SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK AND BILL BANFIELD PRESENT “SYMPHONY 10: AFFIRMATIONS FOR A NEW WORLD”

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NEWORCHESTRAL COLLABORATION SET FOR HARRIS THEATER IN CHICAGO, OCTOBER 4, 2012
September24, 2012 (New York, NY)  Iconic andGrammy Award-nominated a cappella ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK will presenttheir first ever orchestral collaboration, “Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World,” with musiccomposed by William C. Banfield and lyrics written by the ensemblemembers:  Ysaye M. Barnwell, CarolMaillard, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, and Louise Robinson.  The performance will be conducted byBanfield, in collaboration with the Sphinx Virtuosi (America’s most celebratedand influential African-American and Latino youth orchestra ensemble), and TheChicago Children’s Choir (directed by Josephine Lee), at the prestigious HarrisTheater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL, on Thursday, October4, 2012 at 7:30 PM.Inaddition, to “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World, the Harris Theaterengagement will also feature individual performance sets by SWEET HONEY IN THEROCK and the Sphinx Virtuosi.“Symphony10: Affirmations for a New World,” was co-commissioned by the National SymphonyOrchestra (Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director), and the John F. KennedyCenter for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC; the Minnesota Orchestra, (OsmoVänskä, Music Director), Minneapolis, MN; and the Harris Theater for Music andDance, Chicago, IL.  The work premieredwith the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins and the MorganState Choir, (directed by Eric Conway), at the Kennedy Center in Washington,DC. The Minnesota Orchestra presented the work at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis,which was conducted by Mark Russell Smith with the Vocal Essence Choir (directedby Philip Brunelle).  Both were presentedin late April 2012.SWEETHONEY IN THE ROCK and Banfield began collaborating on “Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World,” five yearsago. The final thirty minute work comprises five movements including:  “A Higher Note” by Aisha Kahlil, ”Dreams,” byCarol Maillard, “The Day the World Awoke,” by Nitanju Bolade Casel, “Discourseof Change,” by Ysaye M. Barnwell and “Yes,” by Louise Robinson.  “Symphony10:  Affirmations for a New World”, is alabor of love and one of the most challenging and adventurous projects we'veundertaken as a group," stated Ysaye Barnwell.  "It has been a dream to one day blendour unique sound, artistry, and lyrics with a symphony orchestra, and we'revery fortunate to have fulfilled it by partnering with such a gifted andtalented composer as Bill Banfield,” she added. “We thank the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the National SymphonyOrchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra, for co-commissioning, “Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World”, and we aredelighted to be performing it in Chicago.”
Banfieldcited some of the musical inspiration and concept for the score by offering,"Symphony 10:  Affirmations for aNew World," affirms every human power we have:  love, imagination, fear and courage, will tochange, dreaming, to ask the question and to touch someone else's soul.  It is stepping out as the text asks for ‘ahigher note,’ to redefine the traditions in our art that need new fueling.”
Formore information regarding tickets, visit: www.harristheaterchicago.org or call 312.334.7777
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCKwww.sweethoneyintherock.org