Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom 2023
Fri Jun 23, 2023
Orchestra Hall
The Minnesota Orchestra presents a program in honor of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of the last African Americans still enslaved in Texas in 1865. With conductor André Raphel at the podium, the concert includes Adolphus Hailstork’s jubilant Three Spirituals and William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony, one of the most celebrated American symphonies ever written. Singer Jevetta Steele, performance poet Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Justice Alan C. Page all lend their voices to this evening of celebration and remembrance.
Whether it’s your first time or you consider Orchestra Hall your second home, we encourage you to plan ahead and leave ample time for your arrival as there are many activities happening in Minneapolis this weekend. For your convenience, we encourage parking in the 11th & Marquette Municipal Ramp. Ushers and security staff will be available at all entrances to greet and assist you. More parking and transportation information.
A Few Things to Know
- Making his Minnesota Orchestra debut, conductor André Raphel served as music director of West Virginia’s Wheeling Symphony Orchestra from 2003 to 2018. He now serves as the ensemble’s conductor laureate.
- William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony epitomizes the expansive creativity of the Harlem Renaissance, combining orchestral stylings with elements of the blues. The lack of work he experienced due to the Great Depression led him to compose his most well-known work: “In 1930 I rented a room in a quiet building not far from my home in New York and began to work,” he said.
- Alongside a full orchestra, Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait includes a narrator who delivers excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s letters and speeches. This performance will be narrated by Justice Alan C. Page, the former Minnesota Viking and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the first African American judge to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
- Juneteenth commemorates when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were the last to be freed in the former Confederacy on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln. Though it’s often referred to as “America’s Second Independence Day,” Juneteenth wasn’t recognized as a federal holiday until June 2021. It became an official state holiday in Minnesota in February 2023.
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HAILSTORK
Three Spirituals
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BARBARELLA
Medleys of selections from Jevetta Steele, arranged by Tommy Barbarella
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COPLAND
Lincoln Portrait
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JOHNSON
Drums—A Symphonic Poem
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WARNER
Spoken Word
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STILL
Symphony No. 1, Afro-American
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
actor and poet
Jevetta Steele
vocals
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård begins his second season as music director.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has become known in the entertainment business for his seasoned acting talents and his accomplishments in music, directing and producing. As an Emmy-nominated actor and Grammy award winning poet, Warner has positioned himself as one of the most accomplished talents in the industry today. As a staple in television and film for over 30 years, Warner first rose to national prominence by starring on the celebrated and long-running classic television series The Cosby Show. His work on the show garnered him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and set the stage for him to have a long career in the public eye.
Jevetta Steele is a member of the internationally acclaimed musical family The Steeles. She is most noted for her Academy Award-nominated performance of Calling You from the motion picture Bagdad Café, which was certified Gold in several European countries. Steele is an original cast member of the Broadway, national and international touring hit The Gospel at Colonus, a recipient of four Gold records and an author of two plays, the autobiographical musical Two Queens, One Castle and Point of Review; she served as a contributor for the latter play with Don Cheadle.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Known, MPLS Choir Performance
When: Friday, June 23 | 7:15 pm -7:45pm
Where: Target Atrium
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Pre-order beverages
Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the MN Orch App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
When: Fri June 23 | 6:30-7:45pm
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsored By
Co-sponsored by Eric and Celita Levinson
