​Season 12 – Another Great Season!

Our season began with the “Serenade of Carols,” which featured several selections with harp. The centerpiece was Stephen Paulus’ Three Nativity Carols. Other numbers performed with harp included William Ferris’ arrangement of A la Nanita Nana and the traditional French carol Sing We Now of Christmas, arranged by Fred Bennett and Carol Barnett. Morton Gould’s Serenade of Carols closed the program.

MTS finished its 12th season with a flourish of music of 15 composers noted for their film scores. In addition to selections from some of Hollywood’s most memorable movies, the audience was introduced to the “other side” of some of film music’s most important names. 

As always, MTS featured several premieres, as well as  performances by guest artists. These premieres included Le Chœur des Cœurs, by French composer Germaine Tailleferre; Lullaby by Miklos Rozsa from the film Jungle Book; and Bruce Broughton’s Bellevue Carol, from the film Miracle on 34th Street. Soprano, Alfreda Burke, joined the ensemble to reprise her performance of Alex North’s Negro Mother, and closed the evening’s concert with her spirited take of Jester Hairston’s Amen, from the film Lillies of the Field.

And last, but not least,  MTS once again was invited to participate in the 17th annual Thomas A. Dorsey Commemoration at Pilgrim Baptist Church. Pilgrim was the birthplace of gospel music, as we know it today. Dorsey, who was music director at Pilgrim Baptist Church for more than forty years, authored the hymn, Precious Lord, Take My Hand (the favorite hymn of Dr. Martin Luther King). He is considered the “father of Gospel Music.” MTS will reprise some of the music from their recent spring concert. Alfreda Burke will also join MTS for this event, which is free and open to the public.

Watch for our plans for our exciting 13th season!

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