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Bravo 2: American Constellation
November 4, 2023 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
American Constellation
Jubilant voices & vivid classics — featuring pianist Randy Klein & vocalist Aurelia Williams
Gershwin’s jazzy 1920s portrait of An American in Paris sets the tone for a program designed to express the full range of the American experience. Composer Randy Klein brings his distinctive style to vocal settings on four of Margaret Walker’s greatest poems. Also on the program a reading of Alice Walker’s poem “Remember,” Jessie Montgomery’s Black spiritual-based composition Source Code, and Copland’s infectious Rodeo.
(In partnership with Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival, Jackson State University, and the Margaret Walker Center)
Concert Sponsor:
In collaboration with the Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents an evening a program which weds poetry, song, and twentieth-century American musical classics. Alice Walker’s“Remember Me?” and Sonia Sanchez’s “From a Black Feminist Conference: Reflections on Margaret Walker, Poet” will be read by local poet Amanda Furdge, side-by-side with musical settings of four Margaret Walker poems by award-winning composer/pianist Randy Klein, featuring the orchestra with Broadway and Off Broadway singer/actress Aurelia Williams and the combined choirs of Jackson State University, Mississippi College, and Rust College. Also on the program are Jessie Montgomery’s recent Black spiritual-based composition Source Code, George Gershwin’s jazzy An American in Paris and Copland’s infectious Rodeo.
Randy Klein The musical genre of the award-winning composer, pianist, record producer, author, and music educator, Randy Klein, spans jazz, pop, R&B, education (Sesame Street), hip hop, cabaret, rock, and art songs. He has written a dozen musical theatre shows with productions scheduled nationwide, scored three PBS documentaries, and recorded and released numerous solo piano albums. In development are Speak, a musical about communicating with the other side; a folk-opera, Jubilee, based on the award-winning best-selling novel by Margaret Walker; and a recording of his jazz songbook featuring an ‘A’ list of jazz luminaries. Randy lives and ‘loves living’ in NYC. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with his degree handed to him by the great Duke Ellington.
Aurelia Williams After earning B.A. and Masters degrees in Elementary Education at Rutgers University, Aurelia Williams built a stellar career in New York musical theater with Broadway highlights such as its first a capella musical InTransit, the Tony Award-winning revival of Once On This Island, and the critically acclaimed Parade. Roles in Anne Of Green Gables, Rock of Ages, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Newsies and Caroline or Change are just a few of her favorites. Also featured in film and television roles, appeared in the final season of “The Blacklist”.
George Gershwin An American in Paris
Poem by Sonia Sanchez From a Black Feminist Conference: Reflections on Margaret Walker, Poet
Reading by Mississippi poet Amanda Furdge
Music by Randy Klein Four Margaret Walker Poems
Words by Margaret Walker
I Want to Write the Songs
Medgar Evers Arlington Cemetery
For My People
The Ballad of the Free
Aurelia Williams, soloist
Randy Klein, Piano
Combined Choirs of Jackson State University and Mississippi College
Poem byAlice Walker Remember
Reading by Mississippi poet Amanda Furdge
Jessie Montgomery Source Code
Aaron Copland Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
Buckaroo Holiday
Corral Nocturne
Saturday Night Waltz
Hoedown
Tickets are sold online using the “Buy Tickets” button.
Present your ticket on a mobile device or print it.
For assistance with ticket purchases contact MSO Patron Services by phone or email.
6:30pm
Box Office opens at the venue.
7:00pm
Venue doors open.
Limited, free street parking is available at Thalia Mara Hall and its surrounding streets.
Accessible parking is available on West Street.
Paid parking is available at City Centre Garage located across Pascagoula Street on the north side of Thalia Mara Hall. All four surrounding streets allow garage entrance. The parking is about $10 a vehicle.
Dr. Timothy Coker, Professor Emeritus of Music at Millsaps College, will lead a pre-concert lecture with a fascinating look at the evening’s music at 6:30pm on the Mezzanine (top floor) of Thalia Mara Hall.