Vail Series presents ‘The Power of Spirituals’ with The American Spiritual Ensemble

Thursday, February 25, 2021 8:00 pm EST to 9:20 pm EST

Live-streamed virtual event

Join us for a special Vail Series Virtual Experience from American Spiritual Ensemble, “The Power of Spirituals.”

As a prelude to their Swasey Chapel concert in February 2022, the captivating voices of American Spiritual Ensemble combine with narratives from Eileen Guenther’s recently published book, “In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals,” to present residency activities and a captivating virtual experience.

The virtual experience explores some of the forty subjects found in the Spirituals — issues integral to the culture of slavery ranging from family, labor, escape, and punishment, to faith, comfort, hope, and freedom — “always freedom.”

The powerful music and spoken words of this presentation not only shine a light on the events of the past but also offer hope and reconciliation to present-day circumstances.

Founded in 1995 by Dr. Everett McCorvey, The American Spiritual Ensemble is a critically acclaimed professional group composed of some of the finest singers in the classical music world. The vocalists have thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic renditions of classic spirituals and Broadway numbers.

Dr. McCorvey, a tenor soloist, has performed in many venues, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the Metropolitan Opera in New York; the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado; and Radio City Music Hall in New York. During the summers, Dr. McCorvey is on the artist faculty of the American Institute of Musical Study (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. He currently holds the rank of professor of voice and director of opera at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky.

Eileen Guenther is a professor of church music at Wesley Theological Seminary. She teaches music and worship courses, directs the chapel choir, co-directs the chapel services. She is a national and international organ recitalist and has performed in recordings with Etherea Records, the U.S. Air Force Orchestra, Vista Records (London), and Foundry Records. As an extension of her music ministry, she leads workshops nationally for musical and denominational organizations.

From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, February 15, as a part of his campus residency activities, Dr. McCorvey will join Denison’s Forward Cultural Conversation Series.

Cultural Conversation Series is a community-building, listening-to-learn experience where participants engage with peers to deliberate on topics pertaining to inclusion, equity, belonging, and otherness. Conversations are intended to build upon socially relevant topics and increase community awareness through organic candid interactions. They are hosting Dr. McCorvey to learn more about his story on establishing and sustaining the American Spiritual Ensemble during a historical era. This is presented in partnership with Denison Forward and the Office of Multicultural Students Affairs. Register for the Zoom link here.

Both events are free and open to the public, but registration is required.

You may register now for the February 25 virtual performance experience, and a viewing link will be sent to you the day of the performance.

Please enjoy this fantastic sneak peek for our February 25 experience.