Valerie Coleman’s “Umoja” featured in SLSO Martin Luther King, Jr. Day concert

Coleman’s “Umoja: Anthem of Unity” is to be performed alongside works by Florence Price, and Rollo Dilworth and traditional hymns (Photo credit: SLSO)

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has announced a free concert to be held on January 17, 2022.

The SLSO will collaborate with resident choral ensembles and students in SLSO’s Peer to Peer youth programs under the direction of Music Director Stéphane Denève, IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth, and St. Louis Symphony Chorus Director Amy Keiser. Supported by Commerce Bank, the concert will take place at Powell Hall on Monday, January 17, at 7:00 pm and will be broadcast live on KWMU 90.7 St. Louis Public Radio.

The concert will feature “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by J. Rosamond Johnson, Umoja: Anthem of Unity by Valerie Coleman, “Justice” by Rollo Dilworth, and John Williams’ “Dry Your Tears, Afrika” from Amistad. The concert will end with the final movement of Divides That Bind by St. Louis composer Adam Maness, written in 2014. The SLSO commissioned an arrangement of Divides That Bind for full orchestra and chorus, then performed the world premiere at its annual Lift Every Voice concert in 2015. Divides That Bind includes a narration of Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech as part of the work.

Marie-Hélène Bernard, President and CEO of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, said, "Our entire SLSO family is honored to join so many others in our community, across our nation, and around the world, who are committed to advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are grateful to participate in the day of service by tapping into the power of music as a vehicle to build community. On behalf of the many musicians who comprise each of our resident ensembles, the young people who enrich our lives through their participation in SLSO youth programming, our staff, and our board, we invite all of you to join us—at Powell Hall or via the airwaves on KWMU—for this special concert commemorating one of the most important civil rights activists."

Free tickets for this concert are available now at slso.org or by calling the SLSO Box Office at 314-534-1700.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required for all audience members 12 and older at every Powell Hall event. All patrons are required to wear masks while inside Powell Hall. Visit slso.org/protocols for more information.

Monday, January 17, 2022, 7:00pm CST
Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103

Stéphane Denève, conductor
Kevin McBeth, conductor
Amy Kaiser, conductor
St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus
St. Louis Symphony Chorus

J. Rosamond JOHNSON (arr. Carter) "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Valerie COLEMAN Umoja: Anthem of Unity
Rollo DILWORTH "Justice"
TRADITIONAL (arr. Hayes) "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me"
William STEFFE (arr. Wilhousky) "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Florence PRICE (arr. Akiko Hosoi) Adoration
John WILLIAMS "Dry Your Tears, Afrika" from Amistad
Adam MANNESS Divides That Bind

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