Charleston Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir
David A. Richardson
CSO GOSPEL CHOIR presents
The Wind and the Mockingbird: How the Written Word Changed Society
2013-14 Season Opening Performance, Summerville Saturday, September 21
Charleston
SC—August 29, 2013 −The
Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Gospel Choir and the Berkeley County Chorus
are pleased to present The Wind and the Mockingbird: How the Written Word Changed Society,
a concert theme inspired by literary works Gone With the Wind and
To Kill A Mockingbird on Saturday September 21, 2013, 6:00pm
at Cane Bay High School, Summerville as part of a special CSO Gospel
Choir/Berkeley County School District musical and educational
partnership.
Through dramatic
gospel music and historical narration, this performance is inspired by
two best-selling literary novels that helped change the tone and course
of U.S. race relations.
The CSO Gospel
Choir’s 2013-2014 season opening performance highlights the work of two
female authors each of whom only wrote one seminal work in their
lifetime: Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel
Gone With the Wind, a sweeping depiction of the privileged South during the Civil War and Harper Lee’s 1960
To Kill A Mockingbird, a personal account of racial heroism
set in the Deep South during the Depression. Music and narration will
honor these award-winning works that wielded enormous influence in
changing America’s view of race relations, prejudice and injustice with
their portrayal of strong African-American characters,
both later brought to the big screen to massive public appeal.
“The
opportunity to bring our students and community together through a
world-class music and literature event with the CSO Gospel Choir is an
amazing gift,” Archie Franchini, deputy superintendent for the Berkeley
County School District, said. “We are thrilled
that music professionals are working with our students in this capacity
and that we can host this event for the Cane Bay community.”
The performance will feature more traditional gospel selections including
Walk Around Heaven All Day, May The Work I’ve Done Speak For Me,
along with historical narration that illustrates the transformational
power of literature and its ability to alter the attitudes of a nation
gripped by a history of racial inequality.
“The written word
has often shown us how to do the right thing. Most people remember the
southern depiction of domestic help as the traditional role afforded
black Americans. Both literary settings were strong
but one so sweeping it provided the platform for the first Academy
Award for a black actor,” said Lee Pringle, producer and CSO Gospel
Choir President.
This performance is dedicated to former Berkeley County District music teachers Mildred Brevard and Mary Quinney.
Generous sponsorship support provided by
Cooper River Partners
LLC and Gramling Brothers Real Estate & Development
Tickets and Information
CSO Gospel Choir: The Wind and the Mockingbird: How the Written Word Changed Society
Saturday September 21, 2013, 6:00pm
Cane Bay High School, 1624 State Road, Summerville SC
Tickets: $10 adults: $5 students
Online: www.csogospel.com
By phone (866) 811-4111
At door: Cash or check only up to one hour before performance
About the CSO Gospel Choir
Now in its
thirteenth year, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Gospel Choir,
Charleston’s celebrated culturally diverse choir, performs gospel,
spirituals and sacred music for annual concert events including
a Palm Sunday performance, CSO Gospel Christmas, Piccolo Spoleto and
regional events throughout the southeast
and numerous engagements in Europe including Paris, London, Rome and Prague. The Choir also visited Ghana, West Africa in 2012.
CSOGospel.com
About
Music Director David A. Richardson
CSO
Gospel Choir Music Director David A. Richardson is a recipient of the
prestigious Charleston Southern University Horton School of Music Senior
Excellence Award for his exceptional
work in the area of Choral Music Education and is a noted baritone
soloist who has garnered admiration of the choral community throughout
the Carolinas.
As
a professional vocalist he toured the United Kingdom, Scotland,
Austria, and Prague, where he performed with the CSU concert choir to
much acclaim. An accomplished pianist, Mr.
Richardson has served as music director for several regional
productions and has accompanied choral programs and honor choirs at all
levels including three seasons with the University Children's Choir.
Mr.
Richardson serves as Director of Choral Activities at Fort Dorchester
High School, earning consistent superior ratings at regional concert
festivals. Prior to his tenure at
Fort Dorchester High School he served as Band Director and Music
Specialist in the Berkeley County School District and Director of Vocal
Music for the Charleston Southern University Music Camp and Oconee
County Choral Festival. Mr. Richardson earned his Bachelor
of Arts in Music Education from Charleston Southern University and is a
Master of Music Education candidate at Kent State University.
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