Annual concert also to feature world premiere of new arrangement
By Chris King Of the St. Louis American
It is not lost on Robert Ray that he and the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, which he directs, will be performing with gospel star CeCe Winans tonight and tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18 and 19 (at 7:30 p.m. both nights) at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand Blvd.
“This will be our second time performing with her, and the last time was just awesome,” Ray told the American.
“There are some great things on her new CD, and we’ll be doing some things off it.”
Winans’ new CD, Thy Kingdom Come, has earned her two 2008 Grammy nominations: for best contemporary gospel album and for best gospel performance on “Waging War.”
St. Louis-based recording artist Flame was nominated for best rock or rap gospel album for his 2008 release Our World Redeemed.
“I just love her style,” Ray said of Winans.
“I love her smoothness, her easiness, her beautiful voices that she uses so gorgeously and so powerfully.”
This weekend, she will be using this voice in service to IN UNISON’s annual Gospel Christmas concert, which is likely to fill the room at Powell with praise and celebration.
Though Winans gets her name on the marquee, and will bring a fresh crowd to the symphony hall, Ray is just as excited about a more traditional piece of gospel fare that he commissioned for the program.
“We’re going to do the world premiere of a new arrangement for ‘Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child,’” Ray said.
“It’s an old, traditional, African-American gospel piece that has come down through the ages, and I didn’t know it had never been arranged for a full-fledged orchestra.”
Ray commissioned Los Angeles-based artist Charles Floyd to do the arrangement. Ray previously has commissioned Floyd to arrange Kurt Carr compositions for the orchestra.
Floyd’s arrangement for “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child” will be for a “full orchestra” of 75-80 pieces, Ray said, with Ray’s favorite vocalist n his wife, Sylvia Ray n taking the solo.
The Gospel Christmas also will look past the old African-American spirituals to African cultural roots in a staging of the Nigerian choral piece “Betelehemu” (Bethlehem), with choreography by Black Rep favorite Keith Tyrone Williams.
The program will open with a dear audience favorite, “Anthem of Praise” by Richard Smallwood.
Tickets for all performances may be purchased online at www.slso.org or at the Powell Hall Box Office by phone at 314-534-1700 or in person at 718 North Grand Blvd.
Kwanzaa at SLAM
The Saint Louis Art Museum will present Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration, a free holiday program presented in the Museum Auditorium on Friday, Dec. 26 from 6-7 p.m. The program will celebrate African-American culture with readings, music, and dance.
The program begins at 6 p.m. in the auditorium with a keynote address by Rudy Wilson, former Assistant Provost at Southern Illinois University-Edwardville, and drumming and dancing by Moja Moya & Company. Immediately following the auditorium presentation, children are invited to Sculpture Hall to create their own zawadi (gift) to take home, and everyone can enjoy African-inspired refreshments while listening to the music of David A. N. Jackson and ACOOAAH!
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration beginning Dec. 26. It observes Nguzo Saba, the seven guiding principles for strengthening family, community and cultural values.
The Museum presents this program in collaboration with the St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Seating is limited; please arrive early.
Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free to all every day. For more information about the Saint Louis Art Museum, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.