PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Orchestra will host its 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert Monday at Girard College Chapel.
“This is the time we take each year just to honor and pay respect to Dr. King and the great sacrifice he made so that we can live more freely and in a more unified manner,” said Philadelphia Orchestra’s Danielle Allen.
She says the concert, which gets underway at 3 p.m., is a time-honored tradition that exemplifies the orchestra’s commitment to making music accessible to everyone.
The performance will feature works from Black composers, including John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson’s anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise” — both of which will feature choirs from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and Girard College High School.
There will also be selections from a recently restored version of William Grant Still’s “Wood Notes.”
Allen says the concert reflects progress made and a path forward.
"Although we still have a ways to go until classical music and our orchestra truly reflects our community, we understand the commitment that we have to our city and we are an orchestra by and for Philadelphia."
The concert is free, but registration is required.