If you go
› What: American Spiritual Ensemble residency performances.› When: 11 a.m. today, Feb. 9 (Guerry Auditorium); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 (Guerry Auditorium); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 (All Saints’ Chapel).› Where: University of the South, 735 University Ave., Sewanee, Tenn.› Phone: 931-598-1000.› Website: www.sewanee.edu.
The American Spiritual Ensemble, whose 24 professional singers rank among the finest in the classical music world, will be in residence in Sewanee, Tenn., through the end of the week.
Dr. Everett McCorvey, professor of voice and director of opera at the University of Kentucky, founded the ASE in 1995 with a mission to keep the African-American spiritual alive. The ensemble's repertoire includes classic spirituals, jazz and Broadway numbers highlighting the black experience.
Their residency at the University of the South will include three free performances (all times are Central).
* Today, Feb. 9: The first performance is a community welcome assembly at 11 a.m. in Guerry Auditorium, with fifth-graders from Sewanee Elementary School and the vocal ensemble from St. Andrew's-Sewanee School participating. The students will join the ASE in leading a sing-along of familiar texts and tunes.
* Friday, Feb. 10: The ASE will be joined by the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in Guerry Auditorium in a performance that includes selections from George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and works of Duke Ellington.
McCorvey and César Leal, conductor of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra and assistant professor of music, have been colleagues since Leal received a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. This collaboration is a highlight of the orchestra's 30th season.
* Saturday, Feb. 11: The final performance of the residency will feature the ASE in concert at 7:30 p.m. in All Saints' Chapel, singing such favorites as "My Lord, What a Morning," "Steal Away," "Walk Together Children," "Give Me Jesus" and "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King."
Five local choirs - Sewanee Praise, the Sewanee Chorale, the University Choir, Schola from the School of Theology and the upper-school vocal ensemble of St. Andrew's-Sewanee School - will join in a final selection, "Keep Marchin' Til I Make It Home," a piece written for the ASE by Raymond Wise. Wise was commissioned to write the double-choir piece to give the ensemble and host choirs a selection to perform together.
"I believe that this residency can be a vital part of the university's goal to do something that engages us in active participation for diversity and inclusion," said Dean of the College Terry Papillon.
"Three performances are planned for 'town and gown' to hear, consider and sing about the role of the African-American spiritual through slavery, emancipation and the civil-rights movement. This repertoire has relevant themes in the present day."