Two choral groups from the area take to the stage this weekend to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Like many events in centuries past, the historic moment will be a first. The Washington Performing Arts Society’s esteemed group, Men, Women and Children of the Gospel Choir, joins hands, hearts and voices alongside the Choral Arts Society of Washington in this initial, collaborative program titled “Living the Dream … Singing the Dream” in celebration of King’s legacy.
| On Stage |
| ‘Living the Dream … Singing the Dream’ Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| When: 7 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: The performance was sold out at press time, but scattered seating may be available; 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600 |
While the WPAS Gospel Choir has been presenting this tribute for over 20 years around the civil rights leader’s birthday in January, the plan this year focuses on a tribute to Black History Month and the White House presentation of its annual humanitarian award to this year’s recipient, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon. As a member of the Freedom Singers in the 1960s, Reagon later founded the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock.
With more than 300 voices onstage, Choral Arts founder and conductor Norman Scribner, in tandem with Stanley Thurston, artistic director and conductor of the Gospel Choir, promise a great, full sound.
“Both of us will be conducting throughout the program, individual groups will sing and then, we’ll all be singing together,” Thurston said. “These two organizations are a little bit different in makeup, historically, [but] we are all onstage for the first time, actually putting the ‘Dream’ into reality.”
The program opens with an audience sing-along, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” Among almost 12 pieces, separated by Reagon’s award ceremony, Choral Arts will present “Ain’t Got Time to Die.” Children of the Gospel Choir sing “Determined (To Go On)” and several joint ventures that include “Hold On” and “Clap Praise.” Another audience sing-along, “If I Can Help Somebody,” closes the program.
“Very few figures have contributed so much to the heart and soul of America as Dr. King,” Scribner said. “We are especially happy this year to be joining with [the WPAS] and their outstanding chorus of Men, Women and Children of the Gospel for an unforgettable remembrance of all that has been accomplished so far, and a rededication to an even brighter future for us all.”
