COMMUNITY
2018/19
2018/19 SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. TRIBUTE — WE CRY FREEDOM COLORADO SYMPHONY BERTIE BAIGENT, conductor DAMON GUPTON, narrator TAMARA BANKS, host MICHAEL CHIPMAN, piano ANTHONY GADSON, keyboard DAVE CHIPMAN, drums JUAN HAWKINS, percussion MIKE HANCOCK, flute CALLUM NEESON, guitar ALEX SCOTT, bass CONNOR MCGHEE, saxophone MONIQUE ROBERTS, violin Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. Boettcher Concert Hall Orchestra Overture JOHN WILLIAMS
Liberty Fanfare
—Humanitarian Awards Presentation— Lyric for Strings
WALKER CARMICHAEL
"Georgia on My Mind" Featuring Connor McGee
RICHARD SMALLWOOD
"I Love the Lord"
Featuring Shelly Lindsey and The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Community Choir
—Humanitarian Awards Presentation— continued on next page PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
SOUNDINGS
2018/19
PROGRAM 1
COMMUNITY
2018/19
DVOŘÁK
New World Symphony (excerpt from mvt II. Largo/Meno Mosso)
COOKE
"A Change is Gonna Come" Featuring Rajdulari
MICHAEL CHIPMAN
"Because We Can" —Humanitarian Awards Presentation—
SCHWANTNER
New Morning for the World ("Daybreak of Freedom") narrator, Damon Gupton
CLEVELAND, BENSON, GAYE arr. Michael Chipman/ Orchestral arrangement by Michael Hancock
"What's Going On" Featuring Stephanie Hancock
—Award winners to be announced from stage.— BISHOP LARRY TROTTER
"Don't Last"
Featuring The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Community Choir
— Closing comments by Tamara Banks _ MARTY HAUGEN
Thanks be to God/We Shall Overcome
Featuring The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Community Choir
PROGRAM 2
C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G
COMMUNITY BIOGRAPHIES BERTIE BAIGENT, conductor
PHOTO: BEN DURRANT
British-born Bertie Baigent is rapidly building an international reputation as an exciting and dynamic conductor-composer. He is the musical director of the Waterperry Opera Festival, the London Young Sinfonia, and in various contexts has conducted the WDR Sinfonieorchester, the Gürzenich-Orchester, the Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest, the Britten Sinfonia, the London Sinfonietta, the Orchestre National de Lille, and the Orchestre de Picardie. Baigent has assisted conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Edward Gardner, and Jac van Steen, and has participated in masterclasses with Martyn Brabbins, Pierre-André Valade, Harald Jers, and others. In 2017 he was awarded the Royal Academy of Music’s Sir Henry Wood Scholarship and Ernest Read Conducting Prize, and participated in the Deutscher Dirigentenpreis. Also at home in the world of opera, recent engagements have included Così fan tutte at the Bedford Park Festival and the world premiere of Nero Monologues for Opera in the City; Bertie has also worked with Shadwell Opera, Helios Opera, OperaUpClose, and will conduct at Hampstead Garden Opera and Waterperry Opera Festival in the 2018/19 season. New music is particularly important to Baigent, with past and forthcoming collaborations including those with the London Sinfonietta, the Phaedra Ensemble, and 4|12 Collective. Baigent's compositions have been widely performed by artists such as the Aurora Orchestra, the Bath Philharmonia, the Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, and the viol consort Fretwork, and have been heard in venues such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Royal Festival Hall. He has been awarded prizes and commissions by organizations including the Royal Philharmonic Society, the BBC, and the National Centre for Early Music. His works have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, and other European radio stations, and are published by Stainer & Bell. Baigent is a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and trained as a cellist and pianist before focusing on conducting and composition. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double first in 2016, and completed an MA in conducting with Sian Edwards at the Royal Academy of Music, London.
