3 pm Saturday September 28, 2024
Ron Wiliams, baritone and Olga Rogach, piano

Crossing Over Campground : a concert of African American Spirituals and piano works by African-American composers.
"You will be informed, entertained, and touched by Ron's personal life stories, and you will leave the performance moved and spiritually uplifted." - Olga Rogach

Olga Rogach, pianist and Ron Williams, baritone

"Crossing over into Campground," the artists' title for this concert, beautifully captures the significance and emotional resonance of  spirituals in the context of the enslaved African American experience. The symbolism of “Crossing over the Jordan River”, whether as a metaphor for physical escape or spiritual liberation, adds a profound layer of meaning to works such as "Deep River," "Troubled Water," and "Steal Away to Heaven: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child."

The work of composers and arrangers like Mark Hayes in adapting and arranging these melodies further emphasizes their enduring impact and contribution to American musical heritage. It's a testament to the ability of music to convey deep emotions, tell stories, and connect people across time and space.

Margaret Bonds' musical settings of Langston Hughes' poetry not only showcase her skill as a composer but also serve as a testament to the rich cultural contributions of African American artists during their time.

Three powerfully gifted women composers who contributed significantly to the musical renaissance in Chicago during the early twentieth century. Florence Beatrice Price, Margaret Bonds, and Betty Jackson King each had their unique backgrounds and contributions to the world of music.

It is inspiring to learn about these remarkable women and their significant contributions to the world of music, particularly in the context of the Chicago Black Renaissance. Their dedication and talent continue to be celebrated and appreciated in the history of music.

RON WILLIAMS has sung leading roles with the San Francisco Spring Opera, Detroit Opera and Opera San Jose, where he performed the world premiere of Alva Henderson's The Last Leaf. Last summer he performed in a new recording of The Life and Times of Malcolm X by Anthony David with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. The recording has been nominated for a Grammy for best opera recording.

OLGA ROGACH received a Master of Music in piano performance from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia. She was a featured pianist for the Literary Association of St. Petersburg and the all-Russian Theatrical Society. Since emigrating to the U.S. in 1991, she has made her home in Worcester, where she is a leading regional piano teacher, privately and through Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Many of her students are prize-winners, including her former student Mackenzie Melemed, who appears in this series in 2023 and 2024. Ms. Rogach performs extensively in New England and is acclaimed for her recitals and collaborations with instrumentalists and vocalists.

Youth under 18 are admitted free to all concerts presented by Friends of the Stone Church.

Holders of the Massachusetts Card to Culture, a program of the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, are entitled to request one or two free tickets at the box office. Reservations are not required to use the Card to Culture. If you are planning to obtain a free ticket and wish to make a reservation, you may contact us by email to Events@FriendsoftheStoneChurch.org at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event. Thank you.