Friday, Apr 19, 2013
Performing Music of Redemption: Chariot's Jubilee, I Got a Home in a Dat Rock, Ride on King Jesus, and more.
Westminster Jubilee Singers will present a concert entitled 'And He Has Blessed My Soul' with Taione K. Martinez, conductor, on Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Bristol Chapel on the campus of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J.
The concert will feature music of with a redemption theme, including Chariot's Jubilee by R. Nathaniel Dett, I Got a Home in a Dat Rock by Moses Hogan, The Presence of the Lord is Here by Kurt Carr and Ride on King Jesus, arranged by Edward Boatner.
The Westminster Jubilee Singers is a very intimate ensemble composed of students who are selected by audition. It is modeled after the historically acclaimed Fisk Jubilee Singers, and its repertoire, while specialized and select, is very diverse and focuses on solo and ensemble artistic expressions from its singers. Part of the college’s sacred music department, the ensemble performs literature that includes African-American spirituals and folk songs; classical music by African-American composers; African chants and dances; gospel music and secular songs.
Westminster Choir College Sacred Music faculty member, Taione K. Martinez is an active music educator, conductor and organist, specializing in works in the African American tradition. Additionally, he is director of music/organist at Queen of All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Ensembles under his leadership have won numerous regional and national competitions, and they have performed in some of the country’s most notable concert and historical venues. In 2005 Mr. Martinez created the Heritage Singers, a 15-voice high school vocal ensemble specializing in the spiritual. He also formed a second Heritage Singers ensemble to serve the entire Rochester, N.Y. community. As an organist, Mr. Martinez has presented the organ works of African American composers in such venues as the Princeton University Chapel, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Interchurch Center. Mr. Martinez earned his bachelor’s degree at Hampton University as a student of Dr. Carl Harris and Prof. Royzell Dillard. He continued his music studies at the Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School.
Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, call (609) 921-2663 or order online at www.rider.edu/arts. Westminster Choir College is located at 101 Walnut Lane in Princeton.