UNIVERSITY PARK — Singers from the Penn State and State College communities as well as a historically Black university will celebrate the influence and inspiration of human-rights champion Martin Luther King Jr.
The general-admission 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, concert in Eisenhower Auditorium will feature vocal and choral hymns and protest songs that celebrate the legacy of the civil-rights champion.
Call 814-863-0255 or visit “A Choral Tribute” for details or to purchase tickets.
The program will feature Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, conducted by Reginald A. Golden; Penn State’s Essence of Joy and Essence 2 Ltd., conducted by Anthony T. Leach; and State College Area High School Master Singers, conducted by Erik Clayton. Penn State dance ensembles also will perform.
“A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” is a vocal program modeled after the success of a concert series at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. That concert event, started in 1990, features local high school, university/college, worship center and community choirs coming together to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday through song.
The program includes spiritual favorites such as “Amazing Grace,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Hear My Prayer” and “One Mo’ River to Cross.”
“We’re celebrating Dr. King,” Howard Gospel Choir Business Manager Ray Bramble said. “It’s going to include an eclectic assembly of different types of gospel. There will be some traditional, there will be something more contemporary. It’ll be a good blend.”
Read a Center for the Performing Arts interview with Bramble.
Acknowledgements
This performance is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Commemoration, presented in partnership with the Penn State Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity and the MLK Jr. Student Commemorative Committee.
Penn Highlands Healthcare is the corporate sponsor. Support is provided by the Glenn and Nancy Gamble Endowment. Support for accessibility services is provided by William E. McTurk Endowment for Program Support and Gerald B. M. Stein Memorial Endowment. A grant from the University Park Student Fee Board makes Penn State student prices possible.
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