American Spiritual Ensemble, Founded by Dr. Everett McCorvey, is on the Annual Winter Tour

[Dr. Everett McCorvey]

Cherry Duke is a mezzo-soprano and voice instructor who brings the American Spiritual Ensemble to our attention. Its Founder is Dr. Everett McCorvey, Director of Opera at the University of Kentucky School of Music. The American Spiritual Ensemble has begun its annual Winter tour, which takes it to the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, Tennessee at 8:00 p.m. tonight:

“Dear Mr. Zick,

I found your AfriClassical blog through a link on the NPR.org web site. I am a mezzo-soprano and a member of the American Spiritual Ensemble (www.americanspiritualensemble.com). I felt this group would be of interest to you. We are currently on our annual Winter tour...”

“This renowned group is 15+ years old and composed of world-class operatic and Broadway soloists whose mission it is to keep the Spirituals alive. We sing choral arrangements of Spirituals in concert with solos and small ensembles as well. Some of our current soloists include Angela Brown (Aïda at the Metropolitan Opera), Karen Slack (several roles at the Metropolitan Opera) and Sam McKelton (The Lion King on Broadway). Dr. Everett McCorvey is the founder and artistic director. He is also Professor of Voice and Head of Opera at the University of Kentucky.

“Our concert schedule is on the ASE home page (www.americanspiritualensemble.com). We would be honored if you could attend one of our shows. I guarantee you would love it! As well, if you have any interest in writing about our group we would greatly appreciate the publicity. Please feel free to contact me or Dr. McCorvey with any questions. I look forward to your reply. 

Warmly,

Cherry Duke”

mezzo-soprano | voice instructor

Winter Tour
"Saturday, January 14, 2012 

8:00pm

Clayton Center for the Arts 

Maryville, TN

Monday, January 16, 2012 

7:00pm

Allegheny Arts Council, Covington High School 

Convington, VA

Sunday, January 29, 2012 

4:00pm

Cultural Arts for Everyone “CAFE” Memphis, First Baptist Broadway 

Memphis, TN”

UKY.edu Faculty Bio

“Everett McCorvey

Director of Opera, Lexington Opera Society Endowed Chair in Opera Studies

Degrees:

DMA University of Alabama 1989

MM University of Alabama 1981

BM University of Alabama 1979

At UK since: 1991

“Everett McCorvey, tenor, is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. He received his degrees from the University of Alabama, including a Doctorate of Musical Arts. He has performed in many cities around the world and theaters across the country, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Kennedy Center, Aspen Music Festival, Blossom Music Festival, Whitewater Opera Company, Radio City Music hall, Birmingham Opera Theater, Teatro Comunale in Florence, Italy, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, England, as well as performances throughout Spain, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Austria, Japan, China, Brazil, Poland, Portugal and Hungary. He is tenor soloist on two CD recordings conducted by Maestro Julius Williams, one entitled Symphonic Brotherhood featuring the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra performing the symphonic works of African-American Composers released in the fall of 1994, and one entitled The American Soloist featuring the Dvorak Symphony in Praue, Czech Republic released the fall of 2004 highlighting new American works. He has returned to the Czech Republic to perform with the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro Kirk Trevor as well as to the Slovak Republic. He has also appeared in television movies and feature films including The Long Walk Home.”  [Maestro Julius Penson Williams (b. 1954) is featured at AfriClassical.com]