Concert offers ‘musical coming together’ for Buffalo community

UB faculty and recent graduates will join with musicians from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Jaman Dunn and Gospel musicians from Buffalo’s African American church community to present a special Gift to the Community Concert on May 9.

The concert, presented by the Department of Music, will begin at 7:30 in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, North Campus. Admission is free.

The program features the music of a variety of African American composers, as well as several classic Gospel hymns.

“The concert is a musical coming together to commemorate the vitality and diversity of music-making in Buffalo one year after a racist attack in the heart of our city sought to divide our community and create fear and apprehension among its residents,” says Eric Huebner, professor and chair of the Department of Music.

The program features Dunn, former assistant conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic who is currently music director of the Buffalo Master Chorale and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Dunn will open the program with a set of songs by Harry T. Burleigh and Margaret Bonds, and then conduct a performance of Ollie Wilson’s landmark work for chamber ensemble, “A City Called Heaven,” featuring UB faculty members Michael Tumiel, Leanne Darling, Jonathan Golove and Tom Kolor joined by BPO musicians Xiaofan Liu and Linda Greene, and guest Steve Solook.

The second half of the program will feature UB professor and violinist Melissa White, joined by pianist Huebner, performing William Grant Still’s Suite for violin and piano.

The program will conclude with a set of Gospel music led by pianist Marcus Lolo, a recent UB graduate, and featuring vocalists Karen Saxon and Elise M. Russell, with Ron Bonner on keyboards; Timothy James Dowdell, organ; Anthony “Tone” Cummings, bass; and Preston Brown, drums. Their selection of classic Gospel hymns will include “Hosanna,” “Best Day,” “For Every Mountain,” “God Be With You” and “Total Praise.”