2008
TO: Boston Pops Community Gospel Choir
FR: Bro. Dennis L. Slaughter and Norris Welch, Boston Community Choir
Greetings Choir Members!!!!
This message is to give details about Gospel Night at the Pops 2008—the 16th Annual Gospel Night Concert! This year’s program will be in Symphony Hall on Saturday, May 31st at 7:30 p.m. This is an invitation for you to consider participating.
The choir’s rehearsals will be held on 5 Sunday afternoons leading up to Maestro Floyd’s arrival for the final week of intensive concert preparation. Please review the attached rehearsal schedule and so that you can see if your schedule will allow you to participate. Each choir member must attend at least 4 of the 5 Sunday afternoon rehearsals and all of the final days of intensive rehearsals with Maestro Floyd in order to sing on the program. Because there is a limited amount of space on the stage at Symphony Hall, we are unable to accommodate all the singers who may be interested in joining the chorus. The first chorus slots will be made available to those singers who have passed auditions within the past five years. Once these slots have been filled, new singers will be considered—by audition only!
In Order To Be Eligible To Sing…
All singers should complete and return the Ability/Availability Form by Wednesday, March 12. For Gospel Night singers who have sung at some point(s) since 2003, this will reserve a space for you. For all other singers, this form indicates your interest in auditioning. The choir auditions will be held on Sunday, March 16 between 3:00pm and 8:00pm and on Monday March 17 between 6:00pm and 9:00pm. Soloists’ Auditions will be held on Wednesday, March 26, Thursday, March 27 and on Friday March 28 between 6:00pm and 9:00pm. ALL auditions are by appointment. Please reserve your time.
Historical Information On Gospel Night At The Pops
In 1993, the first Gospel Night at the Pops was presented with Maestro Isaiah Jackson and Rev. Alvin Parris at the helm. For the ten years from 1994 – 2003, Maestro Charles Floyd designed, arranged, and conducted the program. In 2004 Maestro Chelsea Tipton, II conducted arrangements by Dennis Montgomery, III, Renese E. King, and Dennis L. Slaughter. In 2005, Maestro Floyd returned to the podium, and has conducted the two years since. This year, we welcome Maestro Floyd back to conduct the program which features the choir and orchestra, and special guest, Ms. Oleta Adams!
While excitement is expressed about Gospel Night 2008, and future Gospel Night programs, we would be remiss to pass over the opportunity to acknowledge those who founded and began this journey with us in 1993 but have been called "home" to sing in daily Gospel Nights! Among those who are no longer with us, we respectfully remember Vondal Taylor, Esq. (former Overseer of Boston Symphony Orchestra) and Kenneth Haas (former executive director of Boston Symphony Orchestra organization).
Thank You so much for your interest and participation; we look forward to
hearing from you!!!