Symphony in Black, Program

Symphony in Black celebrates the University’s 25th anniversary. It also pays tribute to both past and recent African American composers with a special tribute to Jacksonville composers James Weldon and John Rosamond Johnson. Featured guests include Reverend Rudolph Waldo McKissick, Sr. -- Pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church and Reverend Davette L. Turk – Associate Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church. Conductor: Dr. Lenard Bowie, Choirmaster: Dr. William Brown, Piano: Dr. Gerson Yessin. The Orchestra included musicians from the Jacksonville Symphony, UNF students, UNF faculty, UNF adjuncts, and the Jacksonville community. Music included: Program I. Lift Every Voice and Sing –words by James Weldon Johnson, music by John Rosamond Johnson, arranged by Roland Cater and transcribed for Orchestra nu Lenard Bowies, Afro-American Symphony –First Movement - Moderato -- William Grant Still, Danse Negre – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Program II. Three Preludes -- Bunky Green -- Dr. Gerson Yessin, Piano, UNF Anniversary Song -- Bunky Green – Composed especially for the 25th Anniversary for Chorus, Jazz Ensemble and Piano. Program III. God’s Trombone – Sermons by James Weldon Johnson, Music by Roy Ringwald featuring in the order of appearance: Rev. Davette Turk as the Prayer Leader and Rev. Rudolph McKissick, Sr., as the Preacher.

Symphony in Black, Program. 1997. UNF History. University of North Florida, Thomas G. Carpenter Library Special Collections and Archives. UNF Digital Commons, https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/anniversary25_materials/16/