Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7
Special Event Announcement:
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About the Event:
The opening of the 2023/24 CSO MusicNOW season illuminates works by a dynamic collective of Black composers, the Blacknificent 7. Highlights include a world premiere of a new work by Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter’s Annunciation — featuring Chicago favorite Russell Thomas, “a voice that marries Wagnerian stamina and Italianate beauty” (Wall Street Journal) — and Dave Ragland’s Eight Tones for Elijah, a loving tribute to young violinist Elijah McClain, who was killed by the police on his walk home. Nimble and accomplished improvisers, CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery and Carlos Simon perform of-the-moment interludes, woven between each piece on the program.
Curated by Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery.
Discover more about “The Modern Artist Collective” featuring members of the Blacknificent 7 in a preconcert panel. LaRob K. Rafael, artistic director of Hearing in Color and WFMT host and producer, hosts a discussion with members of the Blacknificent 7.
Presented by Chicago Humanities in collaboration with the CSOA.
Carlos Simon
Carlos Simon is a composer, curator and activist. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, his compositions range from conce...
Jessie Montgomery
Jessie Montgomery is an acclaimed composer, violinist, and educator. She is the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Aw...
Dave Ragland
Dave Ragland is a four-time EMMY nominated composer, vocalist, pianist, and conductor. Hailed as “über-talented” by T...
Joel Thompson
Joel Thompson is an Atlanta-based composer, conductor, pianist, and educator, best known for the choral work, Seve...
LaRob K. Rafael
A native of Temple Hills, Maryland, LaRob K. Rafael developed a love for singing at an early age. He found a spirit i...
Shawn E. Okpebholo
Shawn E. Okpebholo is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning composer whose music has been described as “devastatin...
Event Details
THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF:
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[Event tile image description: The event image at the top left of the event page is a photograph of nine musicians performing on a large stage. Photo Credit: Chicago Symphony Orchestra.]