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Clarence Smith Community Chorus to
perform in the Peristyle May 11
The Clarence Smith Community Chorus (CSCC) will perform the
Choral Odyssey, a program showing the power of the
Negro spiritual, at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) Saturday,
May 11 at 7 p.m. on the Peristyle stage.
It will be an enlightening, poignant, entertaining program
from one of Toledo's outstanding choral organizations. The
30-member CSCC will highlight the beauty of the Negro
spiritual, in addition to classical and gospel selections.
Celebrating its 43rd season, the CSCC again
shares with the greater Toledo area a unique series of
cultural offerings. The Chorus specializes in the
performance of Negro spirituals and is dedicated to its
preservation as well as the performance of works by African
American composers. The CSCC also maintains a liberal
helping of standard classical music in its repertoire. Its
members come from all walks of life, unified by their mutual
love of great music.
“We
are pretty excited about the opportunity,” said Chorus
Director Mr. Clarence R. Smith, Jr. “The Peristyle is an
absolutely beautiful environment and it is inspiring to
perform on its stage.”
“We
hope to inspire, to educate, as well as entertain,” Smith
said.
The longevity of the choir speaks to its
purpose and the dedication of those members who share the
same vision, Smith said. The membership of the CSCC is
drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, united by their
love of music.
“The music itself is important enough but it
isn’t just entertainment, it is historically and culturally
important,” Smith said. “The music reflects not only the
pain and struggle of the slavery experience but also shows
the tenacity, determination and faith it took to survive
it.”
In the past, the choir has performed
everything from classical literature, to Broadway, gospel
and jazz. The focus of the May 11 concert will be
spirituals but will include a little of the musical variety
that audiences have come to expect. The Chorus will also
feature violist, Dr. Steven Kruse and an African drum
ensemble directed by Kenneth Peterson. There will be
arrangements and compositions from historical figures such
as Undine Smith Moore, R. Nathaniel Dett, contemporary
composer Stacey V. Gibbs, Moses Hogan and classical
composers Melchoir Vulpius and L.V. Beethoven.
“This concert is a wonderful collaboration
between the Museum and one of the most vibrant local arts
organization,” explained Scott Boberg, TMA’s manager of
programming and audience engagement. “We are delighted to be
able to showcase both the local talent and the beautiful
music.”
General admission is $15 and seniors are $13. To purchase
tickets, visit toledomusuem.org. Great Performances is
supported in part by the Dorothy MacKenzie Price Fund and
Hartmann & Associates.
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