Reflect and Rejoice
Reflect and Rejoice: A Musical Tribute to Dr Martin Luther King Jr is an annual tribute concert jointly sponsored by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Alys Stephens Center in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. The program is held on the Sunday afternoon before Martin Luther King Day. It has typically been conducted by guest Leslie Dunner, music director for the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Illinois.
2005
The inaugural concert was held on January 16, 2005 and was conducted by Leslie Dunner. The program featured cellist Patrice Jackson in Robert Schumann's Cello Concerto in A Minor (Opus 129). The Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir took the stage for the second half of the program, featuring a Henry Panion symphonic arrangement of Edwin Hawkins' funk-gospel treatment of the 18th century hymn "Oh Happy Day".
2006
The January 15, 2006 featured Dunner conducting, guest pianist Stewart Goodyear, and the UAB Concert Choir.
2007
2008
The January 20, 2008 concert featured several works Aaron Copland and a song cycle composed and arranged by conductor Leslie Dunner. The second half of the program led off with James Kimo Williams' "Fanfare for Life".
2009
The January 18, 2009 concert will feature five works by Aaron Copland (the "Party Scene and Finale" from The Tender Land, arrangements of the traditional songs "Zion's Walls" and "Ching-A-Ring Chaw", and A Lincoln Portrait and "Fanfare for the Common Man" with narration by Dennis Pope.) and several arrangements by Andre Previn. Soprano Bronwyn Forbay will be featured in the first half of the program. The Alabama A&M University Choir will take the stage after intermission. Elias Hendricks will sing tenor. The program will be conducted by Leslie Dunner. The A&M Choir is directed by Horace Carney, Jr.
External links
- Reflect and Rejoice page at alysstephens.uab.edu