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Lift Every Voice

Black History Month Celebration

📍 This event takes place at Powell Hall

Friday, Feb 27, 2026, 7:30pm Get Tickets

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Program

Kevin McBeth, conductor
Imara Miles, vocals
Joseph Welch, keyboard
Vince Clark, electric bass
Bernard Long, drums
Steven Schenkel, electric guitar
St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus; Kevin McBeth, director

John Williams Liberty Fanfare
J. Rosamond Johnson / arr. Carter “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Samuel Ward / arr. Dragon “America the Beautiful”
Felix Mendelssohn “O Rest in the Lord” from Elijah
Rosephanye Powell “The Word Was God”
Traditional / adapt. Powell “Keep Yo’ Lamps”
Traditional / arr. Sterling “Jericho”
Traditional / arr. Hayes “In That Great Gittin’ Up Mornin'” from Spirit Suite
Carlos Simon Ring Shout from Four Black American Dances
Ludwig van Beethoven / arr. and orch. Riley Ode to Joy
Rosephanye Powell / orch. Mason Gospel Trinity

About this Concert

Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
–From “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” James Weldon Johnson

Join your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the IN UNISON Chorus for a joyful celebration of Black History Month. This special concert honors the lifetime achievements of renowned vocalist and choral composer Rosephanye Dunn Powell, showcasing the magnificent variety and depth of Black musical expression and her extraordinary body of work. Guest soloist Imara Miles joins for an unforgettable evening celebrating Dr. Powell’s enduring artistry, influence, and contributions to choral music.

Note: Due to personal reasons, Rosephanye Dunn Powell has had to withdraw from this performance. We are pleased to welcome Imara Miles in her SLSO debut as guest vocalist.

Artists

Meet the people that make the music.

Kevin McBeth

Conductor

Imara Miles

Vocals
Portrait of Dr. Joseph Welch

Joseph Welch

Keyboard

Vince Clark

Electric bass

Bernard Long

Drums
IN UNISON Chorus

St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus

Kevin McBeth, Director

Musicians of the SLSO

Special Thanks

Presented by the Steward Family Foundation
Supported by Bayer Fund

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The SLSO and IN UNISON Chorus present a joyful celebration of Black History Month in honor of renowned vocalist and choral composer Rosephanye Dunn Powell, featuring the vocal talents of Imara Ashton Miles.

Get Tickets