The American Spiritual Ensemble will perform one night only at the Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State. Come see some of the finest, classically trained singers in the United States on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Founded by Dr. Everett McCorvey in 1995, the American Spiritual Ensemble\u2019s mission is to keep the soulful, American Negro Spiritual alive. The repertoire of the American Spiritual Ensemble ranges from opera to classic spirituals, jazz and Broadway numbers. The members of the American Spiritual Ensemble are soloists in their own right and have thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic renditions of numbers highlighting the Black experience.<\/p>\n
McCorvey, ASE conductor, is a native of Montgomery, Ala. He received his degrees from the University of Alabama, including a Doctorate of Musical Arts. As a tenor soloist, McCorvey has performed in many esteemed theatres and opera houses across the globe.<\/p>\n
Bologna Center Director Laura Howell said, \u201cWhen I first saw videos of the ASE last year, I knew that this group would be a perfect fit for the Bologna Center. There is true artistry in their music. ASE\u2019s members are Tony Award nominees and opera performers from the Metropolitan Opera\u2014they are the real deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important for us to know that Spirituals are not just Negro, they are American music,\u201d McCorvey says.<\/p>\n
Negro Spirituals gave birth to all American music from jazz, gospel, blues and even American musical theater. The ASE\u2019s concert in Cleveland will feature music from Gershwin\u2019s Porgy and Bess and Elton John\u2019s Circle of Life (from The Lion King).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that the Ensemble maintains and celebrates that music by not mixing it with other forms, like gospel. There\u2019s certainly a place for it, but there\u2019s a difference. And it\u2019s that difference that we want to preserve,\u201d adds McCorvey.<\/p>\n