Juneteenth
with the Minnesota OrchestraFri Jun 14, 2024
Orchestra Hall
In celebration and remembrance in honor of Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, the Minnesota Orchestra, alongside guests and members of the Twin Cities community, will perform a program featuring music by African American composers.
A Few Things to Know
- Juneteenth commemorates when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were the last to be freed in the former Confederacy when Union troops arrived there 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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STILL
Festive Overture
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THOMAS
Of Our New Day Begun
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HART
Made in America
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BONDS
Benediction, from Montgomery Variations
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SIMON
Amen
Minnesota Orchestra
Jonathan Taylor Rush
conductor
Wordsmith
soloist
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. This past fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his tenure as music director.
Hailed as a continually rising talent in the conducting world by the Baltimore Sun, Jonathan Taylor Rush brings passion, unique interpretation, and a refreshing energy to the orchestral experience. In the fall of 2020, Rush was appointed as the assistant conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In the fall of 2022, he was promoted to associate conductor. Previously, Rush served as music director of the Buckeye Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as conducting fellow for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras.
Wordsmith is a songwriter, poet, recording artist, actor, playwright, entrepreneur and philanthropist from Baltimore, Maryland. He earned a full athletic scholarship to play football at Morgan State University studying radio, TV and performance. A transfer to Salisbury University two years later earned Wordsmith a bachelor’s degree in performing arts (music and theater arts) in 2002.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
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