The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout will take us on a sonic quest produced by National Black Theatre & The Apollo. Taking place in the Opera House at The Kennedy Center, “The Gathering” will center the soul of Black folks and the heart of America's brilliant and bitter present.
This night will feature the DC premiere of Seven Last Words of the Unarmed by Joel Thompson alongside Carlos Simon’s Amen! and Courtney Bryan’s Sanctum. In conjunction with these pieces, the night has been curated in the African tradition of call and response to include original works by genre-defying Black artists such as Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Troy Anthony, and Nona Hendryx.
In celebration and remembrance in honor of Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, the Minnesota Orchestra, alongside guests and members of the Twin Cities community, will perform a program featuring music by African American composers.
Programme includes Carlos Simon's Amen.
Celebrate the genius of American composers as the NSO performs Aaron Copland’s Suite from Billy the Kid and selections from his Old American Songs, Jessie Montgomery’s Banner, and Here I Stand—a new NSO co-commission by Carlos Simon and librettist Dan Harder. Grammy–winning bass-baritone Morris Robinson and The Washington Chorus join for this special concert.