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RELAXED FAMILY CONCERT

Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom (RFC)

Sat Jun 24, 2023

Orchestra Hall

~1 hr

The Minnesota Orchestra presents a program in honor of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of the last African Americans still enslaved in Texas. 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. Justice Alan C. Page will perform the narrator role in Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait.

Our Relaxed Family Concerts are designed for audiences of all ages, including individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities. Each concert takes place in an inclusive environment where audience members are welcome to be who they are and enjoy music together with family and friends.

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

  1. Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom will feature a variety of music—some soft and some loud—because we know that different audience members like different levels of sound. Review our Lobby Map to read about quiet spaces, noise-canceling headphones and other options which are available for tailoring the concert experience to fit your family s preferences.
  2. Come early to participate in lobby activities, including opportunities to try instruments, engage in creative movement, make art, learn more about the program and meet Minnesota Orchestra musicians.
  3. Prepare for the concert experience with our playlist, lobby map, pre-visit story.
  4. 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.

Explore the concert extras

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  • HAILSTORK

    Everytime I Feel the Spirit, from Three Spirituals

  • COPLAND

    Lincoln Portrait

  • JOHNSON

    Drums—A Symphonic Poem

  • STILL

    Selections from Symphony No. 1, Afro-American

Artists

Minnesota Orchestra

G. Phillip Shoultz, III

host

Terryann Nash

American Sign Language interpreter

Plan your visit

  • Pre-concert activities
  • Valet Parking
  • Pre-order Beverages
  • Directions & Parking
  • Helpful Tips

 

Listen Ahead

Accessibility Services

  • ASL Interpretation
  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Braille & Large Print Programs
  • Open Captioning
  • Service Animals
  • Wheelchair & Accessible Seating

Additional services are available upon request.

The Family Concert series is made possible by

PNC
MSAB
Co-sponsored by Eric and Celita Levinson