'Clark Sisters and Smokie Norful teamed up with Conductor Dr. Henry Panion, III, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and a 125-voice Gospel choir' Feb. 16

Dr. Henry Panion, III 

conducts Singers, Gospel Choir and Alabama Symphony at concert in Birmingham on Saturday, February 16, 2013

February 19, 2013
Gnosis Media Group

Birmingham, AL - Attendees at A Gospel Symphony Celebration in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the BJCC Concert Hall experienced the rarest of treats when legendary Gospel recording artists the Clark Sisters and Smokie Norful teamed up with Conductor Dr. Henry Panion, III, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and a 125-voice Gospel choir. Panion, most known for his work as conductor and arranger for Superstar Stevie Wonder, has also arranged, orchestrated, and conducted for a venerable list of Gospel elite, including Kirk Franklin, Blind Boys of Alabama, Tramaine Hawkins, Kurt Carr, and the Winans.

After a stirring opening with Panion’s orchestral rendition of “Ride On King Jesus,” the Clark Sisters – individually Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark-Terrell, Jacky Clark-Chisolm, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Dorinda Clark-Cole – joined the stage in a perfect blend with the orchestra on “Livin,” immediately bringing the audience to its feet.

Powerful performances of Clark Sister classics followed, including “Praying Spirit,” which featured the orchestra’s string section in a neo-classical style imitating each sister’s vocal lines…truly something to behold. And if there was any doubt as to why this Grammy Award winning group is the highest selling female gospel group of all time, that doubt was quickly settled with the impeccable, vocal prowess presented by the Clark Sisters that night. This was matched only by the skillful performance of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the sure-handed baton of Dr. Panion.

Smokie Norful came to the stage midway during the first half of the concert, singing his festive “Celebrate” to an audience that was more than eager to celebrate with him. 

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As the creative force behind Gospel Goes Classical, the Billboard Gospel and Classical Crossover history-making recording, Dr. Panion’s merging of classical and Gospel music is a seemingly match made in Heaven.