Release Date: February 9, 2008
Contact:
713-333-2236

Classic Spirituals: Spirituals as Classics
Houston Ebony Opera Guild’s Concert Preview and Roundtable Discussion

Classic Spirituals: Spirituals as Classics is the exciting title of the Annual Robert A. Henry Lecture & Gala Concert Preview to be presented at 4 p.m., on Saturday, February 23, 2008. In lieu of a single speaker, this year's program will feature a lively and informative roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Vicki A. Seldon, a well known musicologist and professor of piano at Prairie View A& M University. Joining Dr. Seldon will be two other distinguished musicians and music educators: Houston-based composer Lela Anderson and A. Jan Taylor, Choral Conductor-in -Residence for the Houston Ebony Opera Guild Chorus in 2008. Seldon, Anderson and Taylor are all nationally recognized for their respective contributions to the preservation of the African American Spiritual through performance, education, and audience development initiatives.

As usual, the Robert A. Henry Lecture will provide its audience with a preview of the Annual African American Music Gala, a concert of works by Black composers that will be held on the second Sunday in March. Concert information and tickets (at the "early bird" price) will be available at the February 23 program.