Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season BSO_Overture_MAR_APR | Page 31

PORGY AND BESS
2006, MSUC traveled to Prague for two
concerts with Maestro Paul Freeman
and the Czech National Symphony
Orchestra. In 2008, MSUC performed at
Carnegie Hall on two separate occasions;
under the baton of Bobby McFerrin with
the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and with
Marin Alsop and the BSO. Since 2008,
the choir has performed all over the
world, including in Russia, South Africa,
Colombia, China, Brazil, Jamaica, Qatar,
Australia and Argentina.
MSUC gave the world-premiere
performance of Hannibal Lokumbe’s
One Land, One River, One People with
the Philadelphia Orchestra. In February
2017, the choir performed All Rise
with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orchestra. In 2016,
the choir toured Cuba, where they had
concerts in Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and
Havana. In 2017, the choir toured Spain
and Portugal.
More recently, MSUC sang for the
homegoing service of Dick Gregory in
Washington, D.C., which was aired
live on TV One around the country.
In December, the choir performed the
Sacred Concerts of Duke Ellington with
the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra at the
Nation Museum of Natural History.
MSUC has shared its musical gifts
on many grand stages all over the
world— with numerous dignitaries
and celebrated performers — making
them cultural ambassadors for
Morgan State University, the City
of Baltimore, the state of Maryland
and the United States.
MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 8 pm
JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL
Friday, April 12, 2019, 8 pm
Saturday, April 13, 2019, 8 pm
Sunday, April 14, 2019, 3 pm
Marin Alsop, conductor
Directed by Hana S. Sharif
Morgan State University Choir, Eric Conway, director
CAST
Bess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laquita Mitchell, soprano
Porgy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rodney Earl Clarke, bass-baritone
Crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lester Lynch, baritone
Sportin’ Life . . . . . . . . . . Larry Hylton, tenor
Serena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reyna Carguill, soprano
Clara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jasmine Habersham, soprano
George Gershwin
Porgy and Bess

Act I

INTERMISSION

Act II

Act III

The concert will end approximately at 10 pm on Thursday, Friday
and Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday.
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
SUPPORTING SPONSOR:
About the Artists
Marin Alsop
For Marin Alsop’s bio, please see pg. 7.
Morgan State University Choir
The Morgan State University Choir
(MSUC) has performed around the world
to critical acclaim. While classical, gospel
and contemporary popular music comprise
the choir’s repertoire, the choir is noted
for its emphasis on preserving the heritage
of the spiritual, especially in the historic
practices of performances.
Named “Best College Choir” in 2004
by Reader’s Digest, MSUC has performed
with several major symphony orchestras,
including the Philadelphia Orchestra,
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New
York Philharmonic and the National
Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Eric Conway is
the Director of MSUC and chairperson
of the Fine Arts Department. During his
tenure, Conway has led the choir to many
acclaimed performances, including a
special performance at the service honoring
Rosa Parks, the first woman to lie in honor
at our nation’s Capital Rotunda. In July

Morgan State University Choir last appeared
with the BSO in December 2018, performing
in Gospel Christmas with CeCe Winans,
Eric Conway, conductor.
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