The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Classical Roots concert in the recently renovated Music Hall on April 20, led by John Morris Russell. The program, “Under One Roof,” will feature the orchestra and a 150-voice CSO Community Mass Choir of singers from area churches. Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins—who is also founder of the nonprofit Music Kitchen series of music performances in homeless shelters in New York City—will serve as the CSO’s inaugural Classical Roots Artist-in-Residence, working with CSO musicians, students, and community members April 2 to 5. The April 20 concert will feature music that explores Music Hall’s history as a venue for the orchestra and as a gathering place that hosted jazz, soul, rock and R&B artists. This year, Classical Roots will include music by African-American composers such as Eubie Blake and James Reese Europe, and will also recognize Marion Anderson, the first African-American to perform on stage at Music Hall’s Spring Auditorium. Also performing will be CSYO Nouveau Chamber Players, a string ensemble comprised of African-American and Latino student musicians, as well seven CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows, who will perform together on stage for the first time since Music Hall’s reopening in October.
Posted March 1, 2018
