The award-winning Brazeal Dennard Chorale, now under the artistic direction of Alice McAllister Tillman, will present its 44th annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Marygrove College Sacred Heart Chapel.
The concert will feature a diverse musical program designed to usher in the holiday season including carols, classical works and sacred Negro spirituals performed by the 40-plus members of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale.
““We are preparing literature that is challenging and exquisitely beautiful, ” said Tillman, who will be conducting the Chorale for the first time in concert. “The repertoire will demonstrate the Chorale’s ability to be sensitive to the specific needs of each piece and genre represented. We look forward to presenting a program that will be enjoyed by all.”
Tillman’s concert debut as the Chorale’s conductor is the latest chapter in her lifelong musical journey. A renowned soprano and versatile artist whose experiences have taken her to concert halls and recital stages across North America, Tillman’s relationship with the Chorale dates back to her days as a student at Detroit’s Northwestern High School where Brazeal Dennard produced award-winning choirs as director of the Fine Arts department.
“I met Brazeal Dennard when I was a student in the music department at Northwestern High School. It was there that my love for classical music and ensemble singing began,” said Tillman, who also may sing during the Holiday Concert. “Being a part of The Brazeal Dennard Chorale and helping to fulfill the mission of the organization is an awesome responsibility.
General admission tickets for the 4 p.m. Holiday Concert performance are $25.
Concert tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the Chorale office at 313-331-0378 or online at www.brazealdennard.com.
Tickets also can be purchased the afternoon of the concert at the entrance of the Marygrove College Sacred Heart Chapel. Marygrove College is located at 8425 West McNichols (off Wyoming) in northwest Detroit.
“The Chorale is extremely excited about performing at Marygrove College because it gets us back into the community,” said Chorale Executive Director Yvonne Turner, who also sings soprano in the group. “We want to give the community—especially people who may not know about the Chorale—a chance to hear us, see us and be a part of us.”
An added attraction to the Holiday Concert will be selections performed by the Brazeal Dennard Chorale Young People’s Chorus, featuring male and female singers ranging in age from eight to 18.
Named after its legendary founder, the late Brazeal Dennard, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale’s mission is to “remember, discover, preserve, and share the Negro spiritual as a part of the artistic community, and to rediscover and perform significant choral works by African American composers.”
The Chorale, whose members represent all walks of life, won gold and silver medals at the 2012 World Choir Games.
Learn more about the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, visit www.brazealdennard.com.
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