For the past twelve years the mission of the CSO Gospel Choir and the CSO Spiritual Ensemble has been to support the CSO’s outreach efforts and preserve and honor two forms of music woven into the fiber of American life. From the blues, which gave us the African-American Gospel, to R&B, Rock & Roll and Pop music, the roots of each form is directly connected to the African-American Spiritual. In a small yet profound way, both the Gospel Choir and the Ensemble are an extension of the many-noted African-American artists who brought their Black Church experience to wider audiences. Under the leadership of two talented choral clinicians this season, we embark upon a new and exciting journey with the artistic direction of Dr. Isaiah R. McGee and David A. Richardson. Together we are proud to lead two affiliates closely aligned with the Charleston Symphony. On behalf of the 80-voice CSO Gospel Choir and 35-member CSO Spiritual Ensemble, we look forward to creating this new musical chapter together and look forward to seeing you in the audience!
Lee Pringle Founder and President, CSO Gospel Choir and CSO Spiritual Ensemble
CSO Gospel Choir
CSO Spiritual Ensemble
Dr Isaiah R. McGee, Artistic Director
David A. Richardson, Music Director
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ounded in 1999, the 80+ member Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Gospel Choir is one of Charleston’s most sought-after culturally diverse groups, performing gospel, spirituals and sacred music for local concert events as well as international and regional performances throughout the year.
For more information, visit: www.CSOgospel.com
ow it its fourth season, the 35-member CSO Spiritual Ensemble takes you on a musical journey to honor the spiritual– the historical musical form born of the suffering and endurance of African slaves after arriving to the southern shores of this country in powerful performances celebrating the unique, indigenous harmonies that helped form AfricanAmerican cultural traditions.
Upcoming Performances
For more information, visit: www.CSOspiritual.com
Rejoice! A Spiritual & Gospel Holiday Celebration – 12th Annual Christmas Concert with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and CSO Spiritual Ensemble Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1, 2012, 7:30pm, Sottile Theatre
Upcoming Performances
This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let it Shine Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Saturday, January 19, 2013, 7pm Royal Missionary Baptist Church, North Charleston Free–entry ticket required–donations accepted Annual Palm Sunday Performance The Wind and the Mockingbird: The Story of How the Written Word Changed Society Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013, 5pm, Location TBA
Freedom Rides On: A Tribute to the Freedom Riders Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Monday, January 21, 2013, 5pm Morris Street Baptist Church, Charleston Free and open to the public African-American History Month Performance Circa 1871: An Ode to the Fisk Jubilee Singers Sunday, February 3, 2013, 5pm Sottile Theatre Free and open to the public
Fifth Annual Charleston International Festival of Choirs Dr. Rollo Dilworth, Guest Conductor April 11–14, 2013 Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston Free–donations accepted
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