When LaKisha Jones sang “I’m Here,” the signature song from the Tony Award-winning musical The Color Purple, she made two pronoun changes that captured the intention behind the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s IN UNISON Chorus presentation of Soul of a People: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music.
“Tonight, we celebrate freedom and we celebrate unity,” McBeth said. “And we want to remind everyone once again how SLSO is on the frontlines when it comes to inclusion and diversity.”
“We’re beautiful,” Jones said, replacing “I” with “we.” “We are beautiful… and we’re here.”
She could barely contain her emotions as she reached for the final line. Tears fell throughout the audience.
That moment reflected what the Juneteenth holiday — and the concert held in its honor — was all about. It was a fitting finale.
An hour and a half earlier, conductor Kevin McBeth — who also directs the IN UNISON Chorus — had set the tone.
“Tonight, we celebrate freedom and we celebrate unity,” McBeth said. “And we want to remind everyone once again how SLSO is on the frontlines when it comes to inclusion and diversity.”
The celebration centered on contributions to the American songbook from icons of Black music whose work still resonates today. American Idol finalist and Broadway performer LaKisha Jones and America’s Got Talent vocalist Ryan Shaw served as featured soloists.
The evening opened with an orchestral rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke,” followed by an homage to The Wiz through “Brand New Day,” written by Luther Vandross. Tributes to Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell followed.
Shaw joined Jones throughout the night, and from his take on Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” he showed he had the range as guests grooved in their seats.
“You thought we were kidding about tonight,” McBeth said. “That’s the way we want to see you celebrate. We want you to express yourselves. And if you want to get up out your seats, make sure you go to the aisles so you’re not blocking anybody.”
By the time IN UNISON and the orchestra assisted Shaw on Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long,” the audience took him up on the offer.
Like Black music — and the Black experience in America — the concert held a wide spectrum of emotion. There was “All Night Long” and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” but also Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” and Jones’ take on Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
One of the most compelling performances came from the SLSO IN UNISON Chorus Young Artists with their arrangement of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” arranged by Young Artists Dillon Carl and Austin Sharriff.
McBeth also used the concert to share breaking news — that a hometown hero will return next season.
“Jenifer Lewis, the Mother of Black Hollywood, will be back on stage with us again,” McBeth said. “I know some of you are thinking, ‘Jenifer Lewis sings…’ Yes, she does, and she’ll be here with us again.”
The Kinloch native actress, singer and bestselling author will be the featured soloist for IN UNISON Christmas. She last performed with the chorus during their Lift Every Voice Black History Month Concert in 2012.
McBeth reiterated SLSO and IN UNISON’s desire to make Soul of a People an annual program, alongside IN UNISON Christmas and Lift Every Voice.
“If we plan a Juneteenth concert next summer, can we see you,” McBeth asked. The audience responded with overwhelming applause.
That energy carried through the encore — “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” — featuring Jones and Shaw.
“The thing I’m most excited about is always introducing you to new singers,” McBeth said. “And this opportunity with LaKisha and Ryan has just been incredible.”