta Symphony; Henry Panion III conducts Atlanta Symphony, Morehouse College Glee Club and Spelman College Glee Club]
Henry Panion III, PhD is University Professor of Music at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He writes:
“Dear Mr. Zick, let me start by saying what an amazing site you have provided. I have been sharing it with everyone I can think of since my discovery of it (I'm ashamed to say) in the last month. I recently conducted the Albany Symphony in a performance of William Grant Still's Suite for Violin and Orchestra, with Randall Goosby, the 2010 Sphinx 1st Place Jr. Laureate winner. I've provided a link to the news release as well as photos from that concert and a concert with the Atlanta Symphony, I conducted, the very next day. Again, thanks and, I so look forward to the daily emails.”
Press Release
October 19, 2011 Georgia USA – The 48th season of the Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestra opened on October 8, 2011 with Guest Conductor Dr. Henry Panion, III. Titled “Celebration XIV: The Gospels Go Classical”, this concert marked the 14th year of the partnership between Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the symphony in Mt. Zion’s new sanctuary. Dr. Panion has pioneered the merging of Gospel and Classical and created a performance of symphonic gospel arrangements with the full orchestra and combined choirs of Mt. Zion and Sherwood Baptist churches of Albany. Featured artists included prodigy violinist Randall Goosby, the 15-year-old winner of the junior division of the Sphinx Competition, and the vocals of Gospel Music Hall of Famer and two-time Grammy winner, Lady Tramaine Hawkins. Goosby’s insightful interpretation of William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Orchestra left the audience mesmerized. And by the time Lady Tramaine concluded the show with signature performances of “Changed” and “Oh Happy Day,” the entire audience was on its feet in total celebration.
On October 9, 2011, directly on the heels of the Albany Symphony success, Dr. Panion served as musical director and conductor for the 90th birthday celebration of Civil Rights leader Dr. Joseph Lowery. Titled His Words-Our Gift: A Musical Experience, the extravaganza featured the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with artists Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Holliday, Peabo Bryson, Lady Tramaine Hawkins and The Blind Boys of Alabama honouring Rev. Dr. Lowery in the Atlanta Woodruff Arts Center’s Symphony Hall. Hosted by CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien, performances also included Cicely Tyson, Dawnn Lewis, Cassi Davis, Morehouse and Spelman College glee clubs and other special guests.
Welcomed by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-GA, other dignitaries and celebrities were wowed by the music, drama, dance and Lowery's own words spoken from actors as Dr. Henry Panion, III conducted The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra throughout the presentation. Videotaped birthday wishes came from President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou and President Jimmy Carter, among other luminaries and Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson announced the dedication of a 757 that bears Lowery's signature. Under the direction of Panion, singer Lady Tramaine Hawkins brought the crowd to its feet with both "Changed" and "Oh Happy Day," and Stevie Wonder performed a number of songs, including his classic version of "Happy Birthday" along with new orchestral arrangements of Stevie’s “Vision” and “A Time To Love” written by Dr. Panion especially for this performance. Dr. Lowery brought the gala to an emotional climax leading the audience in “We Shall Overcome.”
President Barack Obama's video greeting was accompanied by three staff members: Valerie Jarrett, Senior Adviser; Josh DuBois, Head of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and Attorney General Eric Holder. In his video tribute, Obama stated, “I don’t know where I would be without your support and advice. I don’t know where this country would be without your leadership.” Jarrett then thanked Lowery for his work in getting Obama elected. Holder, the first African-American to hold his position, calling Lowery his “mentor, role model and dear friend,” informed the audience that he was rededicating the Department of Justice’s commitment to civil rights work.
Dr. Panion has been able to master a wealth of musical styles and genres, from Gospel to Classical, Pop to Rock, Hip-Hop to Be-Bop, and "everything in between." His work has produced two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and a host of other national music awards and nominations. He’s a 2009 recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Civic and Cultural Advancement Award and 2011 recipient of the prestigious Governor’s Arts Award from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Having worked with some of the most significant artists of our time, such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Ellis Marsalis, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Franklin, The Winans, American Idol winners Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard, The Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Hip-Hop artist Coolio, and more than 50 different symphony orchestras around the world, from the Tokyo Philharmonic of Japan to the Rio de Janeiro Philharmonic of Brazil, from the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra of Russia to the Royal Philharmonic of England, and many of the major orchestras in the USA, Dr. Panion says, “I’m just so very honored to have had an opportunity to play a very small part in celebrating the birthday of a man whose lifelong selflessness has enabled me and millions of others to even be where we are today. There would not be a Dr. Panion were it not for those foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement such as Dr. Joseph Lowery.”
No comments:
Post a Comment