UDC Chorale To Perform In First Holiday Concert Since Pandemic (1875 hits)
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is having its annual holiday concert on December 5th, 2022 at 7:30pm at the UDC Theatre of the Arts. It will feature performances by the UDC Chorale, directed by Johnny Butler, The Voices, directed by Gerry Gillespie, and the UDC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Allyn Johnson.
Members of the chorale include currently enrolled students and alumni who have been preparing for the performance since the start of the Fall 2022 semester. This will be the first holiday concert since students returned to in-person classes following the pandemic. On the significance of this timing Butler noted, “It’s a major statement”.
The chorale will perform repertoire written by black American composers. Most notably songs by Phillip McIyntire and Evelyn Simpson-Curenton. McIyntire was an organist, composer, and former UDC assistant professor of music before his untimely death in 1991. Simpson-Curenton is a composer, pianist, organist, and vocalist who is the assistant professor for the chorale.
On the importance of singing the music of black composers for this concert, Butler added, “This is an HBCU, and outside of HBCUs, this material would not be sung…in the case of Phillip McIntyre’s ‘Behold That Star’, it has never been professionally published.” He revealed the sheet music was found in a cabinet in the choir room in building 46.
“To write that quality of music, for it to be ignored for the sake of Mozart and Bach, Leonard Berstein and Aaron Copeland, you’ll hear that everywhere, but when has anybody ever heard ‘Behold That Star’? He continued.
The show is free and open to the public, and attendees can also expect to enjoy a musical blend of gospel and jazz. You can learn more information Here.
