“It’s going to be joyous indeed,” said Scott Kennebeck, executive and artistic director for Cathedral Concerts ahead of the premiere of their concert series to celebrate the influence of African American gospel music at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
He first booked the American Spiritual Ensemble, whose mission is to further the African-American spiritual tradition, but also wanted to expand on that.
“I thought, ‘Isn’t there a way we can make this bigger than just a one concert event on February 1?’” Kennebeck recalled.
One show became three. The first takes place this Friday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.
The Cathedral Concerts later connected with the local groups Gospel Symphonic Choir and the North City Deanery Choir. Kennebeck said he hopes to see the “Joyous Jubilee” become an annual event.
Thedford said the Gospel Symphonic Choir will sing what they call sacred music, which includes spirituals, anthems and contemporary gospel music.
“It certainly is a wonderful experience, first of all, to sing in such a room like the [Cathedral Basilica] and for us to sing for such a wide range of an audience, and to show the various genres of music that we sing in the sacred setting – and particularly in African-American setting,” Thedford added.
With followup concerts taking place Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, the Cathedral Concerts “Joyous Jubilee” series will celebrate the influence of African-American music.
Layne described the different repertoire that his North City Deanery Choir will pursue during their performance.
“We’re trying to showcase contemporary gospel at its best from some periods of time people have never heard music from,” Layne said, making mention of Donny Hathaway, Richard Smallwood and the group Hot Tea, with members including Angela Winbush and Tawatha Agee.
When asked where gospel music gets its power from, Layne suggested that singers “find a spot in their heart where it’s the deepest moment in their life, and they begin to proclaim to God how they are grateful for the blessings they’re receiving right now … It’s from the soul, it’s from the heart.”
“You’re no longer just singing notes, but those notes literally become alive. And that’s the difference in singing that gospel music. It’s just not notes, but it’s very much a part of [the singers],” Thedford added.
Cathedral Concerts Joyous Jubilee: Music to Lift the Soul Series will premiere at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 18 with the North City Deanery Choir and continue on Friday, January 25 with the Gospel Symphonic Choir. The series will conclude on February 1 with the American Spiritual Ensemble. All performances will take place at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108) and are free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://cathedralconcerts.org.
Edited and republished with permission of St. Louis Public Radio from http://news.stlpublicradio.org
