The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Honor Choir, under the direction of UAB Music’s Brian Kittredge, will present “Songs of Freedom,” a free concert celebration of the seminal events of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham and the first signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“Songs of Freedom” will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S. The concert will feature a world premiere of “The Emancipation Project,” a series of compositions by composers Glenn McClure and Michael Trotta, to commemorate the occasion. Performing ensembles include the UAB Honor Choir, which includes outstanding high school student performers, with the UAB Concert Choir, Steel Drum Band and the Virginia Wesleyan College Choir. For tickets, call 205-934-7376 or visit www.uab.edu/music.
Earlier in the week, McClure will be in residence with the UAB Department of Music, working with students from the UAB Concert and Honor choirs.
“The Emancipation Project” is part of a larger series of works on which McClure is working with performing ensembles including the School of the Arts in Rochester, N.Y., the Left Bank String Quartet in Washington, D.C., Penn State University in State College, Penn., and Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Va.
“Songs of Freedom” is the first musical event in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Civil Rights Commemorative Series. McClure’s composition was commissioned with the help of a grant funded by the College of Arts and Sciences and the UAB Office of Research and Economic Development. For a complete listing of the college’s commemorative events, visit www.uab.edu/civilrights.
About UAB and 50 Years Forward
As an institution committed to service, excellence, diversity and community involvement, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a proud partner with the City of Birmingham in 50 Years Forward, the ongoing 50th anniversary commemoration of the seminal events of the of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. UAB is joining with others to mark this enduring legacy in a way that looks to the future — to sharing new knowledge that benefits society, to advancing the cause of human rights while educating tomorrow’s leaders and to improving quality of life for all. Learn more at www.uab.edu/50yearsforward.