Adé Williams, Violinist
Maestro Chelsea Tipton, II
Indianapolis Recorder
Thursday, February 4, 2016
For the past 31
years, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) has allowed the
community to celebrate African-American culture through its annual Black
History concert, and this year will be no different. The event, set for
Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, will honor the
significant impact of African-American culture through classical and
symphonic music, as well as the artistry and creativity of Black
artists, conductors and composers.
The Metropolitan
Youth Orchestra, which is celebrating its 20th season, will perform
pre-concert. Special guests of the evening include Chelsea Tipton II,
accomplished conductor and music director of the Symphony of Southeast
Texas; and 17-year-old violin virtuoso Ade Williams, the 2012 First
Place Laureate of the Sphinx Competition. The event, sponsored by Mays
Chemical Co. and The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, will also honor
the late Amos Brown III during a special tribute.
Jessica Di Santo, director of communications at
the ISO, said she looks forward to seeing the audience members the
moment they make their way through the doors of the theater.
“I love that this audience gets dressed up. It’s
like an extension of their church services and is very spiritual to a
lot of people,” said Di Santo. “During the concert, you can tell the
music fills the hall and fills so many people with happiness. I love the
sense of community this concert has.”
Di Santo said the ISO doesn’t call the event a
celebration for no reason. Given that each concert is different, there
is some tradition attendees can look forward to, such as the performance
of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The ISO finds the event brings in people from all
backgrounds and those who have never experienced the symphony before.
This will be Williams’ first time at the ISO as well.
“I’m excited to play with the Indianapolis
symphony. I’m playing (Ravel’s) “Tzigane” and (William Grant Still’s)
“Summerland,” a piece that’s not performed very often, so I’m glad I get
to share that with the audience,” said Williams, who shared she has
been playing the violin since she was 3 years old and performed her
first solo with an orchestra at age 6. “I’ve been to Indiana several
times, but I haven’t spent much time in Indianapolis to get to know the
people and share experiences with them.”
When it comes to getting involved in the arts, Williams believes young people should “just go for it.”
“It’s a blast to perform and to share music with
people and learn new things. It also teaches you new things in all
aspects of life such as discipline, management, money and career.”
***
For more information, visit IndianapolisSymphony.org.
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