PNJ.com: Dr. Barbara Baker Conducts Pensacola Children's Chorus in 'The Angels Sing' Feb. 26

[Dr. Barbara Wesley Baker]

Pensacola News Journal

Children's Chorus gets spiritual

Feb. 23, 2012

Written by Andy Metzger

News Journal Correspondent

“The Pensacola Children's Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote, has a concert prepared for anyone who enjoys choral music that is both beautiful and inspirational as 'The Angels Sing' unfolds on the Saenger stage Sunday afternoon. As it does each year, 'The Angels Sing' will feature classical and contemporary sacred choral literature, but organizers say this year's concert will have an especially exciting energy. Dr. Barbara Baker — an internationally known black conductor, composer and educator — will serve as guest conductor. Baker's own arrangement of the traditional spiritual 'The Storm is Passing Over' is one of the pieces on the program.

“A resident of Silver Spring, Md., Baker has published articles in scholarly journals and has contributed material on black gospel music to several noted textbooks. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, and was chosen as a 1998 Maryland Distinguished Woman in the Arts and as Outstanding Secondary Vocal Music Teacher in Maryland in 1991.” “Other black composers with pieces on 'The Angels Sing' program include Andre Thomas, Rollo Dilworth, Jeffrey Ames and Glen McClure.”

“Another reason audiences enjoy this concert so much each year is the beauty of the more than 300 voices that form the seven choirs of the Pensacola Children's Chorus. These young performers, ages 8-18, prepare all of the music that will be heard in only six rehearsals.”