[This
year’s concert will feature appearances by baritone Emory Stephens
and DSO bassist Rick Robinson. (Brazeal Dennard Chorale)]
February
25, 2012
The Detroit News
Brazeal Dennard Chorale celebrates black music's legacy
The Detroit News
Brazeal Dennard Chorale celebrates black music's legacy
By Lawrence B.
Johnson
Special to The Detroit News
“Two traditions of
African-American music will be renewed when the Brazeal Dennard
Chorale presents its second annual Black History Month Legacy Concert
on today at Bethel AME Church.The event celebrates both the legacy of
African-American music and four decades of community performances by
the 24-voice choir, founded by the late Brazeal Dennard and now
directed by Dr. Augustus Hill.”
"We're keeping
up the tradition of what Brazeal had in mind when he started the
choir — the spirituals and the significant works of
African-American classical composers," says Hill, who once
served as Dennard's assistant and whose involvement with the chorus
as a singing member goes back almost to its beginning.”
“This year's
concert will range from the spirituals 'This Little Light of Mine'
and 'My Lord What a Mornin'' to Adolphus Hailstork's 'I Will Lift Up
Mine Eyes' with chamber orchestra and solo soprano Alice McAllister
Tillman. Also featured will be appearances by baritone Emory Stephens
and Detroit Symphony Orchestra bassist Rick Robinson.
"'The legacy of
blacks in pop music — and how we've been able to revolutionize that
culture around the world — is well known,' says Robinson, who will
perform his own duo 'Grief' with cellist Cecelia Sharpe. 'In
classical music, we have an important role to play, as well. As a
musician, I want to see African-Americans inspired by the example of
their achievements.'"
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