A Spiritual Journey: Singing the Black Experience of America
Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM
Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
FREE public event (with free and ample parking!)
Why we are excited to present this performance to the public:
Founded in 1972, Hartford Chorale is a volunteer not-for-profit organization that presents, on a symphonic scale, masterpieces of great choral art throughout southern New England and beyond, serving as the primary symphonic chorus for the Greater Hartford community.
In addition to our scheduled public performances, the Chorale holds an annual series of enrichment programs for our members, with at least one being a community event which is open to the public. As the city of Hartford’s Chorale, we are committed to providing artistic opportunities for members of our community who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience artists of this caliber in a live performance setting.
In February of 2024, our program titled “African American Spirituals: A National Treasure” was held at The Artists Collective on Albany Avenue in Hartford. Over 125 guests enjoyed featured speakers and soloists who led an engaging presentation with affecting performances.
This February’s offering builds upon the work we did in 2024, once again offering opportunities for us to share our love for music with the people of our namesake city.
On Monday, February 3, 2025, Hartford Chorale will host Grammy-Winning Baritone Kenneth Overton at Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford to present a program about the evolution of African American music in America. Mr. Overton will engage the audience in conversation about how the Negro Spiritual inspired the music that came after it–church music, art song, and Broadway. Interspersed throughout the evening, he will perform works and share the impact made by past and present African American composers such as Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Adolphus Hailstork, William Grant Still, Dave Ragland, Timothy Amukele and Brandon Waddles, and give the audience an opportunity to ask him questions about the content to further their understanding.
“A Spiritual Journey: Singing the Black Experience of America” celebrates resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit that continues to inspire generations. This journey follows the evolution from the Negro Spiritual to today’s Broadway, emphasizing that through music, the Black experience is embraced and honored, weaving a tapestry of hope, struggle, and triumph.
Mr. Overton is an internationally acclaimed baritone who has performed leading and supporting roles in major opera companies and with symphonies around the world. A passionate educator, he has offered masterclasses in vocal performance and on various topics of African American music at several universities and high schools. A Philadelphia native, Mr. Overton was educated at both Hartt and UConn, and spent significant time performing with Connecticut Opera, which he credits as the place where he honed his craft.
