Juneteenth
with the Minnesota OrchestraFri Jun 14, 2024
Orchestra Hall
The Minnesota Orchestra presents its second annual concert in celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth. Jonathan Taylor Rush will lead a program featuring both upbeat and contemplative music from 20th-century and contemporary African American composers. Jimmie Herrod, Wordsmith and Ashley DuBose will also take the stage, combining their powerful voices with the symphonic strength of the Orchestra.
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.
- A couple of the guest artists for Juneteenth will be familiar faces: Jonathan Taylor Rush led the world premiere of Carlos Simon and Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s brea(d)th last May; and St. Paul native Ashley DuBose has performed several times at Orchestra Hall alongside Dessa.
- Poet and playwright Wordsmith has come to prominence in the orchestral world through his collaborations with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. His own classical fusion Made In America borrows from such influences as Maurice Ravel, Wu-Tang Clan, Ludwig van Beethoven and Notorious B.I.G. Learn more
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STILL
Festive Overture
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Festive Overture features distinctly American motifs and a blend of brass fanfares and lyrical strings.
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THOMAS
Of Our New Day Begun
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Of Our New Day Begun was composed to honor victims of the 2015 Charleston church shooting, blending elements of Black American church tradition and blues with a message of resilience and hope.
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Selections from Jimmie Herrod
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WORDSMITH
Made in America
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Through spoken word and music, Made In America reflects on the American Dream—both its successes and hardships—as Rimsky-Korsakov, Ravel, Beethoven and Chopin are fused with Lil Nas X, Wu-Tang Clan, Notorious B.I.G. and the work’s creator, Wordsmith.
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BONDS
Benediction, from Montgomery Variations
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Montgomery Variations captures the spirit of protest and resilience that fueled the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. The concluding Benediction transforms the spiritual I Want to Walk with Jesus into a promise of divine love, culminating with an emotional “Amen.”
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SIMON
Amen!
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Carlos Simon’s Amen! summons images of the Black American church experience, from dancing to shouting to soulful singing, flowing seamlessly through exuberant, soulful and dramatic moments.
Minnesota Orchestra
Jonathan Taylor Rush
conductor
Jimmie Herrod
Vocalist
Wordsmith
soloist
Ashley DuBose
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. This past fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his tenure as music director.
Jonathan Taylor Rush is an accomplished and visionary conductor whose musical journey is a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to inspire joy and hope in the hearts of others. Rooted in his musical upbringing within the church, Rush’s approach to conducting is imbued with elements of gospel and soul music. He is an ardent advocate for living and underrepresented composers.
With “a voice like a beacon of hope” (Seattle Times), vocalist Jimmie Herrod brings singular power and expressivity to his global career as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer on stage and screen. He is thrilled to make his Minnesota Orchestra debut with this performance.
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.
Ashley DuBose is a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter widely known for her run on NBC’s The Voice. Her catalog spans multiple genres from R&B to pop to acoustic soul. With talent and brains to match, DuBose attended St. Paul Public Schools where she cut her teeth with live music performance, and later graduated with a B.A. in mathematics from St. Catherine University a day after releasing her debut album, Somethin’ More.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Meet the Makers Market
When: Fri Jun 14, 2024 | Prior and Intermission
Where: Lobby
Celebrating Black Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
We're excited to host a handful of the Twin Cities' top brands curated by our community partner Shemeka Bogan for a pre-concert makers market. Check out The Dream Shop, Brown Babies Puzzles, Pieces of Kandakes, Nature's Syrup, Kelly's Candles, Thomasina's Cashew Brittle, Essie's Wonder Butters, and Lucius Shake Down Rubs!
Pre-Concert Performance
When: Fri Jun 14, 2024 | 7:15 - 7:45pm
Where: Target Atrium
Known MPLS, an audition-based gospel youth choir founded by Courtland Pickens in the summer of 2019, stands as a beacon of recognition and empowerment for young voices in Minneapolis. We utilize performance-based music education to galvanize youth between the ages of 12-25 as agents of change by promoting self-esteem, leadership skills, cultural awareness, discipline and a commitment to excellence.
Pre-concert Activity
When: Fri Jun 14, 2024 | 7:15 - 7:45pm
Where: Lobby
Juneteenth Speaks table presentation with Lee Henry Jordan. Juneteenth Speaks is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing Black History as American History. The goal is to elevate and celebrate the importance of Juneteenth year-round, shedding light on its significance as the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Lee Henry Jordan is a passionate community developer and filmmaker residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Pre-concert Exhibition
When: Fri Jun 14, 2024 | 7:15 - 7:45pm
Where: N. Bud Grossman Mezzanine
Join us on the Mezzanine for the exhibition Black Liberation: Dismantling Racism in Minnesota 1800s-1960s. Curated by Tina Burnside, research assistance by Simiyah Garrison, and graphic design by Michaela Spielberger, the exhibition is an exploration of the Black Liberation Movement in Minnesota focusing on Black-led organizations and Black leaders including abolitionists, labor, civil rights and Black Power leaders. The exhibition is presented by the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG). MAAHMG preserves, records and celebrates the history, art and culture of Blacks in Minnesota through exhibitions, programs and community events.
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 Minnesota Orchestra App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
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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