Richmond Symphony celebrating MLK weekend with three concerts

The Richmond Symphony has scheduled three concerts during MLK weekend in January 2024, including two performances showcasing the gospel music of Richard Smallwood.

On Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, the Richmond Symphony will present “A Tribute to Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood” at 8 pm at the Dominion Energy Center’s Carpenter Theatre. For 40 years, the energy of Grammy Award-winning arranger Richard Smallwood has brought gospel and pop together. Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Destiny’s Child have performed his music. Dr. Henry Panion III, conductor with local community choirs, is conducting. The concerts will feature guest vocalists along with Richmond’s finest gospel choirs performing with the Richmond Symphony.

Get tickets to Friday’s concert here and Saturday’s at this link.

Selections include: “Presence of the Lord (by Byron Cage), “Order My Steps” (by Glen Burleigh), “The Best is Yet to Come” (by Donald Lawrence), and “Glory from Selma” (by John Legend and Common).

On Sunday, Jan. 14, join the Richmond Symphony for the “Celebrate MLK” concert at 3 pm at the Dominion Energy Center’s Carpenter Theatre. It’s a concert for all ages honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating his inspiring message. Conductor: Dr. Henry Panion III. Tickets can be found here.

The program includes:

• African-American Spirituals Suite, composed by Henry Panion III
• Lift E’very Voice and Sing, composed by J. Rosamond Johnson
• March from Montgomery Variations, composed by Margaret Bond
• Oh Freedom, Spiritual for Orchestra, composed by Adolphus Hailstork
• We Shall Overcome, arranged by Roy Ringwald