DPO Stained Glass Series wraps season with two church concerts

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra s inspirational, community-based Stained Glass Series concludes its 2016-2017 season June 11 at Inspiration Church and June 25 at Tabernacle Baptist Church. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra s inspirational, community-based Stained Glass Series concludes its 2016-2017 season June 11 at Inspiration Church and June 25 at Tabernacle Baptist Church. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s uplifting, spirit-filled and community-based Stained Glass Series concludes its 2016-17 season with two upcoming concerts.

Under the leadership of DPO Artistic Director and Conductor Neal Gittleman, the concerts will be held Sunday, June 11, at Inspiration Church and Sunday, June 25 at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Both events will follow the blueprint of the last Stained Glass Series concert held three months ago at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Audiences will be treated to Beethoven’s lively “Symphony No. 8,” commonly regarded as “the little Symphony in F,” Scott Joplin’s “Solace,” featured on the soundtrack from the 1973 Academy Award-winning film “The Sting,” and Zimbabwean Dumisani Maraire’s “Mai Nozipo.”

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In particular, “Mai Nozipo,” featured on the Kronos Quartet’s “Pieces of Africa,” was praised by AllMusic as a “rousing, triumphant anthem with a resonant melodic line that will long linger.”

In addition, the June 11 concert will close with Kirk Franklin’s celebratory “Hosanna” featuring the Inspiration Church Choir. The June 25 concert will close with Marshall Carpenter’s hymn “He Reigns Forever” featuring the Tabernacle Baptist Church Choir.

“The idea behind the Stained Glass Series has always been to focus on traditional classical repertoire and also to include music by African and African-American composers,” Gittleman said in a prior interview. “This has both an educational goal (in terms of) helping people learn more about our art form and an artistic goal (in terms of) creating varied concert programs that show links across cultures and musical styles. So, putting a Beethoven symphony alongside a piece by Dumisani Maraire makes perfect sense.”

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The series is a part of community outreach efforts called the Norma Ross Memorial Community Concerts in honor of the late Mrs. Norma Ross, a tireless arts and diversity advocate.

“Today our society is more diverse than ever,” noted Norma’s daughter Jenell R. Ross, President of Bob Ross Buick-GMC. “I believe it is important this reality be reflected in arts programming. The Stained Glass Series allows the Dayton Philharmonic to join with local African-American church choirs in a manner that celebrates the best each has to offer.”


WANT TO GO?

What: DPO Stained Glass Series at Inspiration Church

Where: 2900 Philadelphia Dr., Dayton

When: June 11; 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

More info: Call Dayton Performing Arts Alliance at (937) 224-3521 or Inspiration Church at (937) 496-5607

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What: DPO Stained Glass Series at Tabernacle Baptist Church

Where: 380 South Broadway Street, Dayton

When: June 25; 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

More info: Call Dayton Performing Arts Alliance at (937) 224-3521 or Tabernacle Baptist Church at (937) 228-6393.

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