(CHERRY HILL, NJ) -- Greater South Jersey Chorus presents a new collaboration with the South Camden Theatre Company and the Camden County Historical Society, through generous funding from PNC Arts Alive and the Camden County Commission for Arts & Heritage, for performances on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15 of “Let My People Go! A Spiritual Journey Along the Underground Railroad,” music composed and arranged by Donald McCullough with a script by Denny Clark.
These concerts are part of a two-year programming initiative to commission and present contemporary choral works that are reflective of the African American experience through music. Through the power of music, as storytelling, personal expression and healing, this work raises the critical voices and perspectives that need equal emphasis and celebration. The opportunity for presenting and listening to these insights is more crucial than ever before. The GSJC believes that these key perspectives, both past and present, are crucial to include in choral music, which are especially critical in today's social climate.
These performances will feature the full 90-member chorus, soprano, Laurice Kennel, mezzo soprano, Kristina Lewis, tenor, Travis Lucas and bass, Brenton Mattox, actors, Wendi Smith and Eric Carter, accompanied by a chamber ensemble. Highlighting the rich history of the Underground Railroad in southern New Jersey, the evening calls special attention to historical sites such as Peter Mott House Museum in Lawnside, Croft Farm in Cherry Hill and the Camden County Historical Society in Camden.
“Bringing this powerful work to life through these performances is something I have been planning for some time. Being able to present it in such a collaborative way will deepen the experience for all of us including our chorus members, audiences, and partners,” said Dr. Christopher B. Thomas, Artistic Director of the Greater South Jersey Chorus. The chorus, under the direction, Dr. Christopher Thomas, received funding for this program from the Camden County Commission for Arts & Heritage and PNC Arts Alive grant program, which supports programs that provide a reflection of our shared cultural heritage and individual experiences, a vital pathway for the exploration of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Robert Bingaman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Camden Theatre Company, said, “For the South Camden Theatre Company, it is a thrill to partner for this important work and combine our patrons in the Greater Philadelphia region, who turn to the arts for inspiration, equality, and honesty. “
Performances will take place on Saturday May 14 at 8:00pm at Christ Our Light Church located at 402 Kings Hwy North, Cherry Hill, NJ and Sunday May 15 at 3:30pm at First Nazarene Baptist Church located at 1500 South 8th Street, Camden, NJ. Tickets prices are $5 for Camden City Residents and $25 for all others, and can be purchased at the door, or in advance at https://greatersouthjerseychorus.org.
Christopher B. Thomas is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, Artistic Director of the Greater South Jersey Chorus in Haddonfield, NJ, and past president of the New Jersey chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association (NJACDA). His engagements as a conductor have taken him across the country and on several international engagements, including invitations to teach and conduct choral-orchestral masterworks. His work as a guest conductor is consistently recognized as energetic, inspiring, enthusiastic, and inclusive of all levels of experience and ability. Dr. Thomas studied music education at Millikin University with Dr. Brad Holmes and earned his graduate degrees in Choral Conducting at the University of Arizona under the direction of Dr. Bruce Chamberlain.
Laurice Simmons Kennel, Soprano, was born and raised in Southwestern Michigan. She now resides in Philadelphia, PA with her husband Andrew. She received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Michigan State University and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Currently, Ms.Kennel studies privately with Sharon Sweet. Laurice has performed a wide range of operatic roles. She has sung the role of Mimi (La Boheme), Micaela (Carmen), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Violetta (La Traviata) and Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica). Ms. Kennel has sung with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, Lyric Opera Company Los Angeles and OperaDelaware. She will be singing Madame Lidoine for Delaware Valley Opera's production of Dialogues of the Caremelites for their 2022 summer season.
Kristina Nicole Lewis graduated from the Academy of Vocal Arts in 2015, in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Johns Hopkins’ Peabody Conservatory for her Masters of Music in Voice, and graduated from Converse College Petrie School of Music with her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. Kristina made her Kennedy Center debut in December 2019, as the guest artist for the Choral Arts Society of Washington DC, and most recently performed with The Music Roundtable of Morristown, NJ and Penn Square Music Festival. Kristina has performed as a guest artist for several organizations such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Handel Choice, Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Harlem Opera Theatre, Opera Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Choir, and Bucks County Choral Society. She has also performed a variety of operas such as Olga in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Ulrica in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri, the Countess in Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades, Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata, and Baba the Turk in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress.
