SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
7:30 PM

MÉLISSE BRUNET, Music Director

PROGRAM:
MARY D. WATKINS - Soul of Remembrance ^
SHAWN E. OKPEBHOLO - Two Black Churches for orchestra *#
Will Liverman, baritone
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS - Symphony No. 3, “Organ Symphony”

^ Kentucky Premiere
# World Premiere

LexPhil’s powerful season finale opens with Soul of Remembrance, the second movement of composer and pianist Mary D. Watkins’ Five Movements in Color for full orchestra. Watkins describes Soul of Remembrance as “the collective moan of a profound grief felt by the newly-arrived Africans, who found themselves in a strange land, dealing with the loss of the only life they had known and leaving behind the comforts of family and friends.”

A highlight of the season, LexPhil will present the world premiere of Composer-in-Residence Shawn E. Okpebholo’s Two Black Churches, a LexPhil co-commissioned arrangement for full orchestra featuring acclaimed baritone Will Liverman. This poignant work, originally scored for piano and baritone and commissioned by Will Liverman, reflects on the racist attacks on the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, and the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015. The season concludes with Saint-Saëns triumphant Symphony No. 3, known as the “Organ Symphony,” featuring the resonant power of Singletary Center’s pipe organ.

PRESENTED BY
Special thanks to the Saykaly Garbulinska Composer-in-Residence Fund and VisitLEX
for their support of Two Black Churches: Okpebholo World Premiere.

Inside the Score

FREE PRE-CONCERT TALK BEGINS AT 6:30PM

Join us prior to Two Black Churches: Okpebholo World Premiere for a free pre-concert lecture with Music Director Mélisse Brunet, Composer-in-Residence Shawn E. Okpebholo, and guest artist Will Liverman for an exclusive, in-depth look Inside the Score! The talk begins at 6:30PM in the Presidents Room prior to the concert. Seating is limited, so arrive early!

Inside the Score is presented by the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation.

WATCH NOW

Prior to joining us for Two Black Churches: Okpebholo World Premiere watch the original performance of Two Black Churches for voice and piano by baritone Will Liverman and pianist Paul Sanchez.

LISTEN NOW

Additionally, preview the full program of music by listening to the official concert playlist on Spotify.

Learn more and register here

MEET, PLAY, & LEARN

FRIDAY, MAY 17
6PM - 7PM
PRESIDENT’S ROOM
SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

In advance of Two Black Churches, we're offering a special opportunity for students of all ages to Meet, Play, & Learn with LexPhil guest artist Will Liverman! Join us at 6PM in the Singletary Center for the Arts President’s Room for an hour of collaborative music-making activities and Q&A. Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments! If you don’t have an instrument or are unable to bring one, LexPhil will have some available.

Meet, Play, & Learn is free and registration is required in advance or at the door. Free parking is available in designated E Lots and paid parking is available at Gatton Student Center lot.

Learn more about Meet, Play, & Learn and register at lexphil.org/meetplaylearn

SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS405 Rose StLexington, KY 40508Click here to learn more about the Singletary Center for the Arts.

ADULTS: $28 - $78*YOUTH (17 & UNDER) and STUDENTS WITH VALID ID: $11

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 20247:30 PM