Oakland Symphony Chorus Spring Concert Mass for Freedom

Program:

Act 1
African American Spirituals and related songs

Amazing Grace
John Newton

Bawo, Thixo Somandla (Father, God Almighty)
South African Hymn

Hear My Prayer
Arr. by Moses Hogan

Soon Ah Will Be Done
Arr. by William Dawson

Abide With Me
Arr. by Moses Hogan

Wade in the Water
Arr. by Moses Hogan

Kumbaya/Come By Here
Hymn

Ain’t Got Time to Die
Hall Johnson

We Shall Overcome
Hymn

Your Hand in Mine
Betty Reid Soskin
Arr.  by Lisa Forkish

Elijah Rock
Arr. by Jester Hairston

I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Arr. by Moses Hogan
Swen Ervin, soloist

Walk Together, Children
Arr. by Moses Hogan

Act 2
Premiere of commissioned new choral work, based on African American Spirituals for Oakland Symphony Chorus (Dr. Lynne Morrow) and chamber ensemble

Mass for Freedom
Michael T. Roberts

I. Kyrie – Come by Here
II. Gloria – Woke Up This Mornin’ With My Mind Stayed on Freedom
III. Credo – Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round
IV. Sanctus – Ain’t Got Time to Die
V. Agnus Dei – We Shall Overcome

The text of Mass for Freedom combines the traditional spirituals with selected text from the Latin Mass Ordinary (in English translation) and additional words by the composer.