Overture Magazine 2019-20 BSO_Overture_Nov_Dec | Page 33

GOSPEL CHRISTMAS 5 million albums in the U.S. and topped the Gospel charts repeatedly, while also crossing over to the Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts with hits like “Count On Me,” her stunning duet with Whitney Houston from the multi- platinum Waiting To Exhale soundtrack, which sold 2 million copies. JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL Thursday, December 19, 2019, 8 pm Friday, December 20, 2019, 8 pm Charles Floyd, conductor CeCe Winans, vocalist Morgan State University Choir CeCe Winans last appeared with the BSO in December 2018, performing in Gospel Program to be announced from the stage. Christmas, Eric Conway, conductor. The intermission will last 20 minutes. The performance will end at approximately 10 pm. Morgan State University Choir PRESENTING SPONSOR: SUPPORTING SPONSOR: OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE BSO: About the Artists Charles Floyd Conductor, pianist and composer Charles Floyd began studying piano at age four; gave his first solo recital at age nine; and by age twenty had been heard in solo recital, chamber music and concerto performances throughout the U.S. and Spain. As a conductor, Floyd has been heard in concert with more than 500 orchestras since 1991, during which time his work at the podium caught the special attention of conductors James DePreist and Seiji Ozawa. His appearances include standard classical literature from the Baroque era through the 20 th century, as well as alternative orchestral repertoire ranging from film scores to a diversity of world music styles. Floyd is an annual guest conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Since 1994 his performances have included Gospel Night at Pops at Boston’s Symphony Hall, which features orchestral classics as well as a 120-voice gospel chorus. Floyd’s 11-year partnership with singer Natalie Cole included projects such as the multiple Grammy Award-winning tribute album to Nat King Cole entitled Unforgettable…with Love and the Emmy Award-winning PBS Great Performances concert video of the same title, as well as the Grammy-winning releases Take A Look and Stardust. Charles Floyd last appeared with the BSO in May 2004, conducting k. d. lang in Concert. CeCe Winans The best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, CeCe Winans has cemented her status as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in modern music history. Recording and performing as both a solo artist and as a duo with her brother BeBe, CeCe has influenced a generation of gospel and secular vocalists over the course of her astonishing career. She’s been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Nashville Music City Walk of Fame, as well as being named a Trailblazer of Soul by BMI and garnering multiple NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards and Essence Awards. She’s sold more than The Morgan State University Choir (MSUC) has performed around the world to critical acclaim. 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. 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 2015, the choir performed for President Barack Obama during his Live at the White House series. During the past three years, the choir has travelled to the Middle East, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Spain and Portugal. MSUC has performed on many stages all over the world, making them cultural ambassadors for Morgan State University, the City of Baltimore, the state of Maryland and the U.S. The MSUC last appeared with the BSO in April 2019, performing in Porgy and Bess, Marin Alsop, conductor. N OV– D EC 201 9 / OV E R T U R E 31