Charleston Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir Opens Season in Summerville SC 6 PM Saturday Sept. 21 With 'Wind and Mockingbird'

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.