Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Piccolo Spoleto: Charleston Gospel Choir Honors James Weldon Johnson, 5 PM Sat. May 26, Morris St. Baptist Church, Charleston, SC

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)

Charleston Gospel Choir at Piccolo Spoleto

James Weldon Johnson HIStory & Words Saturday, May 26, 2018

May 7, 2018Charleston SC—The Charleston Gospel Choir is pleased to present James Weldon Johnson HIStory & Words Saturday, May 26, 2018, 5 p.m. as part of the 2018 Piccolo Spoleto Festival at Morris Street Baptist Church, 25 Morris Street, Charleston under the musical direction of Dr. Lester S. Green, Jr., guest conductor.

Through song and narration, the performance showcases and honors the remarkable life and work of Renaissance man James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938), an African-American author, educator, lawyer, diplomat, songwriter, and civil rights activist best remembered for his early leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and musical works including his poetic lyrics of Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, now considered the "Negro National Anthem.” 

The internationally acclaimed Choir will perform moving gospel and spiritual standards including Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing along with gospel greats including All We Ask by Donnie McClurkin, Aretha Franklin’s arrangement of How I Got Over, Charleston Gospel Choir’s arrangement of Amazing Grace, Edwin Hawkins’ Grammy award-winning Oh Happy Day, and many others.

“I’ve been fascinated with Weldon Johnson’s story and felt many do not know his legacy beyond his poem Lift Ev’ry Voice. HIStory chronicles his path that paved the way for many civil rights cases including the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education,” said Lee Pringle, Choir President and event producer.

“I am delighted to tell the story of such an iconic contributor to black history with this amazing group of singers and Associate Director Jennifer J. Ancrum,” added Dr. Lester S. Green Jr., guest conductor.

Tickets and Information
Charleston Gospel Choir | James Weldon Johnson HIStory & Words
Piccolo Spoleto Festival
Saturday, May 26, 2018 • 5 p.m.
Morris Street Baptist Church, 25 Morris Street, Charleston, SC 29403

General Admission Tickets
$21 adults; $11 children/students with ID
or at door (cash or check only) up to one half hour before event

About the Charleston Gospel Choir
Now in its eighteen year, the Charleston Gospel Choir celebrates and performs gospel, spirituals and sacred music for annual concert events including a Palm Saturday weekend performance, Charleston Gospel Christmas, Piccolo Spoleto, and regional events throughout the southeast with numerous international engagements including Paris, London, Rome and Prague and Ghana, West Africa. www.charlestongospelchoir.org


Charleston Gospel Choir • PO Box 22724 • Charleston SC • 29413-2724

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