DAMON GUPTON, narrator A native of Detroit, Michigan, Damon Gupton held the post of assistant conductor of the Kansas City Symphony from 2006 to 2008. Gupton received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Michigan. He studied conducting with David Zinman and Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music Festival and with Leonard Slatkin at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C. He is a winner of the Third International Eduardo Mata Conducting Competition, held in Mexico City. Musical collaborations include work with Marcus Miller, Kenn Hicks, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Byron Stripling, Tony DeSare, The Midtown Men, Kathleen Battle and Jamie Cullum. An accomplished actor, Gupton graduated from The Drama Division of the Juilliard School in New York. He has had roles in television, film, and on stage. He received an AUDELCO nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the Broadway production of Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning Clybourne Park. Gupton’s television credits include series regular roles on Black Lightning and Criminal Minds, among others. He also appeared in Damien Chazelle’s Academy Award-winning films Whiplash and LaLa Land SOUNDINGS
2018/19
PROGRAM 3
COMMUNITY BIOGRAPHIES TAMARA BANKS, host For Emmy® Award-winning journalist Tamara Banks, the statement “One Person Can Make a Difference,” is more than just words. Ms. Banks is currently using her 20 years of journalism experience to evoke positive social transformation in our local community and globally through excellence in journalism and civic engagement. She is a freelance correspondent, anchor, and host of numerous local, national, and international news organizations. Ms. Banks is also a sought-after keynote speaker. Ms. Banks is a global thinker and international documentary filmmaker. She produces films and news programs in many parts of the world including Sudan, South Sudan and the Nuba Mountains focusing on genocide and crimes against humanity. Ms. Banks has also traveled to Uganda to interview child soldiers as well as to Rwanda where she reported on that country’s post genocide challenges and successes. Ms. Banks was a well known as a respected anchor and reporter for WB 2 News in Denver, Colorado before becoming a national and international freelance journalist. Her work has appeared on ABC News, HDNET’s World Report, CNN, BBC World, FOX News, and Al Jazeera America. tamarataz@msn.com; On Facebook - TazMedia
HUMANITARIAN AWARD - RHONDA M. COLEMAN Rhonda M. Coleman, DAOM, is on a mission to create a holistic, wholebody health, in the communities of color in Denver-Metro community. She strives to enhance lives and increase the life span longevity of the African American Communities in Aurora and North East Denver through the benefits and uses of traditional and complementary medicine systems. Dr. Coleman founded The Healing Garden, a non-profit holistic education center and clinic, housing a collective of complementary medicine providers, to further facilitate her life passion. She is a Certified Instructor & Lifestyle Coach for the CDC Diabetes Awareness and prevention program; Certified Food for Life Instructor by PCRM; NADA Acudetox Provider; Onda Mansa (high level status in the Brazilian-African Martial Arts and Dance art Capoeira); US Air Force Veteran; Culturs Magazine contributing columnist; dancer, mother and community activist for racial justice and health equality.
PROGRAM 4
C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G
COMMUNITY BIOGRAPHIES HUMANITARIAN AWARD – CECIL GUTIERREZ Cecil Gutierrez, Mayor - Loveland, Colorado, has spent 42 years investing in building a community that invites and values diversity in northern Colorado. He moved to Loveland Colorado in 1976 and spent 29 years investing in the various internal and external aspects of secondary music education. During his second career, Mayor of Loveland, Colorado, Cecil Gutierrez has worked diligently to increase the diversity of the city of Loveland. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Loveland Events Committee annual Proclamation publicly renewing the city’s commitment to civil rights is strongly supported by Mayor Gutierrez. “The proclamation supports the efforts of Loveland citizens who help ‘advance equal rights and reinforce our commitment to honoring and preserving diversity in our community’.” The community feels that their city is guided by a mayor, staff and a city counsel that honors “diversity and equal rights as the cornerstone of a thriving democracy and a moral imperative to the actions of a local government that contributes to the health and well-being of everyone.”
HUMANITARIAN AWARD – JANDEL ALLEN-DAVIS Jandel Allen-Davis, MD., has served as vice president of Government, External Relations and Research for Kaiser Permanente, Colorado, and was recently appointed as the President and CEO of Craig Hospital. Dr. Allen-Davis has served on, as well as presided over, a myriad of community boards as well as chaired various local and national fundraising events in the areas of women’s health/research/medicine, community leadership and political action. While chairing the Denver Botanic Gardens she pursued making it a garden for all and provision of fresh vegetables for their four food desert sites. She has received recognition and a multitude of awards for community leadership, support of women’s health, especially in the areas of African American women’s health, and research. Dr. Allen-Davis is well known for her commitment to people living in poverty. She has thoughtfully contributed to discussions and resolutions to challenging community health access and homelessness.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – ERIC K. HUGHES Eric K. Hughes, retired educator, has had a lifetime of achievement, creativity and service. He has been inspired by his great-grandfather Booker T. Washington and by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His rich and varied background includes both employment and volunteer work in different educational settings. As a volunteer for six years, Eric instituted and administered Project Excel at Bromwell Elementary School in Denver. He recruited 35 volunteers and for several years helped young students learn to read and develop good study habits. He used the and teachings of his heroes to educate and demonstrate the value of education. The presentations were held at schools (elementary through university) churches and other community organizations. As a life -long learner, he understands and appreciates the difference that education can make in one’s life and in the lives of others. SOUNDINGS
2018/19
PROGRAM 5
COMMUNITY BIOGRAPHIES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – JEROME DAVIS Jerome Davis, Regional Vice President for the Public Service Company of Colorado, an Xcel Energy Company, has been active in the Colorado community for many years. Xcel Energy has built well-earned reputation for community investment and charitable giving promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, environmental stewardship and access to the arts. He has oversight of their community service constituency empowerment programs including United Way Campaign as well as various employee volunteer and corporate sponsorship programs. He currently serves as a board member of the Denver Metro Economic Development Corporation, Visit Denver, Colorado Health Foundation, Aurora Economic Development Council and the Denver Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.
