American Festival Chorus and Orchestra Celebrate Gospel Music in Concert
The American Festival Chorus, directed by Craig Jessop, will perform “Celebrate! An Evening of Gospel Music” at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall located in the Chase Fine Arts Center on Utah State University’s campus Friday, Oct. 7.
“Our choir and community have a truly remarkable opportunity to experience this concert because of Craig Jessop’s deep understanding of the musical tradition being sampled,” said Larry Cannon, chair of the board of directors for AFC. “We anticipate a wonderful and exciting evening.”
Guest conductor and soloist Chantel Renee Wright, director of the Harlem based performing company and preparatory program “Songs of Solomon” will perform. Soloist and Broadway star Sherrie Pratt and USU students Anthony Pratt, Kris King, Shalayna Guisao and Jeunee Roberts will participate in the performance as well.
“Joining the American Festival Chorus has been an amazing experience,” said Roberts. “The smiling faces, professional choral sound and genuine love of music of the choir members have made my transition from New York to Logan an easy one.”
The concert will also include the Salt Lake City Calvary Baptist Church Choir, directed by Miki Hesleph.
“The opportunity to share genres of music with Craig Jessop’s knowledge is fantastic,” said Hesleph. “Our choir loves to meet new people and is excited to be part of this event.”
Jessop is pleased to welcome the evening’s guests.
“Gospel music has a rich tradition that has become part of the heritage of us all,” said Jessop, music director and dean of the Caine College of the Arts. “We are so privileged to trace the history and evolution of gospel music with guest artists of such caliber.”
The American Festival Chorus will perform a number of works, including Deep River, Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho, Praise His Holy Name and Amazing Grace.
“The music for this concert is a little out of our comfort zone, but as we study each new piece we are developing a true love of gospel spirituals,” said Keri Shoemaker, American Festival Chorus member. “AFC members have the opportunity to learn from Chantel Wright and be under the direction of Craig Jessop, which is a pretty amazing experience.”
The American Festival Chorus includes 290 singers who live within a 50-mile radius of Logan. The professional American Festival Orchestra is composed of USU music faculty, outstanding musicians in the community and the northern Utah region and top select senior USU students.
The American Festival Chorus is presented by Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts. More information about the chorus is at its website.
Tickets for the Oct. 7 concert are $12, $16 and $18 for reserved seating. USU students can receive a discounted ticket for $5 in advance. The discount will not be valid at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the CCA Box Office located in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, by calling 435-797-8022 or online.
The American Festival Chorus’ upcoming events include its free Veterans Day Memorial Concert Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. and the Benjamin Britten War Requiem Nov. 12 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main Street, Logan.
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Writer: Rachelle Nielson, 435-797-9203, rachelle.nielson@usu.edu
Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu
The 290-member American Festival Chorus is led by music director Craig Jessop. The community-based choir is sponsored by USU's Department of Music and the Caine College of the Arts.
Chantel Renee Wright, director of the "Songs of Solomon," is a special guest for the Oct. 7 concert.
USU students from New York are also special guests for the concert. From left to right: Jeunee Roberts, Shalayna Guisao, Anthony Pratt and Kris King.
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