CANCELED: Annual MLK Concert

With a heavy heart, we announce the cancellation of our Annual MLK Concert scheduled for Saturday, January 18, at Barnum Hall, due to the devastating fires.

Our thoughts are with all those impacted by these fires, including members of our Symphony family. We send our deepest gratitude to the first responders and community members working tirelessly during this difficult time.

We understand the importance of this annual celebration in honoring Dr. King’s legacy and fostering unity within our community. At this time, we do not have details regarding the possibility of rescheduling the concert, but we will keep you updated as soon as we have more information. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging situation.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support of the Santa Monica Symphony. We look forward to sharing music with you again soon. Please stay safe and take care of one another.

Stay safe,
Santa Monica Symphony

Santa Monica Symphony
Gary Pratt, guest conductor

Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
Charles Dickerson, founder and conductor

Dwayne Burrell, Clarinet
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, narrator
Tonoccus McClain, orator

Program:
Margaret Bonds    The Montgomery Variations

Gustav Mahler       Symphony No. 3
                                           VI. What Love Tells Me
Innercity Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
Charles Dickerson, conductor 

Intermission

Gary Pratt    Pasture Songs
Dwayne Burrell, Clarinet
Santa Monica Symphony
Gary Pratt, conductor

Aaron Copland  Lincoln Portrait
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, narrator
Santa Monica Symphony
Gary Pratt, conductor  

 James Weldon & John Rosemond Johnson   Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
Santa Monica Symphony & Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
Charles Dickerson, conductor 

Traditional    We Shall Overcome
Santa Monica Symphony & Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
Gary Pratt, conductor
Tonoccus McClain, orator

Concert Description:
The Santa Monica Symphony and the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles come together for a powerful celebration of unity at the Annual MLK Holiday Concert, presented in partnership with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition. Guest conductors Gary Pratt and Charles Dickerson lead an inspiring program, beginning with Margaret Bonds’ The Montgomery Variations. The beautiful final movement to Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 , What Love Tells Me, follows and then Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait pays tribute to the enduring fight for justice. The afternoon concert concludes with the combined orchestras performing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” and the audience sing-along of the anthem of the civil rights movement, “We Shall Overcome.”

Doors open at 2:00 pm.

Parking Details: TBD