DR. JOYCE MARIE DAVIS OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD – TRAYOSHA DECKER Trayosha Decker, Kapourous charter member, Manual High School female leader of color, maintaining a 3.5 GPA, basketball team stellar athlete, and idyllic peer role model. After observing the negative stereotyping, painful awkwardness and biases that both she and other female students of color were experiencing at her high school, she wanted to create a positive support group for being a teenage girl of color in the 21st century. She and a group of her friends created the sorority, Kapourous (the Greek version of the school mascot, the thunderbolt), that reminded girls of color of their value. It strives to build members up, encourage academic achievement, participation in sports, and building honest, positive, friendships. Trayosha works hard to promote a positive reputation of her school in the community as well as within the school walls. The Denver Public Schools Superintendent, and Board, are thrilled with Kapourous and support Trayosha’s vision.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – KENZIE HULL Kenzie Hull, 94 year-old Army Veteran who worked with Ruth Steele from the beginning of the Pueblo Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission. Mr. Hull is one of the original mule hitchers, who hitched the team of mules to the wagon, where the replication casket of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was carried home. Mr. Kenzie is a WWII Army Veteran and served at the Pueblo Army Depot. He retired from CF&I in Pueblo after more than 35 years of service. Mr. Kenzie is the past President of the Pueblo NAACP and currently services on the executive committee. He is the deacon of the 8th Street Baptist Church.
PROGRAM 6
C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G
COMMUNITY BIOGRAPHIES WILMA J. WEBB FOUNDERS AWARD – DENNIS GALLAGHER Dennis Gallagher, retired former Denver City Auditor, worked with Representative Wilma J. Webb, and Representative Jerry Kopel to pass the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday in Colorado, while serving as State Senator from North Denver. “The Senate was always the stumbling block, but Senator Regis Groff finally broke the log jam and we got the bill through.” Gallagher served in the Colorado House and Senate for 24 years, on the City Council for 8 years and as City Auditor for 12 years. He was an early supporter of candidate Wellington Webb when he first ran for mayor. “I was with him when he was at 4%. It was Wellington, the now infamous tennis shoes, and myself in the room.” When reminiscing about the passage of the holiday bill, he’s honored to have played role in the accomplishment; he always tried “to leave our city more beautiful than he found it.”
WILMA J. WEBB FOUNDERS AWARD – BARBARA SHANNON BANNISTER Barbara Shannon Bannister, Manager, in the Community Relations Division of the City of Aurora for over 25 years. Known as BSB, she co-founded the Metro-Community Provider Network (MCPN) which provides medical care to families who have little or no access to health care. Bannister is responsible for bringing the Aurora Branch of the NAACP to Colorado and was instrumental in the opening of Colorado’s only Dr. Martin Luther King Library, housed in Aurora. Bannister is one of the foundational 80 commissioners for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Commission and is the only original one still serving on its governing board. In 2016 her dream of a life-sized replica of Dr. King was realized when the city of Aurora funded the statue. Her voice and commitment have always spoken for the poor and disadvantaged; she has been a dedicated crusader and champion for the African American community in Colorado.
SOUNDINGS
2018/19
PROGRAM 7
COMMUNITY PROGRAM NOTES Lyrics to “We Shall Overcome” We shall overcome, we shall overcome, We shall overcome someday. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday. The truth will make us free, the truth will make us free, The truth will make us free someday, Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday. We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand, We’ll walk hand in hand someday. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday.
We are not afraid, we are not afraid, We are not afraid today. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday. The truth will make us free, the truth will make us free, The truth will make us free someday, Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday. We shall overcome, we shall overcome, We shall overcome someday. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COLORADO HOLIDAY COMMISSION VERN L. HOWARD, Commission Chair TERRY NELSON, Vice Chair BARBARA SHANNON-BANISTER, Treasurer SHYRETTA HUDNALL, Statewide Special Events Chair CHRISTIAN STEWARD, Deputy Marade Commander
WE ARE PEOPLE YOUTH COMMITTEE HYRETTA HUDNALL, Committee Chair ALTON CLARK, Vice Chair SUNITA HUDNALL, Secretary MICHAEL HUGHES,Youth Advisor MYJAE MALOY, Youth Advisor