Philadelphia native Travis Lucas, Tenor, has graduated from the University of Delaware with a M.M. degree in Vocal Performance in May of 2017. In the summer of 2016, Travis attended the CoOperative Summer Program for young artists where he studied with vocal coaches from the Julliard School, Westminster Choir College, and the Metropolitan Opera. In August 2019 he had the wonderful opportunity of singing the title role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi with Opera Susquehanna, the role of Marcello in Puccini’s La bohème with Portland Opera in the fall of 2019 and was again selected as an Apprentice Artist for the 2020 Winter Season with Sarastoa Opera covering the role of Le Duc in Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette. Marking his first role as a tenor he had the wonderful opportunity to cover the role of Maurizio in Baltimore Concert Opera’s production of Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur. Travis is very excited to be making his debut with Greater South Jersey Chorus and can’t wait to share this beautiful music with everyone!
Brenton Mattox, a Bass from Jasper, Texas has recently been a featured soloist with The Philadelphia Chorus, the Marian Anderson Historical Society, and a recitalist with Opera Roundtable. He’s also sang with the Philadelphia Opera Chorus, and is a member of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir. In 2017, Mattox completed his second summer as a young artist with Red River Lyric. There He performed the roles of Melisso (Alcina), and Father (Beauty and the Beast). In 2016, Mattox was a young artist with Russian opera workshop, where he sang the role of Kochubey (Mazeppa), was featured in their Russian Romances concert, and participated in Masterclasses with American composer Daron Hagen and famous mezzo soprano Florence Quivar. In 2015, Brenton performed Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte) with Red River Lyric. Mattox received both his Bachelors and Masters from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). During his time there, he was the graduate assistant in voice and the bass section leader at the local Presbyterian church. His performances included the bass soloist in The Messiah and covered Elijah from Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Mattox also performed the roles of Simone (Gianni Gianni),Kezal (Bartered Bride), and Falstaff (The Merry Wives of Windsor).
Eric Carter was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He started acting at age 14, at The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, under Mel Williams. As a teenager, Eric performed with the Arden Theater Company's "Third and Indiana" and Freedom Theater's "Cooley High, the Musical" and "Black Nativity". After high school, he was cast to play Big Bird in Sesame Street Live, a traveling children's show. He toured the country for 2 years, experiencing the world, while doing what he loves. After the tour ended, Eric was cast in his first Off-Broadway show, called “Corner Wars”. He spent 3 months, in New York performing. It was there where he was seen by ABC studios, and landed his first television appearance, on the hit show NYPD Blue. Over the years, Eric continued to perform around the country. Some of his credits: Theater-Sunset Baby, The Mountaintop, Crumbs From the Table of Joy, and TopDog/Underdog, to name a few. Film- Racists Anonymous, Luv Don't Live Her No More, The Ryder's and Initiation. Eric currently resides in Philadelphia, Pa, with his 2 children Alyssa and Eric.
Wendi Smith is a proud native of New Jersey. She has been acting theatrically since high school, deciding later to take the arts more seriously in college. Wendi earned her B.A. Degree from Rutgers University with a dual major of Theater Arts and Psychology. Wendi is active in the Tri-state area with the theater and film scene. She has performed in several plays, commercials, and films to date. It has always been her passion to be able to inspire others through theater, film, & television. Wendi is thrilled and humbled to work with the production team and chorus of “Let My People Go”. To keep updated on Wendi's next projects, follow her at @wendifs on IG. "Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.” Wendi appears courtesy of a guest artist contract through Actors' Equity Association.
Established in 1992, Greater South Jersey Chorus (GSJC) is an auditioned, mixed voice ensemble embracing a diverse range of choral genres that has earned widespread respect for its richly varied repertoire, beautiful sound, and thoughtful interpretations. Singers perform in the full chorus and a smaller chamber ensemble, representing a vibrant mix of amateur and professional musicians drawn from throughout the Delaware Valley. Greater South Jersey Chorus is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, singer-managed organization. A board of trustees composed of chorus members and community professionals is its governing body. After more than 25 years, the chorus remains committed to bringing quality musical performances to a broad audience throughout the region in addition to expanding our community service initiatives in the area. We strive to entertain, educate, and enrich our communities through music. Performances feature a broad range of multicultural, traditional, and contemporary choral pieces.
South Camden Theatre Company was incorporated on October 6, 2005, as a professional theatre company. South Camden Theatre Company works hard to produce shows with paid actors, directors, and designers, and is led by a non-profit theatre Board of Directors. The individuals who serve on the Board of Directors are all volunteers and do what they do out of love for theatre and for the community. Together, the South Camden Theatre Company produce some of the best theatre productions in the greater Philadelphia region. As Camden’s first professional theater that enhances the community by creating quality artistic productions while anchoring The Waterfront South Arts District. The South Camden Theatre Company strives to promote South Camden’s rebirth as a destination by providing a positive experience for its residents and those from the surrounding region. The goal is to entertain, engage, and educate.
