New England Conservatory Presents
26th Annual Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee,February 19-20, 2005
NEC's 200-Voice Millennium Gospel Choir Featured at Sunday
Afternoon Concert in NEC's Jordan Hall

Freda Battle

It may be dark and cold outside, but inside the musicians will be celebrating the light of the spirit and the warmth of love at New England Conservatory's 26th Annual Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee, February19-20, 2005. Over two days and three concerts, voices will ring out in NEC's Jordan Hall and Roxbury's Eliot Church , praising God in musical selections drawn from the deepest rural traditions to the youngest urban expressions.

Vocal and instrumental ensembles will be drawn from NEC and Boston area churches, highlighted by NEC's 200-voice Millennium Gospel Choir, which performs Sunday afternoon, February 20, at 3 p.m. in NEC's Jordan Hall. A jazz orchestra composed of NEC instrumentalists will also collaborate with chorus in selections from Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts under the direction of Ken Schaphorst, NEC Jazz Studies and Improvisation chair, Sunday evening at 7:30 in Roxbury's Eliot Church.

Founded in the year 2000, the NEC Millennium Gospel Choir was created togive praise and prayerful welcome to the coming of a new age. The 200 members, drawn from church choirs throughout the greater Boston area, were individually selected because of their superior dedication, vocal technique, range, and commitment to gospel music.

During its debut year, the choir shared the Jordan Hall stage with Richard Smallwood as part of NEC's 21st Annual Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee.The Boston Globe was captivated: "Always, the power of the choir was palpable, and its ability to sound reverent, even tender, was riveting."That same weekend, an unprecedented performance took place at Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross, with support from the Archdiocese of Boston, the Boston Cultural Council, and Gillette.

The Millennium Choir is ministered to and directed by an ensemble of preeminent ministers of music/choir directors at churches across the city. Each musical director is a recipient of NEC's prestigious Gospel Music Award. The directors are: Min. Freda Battle, James A. Early, Herb Jones,Renese King, Dennis Montgomery III, Donnell Patterson, George W. Russell,Jr., Dennis Slaughter, and Hobert S. Yates. Choir coordinators arePatricia Dance and Donnell Patterson.Sponsored by New England Conservatory, the Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee is a project of NEC's Community Collaborations Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee Planning Committee and GNE Productions: Freda Battle, PatriciaDance (GNE), James A. Early, Herb Jones, Renese King, Dennis MontgomeryIII, Donnell L. Patterson (GNE), Dennis L. Slaughter, and Hobert S. Yates.Calvin Hicks is NEC's Director of Community Collaborations.

The Schedule of Performances

New England Conservatory Gospel Jubilee
February 19-20, 2005
Saturday, February 19, 7:00pm
NEC's Jordan Hall
Freda Battle and the Temple Worshippers
NEC Community Gospel Choir
Voices of Unity
George W. Russell Jr.
Children of the Light Dance Ministry, St. Paul AME Church
Just 4 Praize

Sunday, February 20, 3:00pm
NEC's Jordan Hall
New England Conservatory's 200-voice Millennium Gospel Choir
NEC String Ensemble
Renese King, soloist

Musical directors: Patricia Dance, James A. Early, Evelyn Lee Jones,
Renese King, Dennis Montgomery III, Donnell L. Patterson, George W.
Russell Jr., Dennis L. Slaughter, Hobert S. Yates
Frederick Hayes Dance Company, adult and children's companies
Phillips Academy Gospel Choir, Hobert S. Yates, director
Northeastern University Gospel Choir, Jonathan Singleton, director
George W. Russell Jr. Trio with spoken word artist Robyn Rease
New England Gospel Ensemble directed by pianist James A. Early

Tickets for events in NEC's Jordan Hall are $10 and may be purchased by
calling the Jordan Hall Box Office at (617) 585-1260.
NEC's Jordan Hall is handicapped accessible.

For more information on NEC Community Collaborations programming,including gospel activities, please visit NEC on the Web at:www.newenglandconservatory.edu/partnerships/community_collaborations.html.
or call NEC Community Collaborations at (617) 585-1136 or GNE Productionsat (781) 308-7962.

Sunday, February 20, 7:30pm
Eliot Church of Roxbury
56 Dale Street (near Washington Park)
Duke Ellington: Selections from Sacred Concerts
Chorus and NEC orchestra
Ken Schaphorst, director
Paul White, Artistic Director

Featured Vocalists
Janice Allen-Brooks
Vivian Collier
Robert Honeysucker
Deborah Johnson-Peters
Bradley Turner
Kokui Selormey-Woodson
Patrice Williamson
Eliot Church Studio Singers

Featured Tap Dancer
Steve Brooks

$12 donation is requested at the door.

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