The New Orchestra of Washington (NOW), believes in the transformative power of music to bring us closer and connect us to one another, and this experience is only made richer by the variety of our backgrounds. While as a society we continue to grapple with racial and economic injustice, against a backdrop of the pandemic, NOW’s hope and motivation is that the Lift Every Voice concert will provide a space for dialogue and discovery, understanding and connection. Through NOW’s creative efforts, they hope to ignite our community and inspire enlightenment, engagement, and action.
Join NOW this Juneteenth, as they offer their first LIVE concert since the pandemic began! This concert will celebrate the music of Black composers of the past: George Walker, William Grant Still, Florence Price, and focus particularly on a vibrant Black composer of today: Jessie Montgomery.
Montgomery’s music has been performed by major ensembles around the world and as a young Black female composer, NOW hopes that her success indicates a turning tide in the classical music landscape, one that is truly accessible to women and especially women of color. NOW is excited to bring this music to you, and to continue to fulfill their founding promise of creating a more equitable classical performing arts stage.
Join NOW as they Lift Every Voice and introduce you to the music and stories of some of the most talented Black composers of the past and present, honor Black lives, and honor Black art.
This event is not presented by Strathmore.
Program
GEORGE WALKER (1922–2018) Lyric for Strings
JESSIE MONTGOMERY (b. 1981) Starburst
WILLIAM GRANT STILL (1895–1978) Mother and Child
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Source Code
Florence Price (1887–1953) Adoration
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Strum
WILLIAM GRANT STILL Cumbia y congo, from Danzas de Panama
TIPS FOR A GREAT VISIT
A Sneak Peek at The Patio Stage
A rendering of The Patio Stage at dusk. Tables seat 1–4 guests and are surrounded by 6 feet of space on all sides for your comfort. The covered space is open on 3 sides allowing for excellent airflow.
Guests will be seated a little further back from the stage than you may be used to, but there is not a bad seat in the house to experience energizing performances by outstanding artists. With state-of-the-art sound and lighting we’re ready to welcome a variety of artists!
The Patio Stage sits on the Trawick Terrace, just outside the lobby on the Orchestra Level of the Music Center. The venue is covered by a large tent with open sides.