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Community Corner

Celebrate Black History Month at our Spirituals Concert!

West Jersey Chamber Music Society presents a favorite for WJCMS’s loyal audience – a selection of spirituals and folk songs at its concert Sunday, February 23, in homage to African-American History month.


Much of that history can be told in songs that often served a dual purpose, said Joel Krott, founder and music director of WJCMS. “For instance, the spiritual 'Steal Away to Jesus' was also a signal that spread word from plantation to plantation of an impending escape,” Krott said. A more direct purpose was served by “Follow the Drinking Gourd” – directions for fleeing slaves to look for the Big Dipper to take them North. The West Jersey Chamber Chorale and Soloists, featuring the popular bass Frank Mitchell, will perform traditional songs arranged by Johnson, Shaw, Burleigh, Dake, and Scriven.

Among these are three by Moses Hogan, “Ride on King Jesus,” “My God is so High,” and “Blind Man Stood on the Road and Cried;” Hall Johnson's “ Ain't Got Time to Die,” and the show-stopper “Ezekial Saw the Wheel,” arranged by William L. Dawson.

The concert, Sunday, February 23rd begins at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown. Tickets are available at the door for $20 ($15 for seniors and $10 for students). For details about tickets or group sales got to WJCMS.org or kiteandkeydesign@comcast.net

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