Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s trailblazing activism and way with words has rippled throughout the world and influenced every aspect of our culture. Inspired by the philosophy of Dr. King, multi-genre recording artist Damien Sneed has created a musical road map through the development of African American music in “We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”, coming to BCS on Feb. 7, 2020.
Part of MSC OPAS’s 47th season, “We Shall Overcome” is a joyous celebration of music by African Americans that ranges across musical traditions. The production showcases a mix of traditional gospel, modern gospel, classical, jazz, and Broadway from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, along with traditional spirituals and music from “The Wiz.”
Sneed’s standout knowledge of each genre allows audiences to experience many different musical art forms in just one performance without a feeling of disjointedness. By combining the music with King’s voice reading from his speeches, Sneed achieves an inspiring and moving portrayal of the African American experience.
Sneed got his start as a music director and conductor working with choirs from his local church in Augusta, GA. Thus it’s only fitting that accompanying his ensemble of talented multi-genre vocalists and instrumentalists will be two local chorus groups, TAMU’s Voices of Praise and the Prairie View A&M University Choir. Sneed finds it significant that he is joined by community choral groups, as it is representative of the construct of community that Dr. King stood for.
Join MSC OPAS on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Rudder Auditorium at Texas A&M. Tickets are $10 for all area students, $20 for adults, and are on sale now at the MSC Box Office and online. Parking is available in University Center Garage and Cain Garage but is not included with your ticket.
For more information, visit www.MSCOPAS.org or call (979)-845-1234.
