Robert Ray, the legend of St. Louis music associated most closely with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s IN UNISON Chorus and its annual Gospel Christmas program, will watch this year’s show with the rest of us.
“I’ve tried to stay away and let this transitional year happen without my presence,”the conductor and composer said of his first holiday season in retirement.
Ray is simply too respectful of other people and professionals, and too humble, to attempt to throw around his influence as a legacy figure on a show he defined and embodied.
But his presence will be felt Thursday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. when the symphony presents A Gospel Christmas at Powell Hall,with featured vocalist Wintley Phipps and conductor Charles Floyd.
“Charles Floyd has done several past arrangements for us,” Ray said. “Most recently, ‘O Jesus, What a Wonderful Child,’ which was quite fine. He conducts a Gospel Christmas in Seattle.”
Ray was chatting about a talented contemporary, rather than speaking up for the symphony orchestra about this year’s show.
“I know what kind of organization they are,” Ray said of SLSO. “They are highly organized. You will need to check with them about this year’s program.”
This year’s concert will feature Floyd’s orchestrations of Israel Houghton’s “Zion Rejoice” (featuring Rosalyn A. Woods, alto) and “Tidings” (featuring Duane Foster, tenor) and Scott Hiltzik’s “Solace.”
The chorus also will tackle Floyd’s own compositions “Symphony of Carols” and “Fantasy on a Ukrainian Carol,” as well as some seasonal favorites: Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Joy to the World” and “Amazing Grace,” with a number of arrangements by J. Daniel Smith.
As a conductor, Floyd has been heard in concert with more than 500 orchestras since 1991, in programs that have featured Grace Bumbry, Elton John, Kirk Franklin and Stevie Wonder.
His 11-year partnership with Natalie Cole included such projects as the multiple Grammy Award-winning tribute to Nat King Cole entitled Unforgettable, with Love and the Emmy Award-winning PBS Great Performances concert video of the same title.
His compositions range from chamber music to large orchestral and vocal works, including a tribute to the Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., One Man’s Dream for narrator and orchestra, which was commissioned and premiered by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in 2001.
Dwayne Buggs is the rehearsal conductor for this year’s concert, Susan Patterson is chorus manager and Henry Palkes is the accompanist.
Tickets for the concert are $70-$25. Tickets for this concert and the other SLSO holiday productions are available now at the Powell Hall Box Office, online at www.stlsymphony.org, or by phone at 314.534.1700. The Powell Hall Box Office is located at 718 North Grand Boulevard in Grand Center.
