Spring Concert Preview

Last December’s Holiday performance was a spectacular way to launch our 2023/2024 season!

We received many positive comments saying that the variety of selections helped to make the
concert. There were the traditional carols and arrangements that brought back memories, such
as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Caroling, Caroling,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Other highlights, included “African Noel,” the premier of “In Dulci Jubilo,” by Dutch composer
Willem Stoppelenburg, “A Musicological Journey Through the 12 Days of Christmas, and the
“Theme from the King of Kings,” by Miklos Rosza. The real show-stopper and one reprised by
the chorus, was the Baby-Boomer favorite from the old WGN Television Garfield Goose and
Friends Show, “Hardrock, Coco, and Joe.” The whole event was a very special experience.

GRANDES DAMES OF THE CHICAGO BLACK RENAISSANCE
MTS is in the throes of preparing one of its most ambitious and historic programs in its 17-year
history.

It is the custom of the organization to feature the works of select composers at its spring
concert. This season, the ensemble will perform the choral works of six Black women
composers who were born in Chicago and/or developed their crafts in the Windy City. Florence
Price, Margaret Bonds, Lena McLin, Regina Harris Baiocchi, Betty Jackson King, and Irene Britton
Smith are being represented.

At first, I planned to do the music of several Black women from across the country; I researched
works of familiar names and looked for others. As I began my research, I discovered several
choral works by Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, both Chicago composers. We performed
works by both of these women over the years. Of particular note was the “Ballad of the Brown
King,” by Margaret Bonds, which we presented at our Holiday concert in December, 2012. At
that point, I thought of presenting a concert of the choral works of only Bonds and Price. As I
continued researching, however, I was coming across other Black women composers from
Chicago, some whose music I knew and performed. It was around that time that I realized I
could assemble a program that would celebrate Black women from Chicago, alone. Along with
my own resources, the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College has been
tremendous help in putting together some of the final pieces of our programming puzzle.

​The centerpiece for this concert will be Margaret Bonds’ “Credo,” set to a text by W. E. B. Du
Bois. She fully orchestrated the work; however, we will be performing with the piano reduction.
I came across several short choral works by Florence Price, which will make up a lovely choral
bouquet. Much different than the other selections will be a set of two pieces set in African
dialects by local composer, Regina Harris Baiocchi. The late Lena McLin will be represented by
three of her works, including her “Te Deum Laudamus.” The balance of the program will include
settings of “Psalm 46” by Irene Britton Smith and “Psalm 57” by Betty Jackson King.

This concert is developing into a special, unique, and singular historical event. The music is
appealing, accessible, and well-crafted. At this performance, we will introduce or reintroduce
some important voices to the world of choral music and to a new and wider audience.