The American Spiritual Ensemble

By Mickey Love

Special to Dorchester Banner

Dorchester Center for the Arts (DCA) announces a prestigious concert event. The American Spiritual Ensemble will perform at DCA on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. The group, which has performed all over the world, will present in the 2nd floor George B. Todd Performance Hall. The event is sponsored by MTS Broadcasting and the Maryland State Arts Council.

The American Spiritual Ensemble (ASE) is a critically-acclaimed professional group composed of some of the finest singers in classical music. The group has delighted listeners with its dynamic renditions of spirituals, opera and Broadway music.

ASE was founded by Everett McCorvey in 1995. Its vocalists have sung in theaters and opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera; and abroad in Italy, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Spain and Japan. The members of the American Spiritual Ensemble are soloists in their own right and have thrilled audiences internationally.

In an article from The Daily Times of Maryville, Tenn., Founder Everett McCorvey stated, “Spirituals were simple melodies for painful times — music developed out of field hollers, songs of praise, pleas for salvation and lamentations of agony, all sung by African Americans during slavery. This music has great meaning, not only throughout the African-American community but throughout the American community. Really, it’s America’s first native music after the country was formed and the immigrants came over. I call it the ‘mother music,’ because it started the tradition, and it went from spirituals to blues to jazz to gospel to popular music. They’re the songs of the cotton fields — songs of anguish and pain and hope, and it helped form our American society.”

DCA is honored to present the music genre in Dorchester County.

“It seems fitting to celebrate these spirituals here in the birthplace of Harriet Tubman,” stated Mickey Love, DCA executive director. “In addition to the spirituals, there will be opera and Broadway music – something for everyone – all performed by some of the most talented and gifted vocalists from around the country.”

Tickets are on sale now and advance tickets are: $20 for DCA Members; $25 for non-members; and students are $10. Tickets at the door will be $30 for members and non-members and $15 for students. Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchases are encouraged.

Businesses and individuals can show their support for the event through patron opportunities. All patrons will be listed in the concert program. In addition, those contributing $500 or more will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the concert. Those donating $1,000 or more will receive the 2 complimentary tickets, plus be included as guests at the post-concert dinner with the performers. Sponsorship levels are:

• Friend - $25 - 99

• Patron - $100- 249

• Accompanist - $250-499

• Musician - $500 - 999

• Soloist - $1,000 - 1,999

• Arranger - $2,000 - $2,999

• Music Director - $3,000 and up

For more information; to become a sponsor, or to charge tickets by phone call 410-228-7782.

Seats remain for Ashley

Watkins Concert this Saturday

Ashley Watkins, flutist, will return to DCA for a performance this Saturday at 7 p.m.

A Cambridge native and master flutist, Ashley will present an evening of new classics. She earned her Bachelor of Music in 2008 from James Madison University, and received her Master of Music in 2010 from the University of Akron in Ohio. She performs as a classical soloist throughout the Eastern Shore.

Tickets are $10 for DCA members; $12 for non-members. For more information, or to purchase tickets by telephone with a credit card, call 410-228-7782.

Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Mickey Love, executive director.