PROGRAM
Scott JOPLIN | Overture from Treemonisha
Florence PRICE | Andante Moderato from String Quartet in G major
Margaret BONDS | VI. Lament from Montgomery Variations
Jennifer HIGDON | Raucous Rumpus from Dance Card
Trevor WESTON | Aurorean Air
Jennifer HIGDON ||Machina Rockus from Dance Card
Michael R. DUDLEY Jr. | A Prayer for Our Times for String Orchestra
BRITTEN | Simple Symphony II. Playful Pizzicato
Jessie MONTGOMERY | Strum
Grace WILLIAMS | II. Sailing Song from Sea Sketches
TCHAIKOVSKY | Serenade mvt. IV: Finale (Teme Russo)
INSPIRATION
We’re going on tour! Join us as we set off to Atlanta to celebrate the rich musical tradition and educational prowess of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“We are embarking on a new adventure, one that ties our two cities together. We bring with us the spirit of inclusivity, unity and the universal language of music,” said Maestra Mei-Ann Chen.
Sinfonietta Serendipityย
Long ago, Maestro Paul Freeman met Martin Luther King Jr. at the Atlanta Airport while guest conducting the Atlanta Symphony. Dr. King commented on Freeman’s work as the “last bastion of elitism,” inspiring Freeman to found Chicago Sinfonietta (CS). For 36 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to delivering music education, free citywide symphonic performances, and diverse orchestral celebrations to those traditionally not exposed to the classical art form.
On March 4-5, we’re hosting a series of panel discussions, performances and master classes across the Spelman College campus. From the instruments to the composers, each event further enriches the community in the importance of diversity at each symphonic level.
HBCU Harmonyย
For over a century, the HBCU tradition has laid a foundation for Black identity and creativity. They foster a sense of cultural pride while contributing to the development of global leaders as they break through glass ceilings in various fields. Beyond education, these institutions engage with their communities, promoting diversity and unity. Today, HBCUs continue to be influential in addressing historical inequalities and shaping the landscape of leadership and social change.
At CS, we’re inspired each day by these institutions’ drive, intellectualism and creative curiosity for their student body and the greater community. As such, our concert visuals parallel this notion of identity. The imagery features fingerprint patterns as a nod to the self-expression that’s allowed to flourish at each HBCU. Our bold use of asymmetrical text is a call back to the, once bold, belief that the Black body and mind should be free.
Each CS concert is a dialogue, so please share what HBCUs, Black creativity, and the freedom of artistic expression means to you.
Hope to see you at the concert on March 5 at 7:30 PM.
