♪ Shadowed beneath Thy hand ♪ ♪ May we forever stand ♪ ♪ True to our God ♪ ♪ True to our native land ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) - Good evening.

- [Audience] Good evening.

- My name is Jennifer Barlament, I'm the executive director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

And I'm joined by my friend, the one and only Dr. Patrice E. Turner, the director of Worship and The Arts here at Ebenezer.

(audience cheering and applauding) We're so glad you're here tonight and we're so honored to be here.

The King Celebration is a very important part of Atlanta, and the Civil Rights Movement is so definitional to what makes Atlanta Atlanta.

And music was such a vital part of the movement, so it totally makes sense for us to celebrate Dr. King and his legacy through music, and I can't think of a more perfect place to do it than right here at Ebenezer.

So thank you so much for being such wonderful, generous hosts and for inviting us into our house.

We're honored to be here.

Now, before we get started, I'd like to make a few thank yous.

First, I'd like to thank you, Reverend Warnock, for inviting us and for allowing us to be here.

(audience applauding) The entire team here at Ebenezer has just been truly tremendous, and we're so grateful for their help and for their great generosity.

I'd also like to thank all of our performers tonight, your Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Ebenezer Choir, the band, and all of our other performers have really put so much heart and love into this event, and we're grateful for your artistry.

(audience applauding) I'm grateful for all of you for being here and for supporting everything that we do at the ASO and at Ebenezer all year round.

I'm also pleased and honored to welcome members of the King Family and also Dr. Bernice King, who will share some reflections later in the program.

And I would also like to very much thank Bank of America for their sponsorship, for helping make this possible.

And our media partners, WABE and Georgia Public Broadcasting, who are going to help us capture the magic of what happens here tonight and spread it out across Atlanta, our great state of Georgia, and beyond at a later date.

And without further ado, I would like to hand it over to a woman who helped mastermind this program.

Her vision has driven the thoughtfulness and the beautiful music that will come to you tonight.

It is Dr. Turner.

She's going to give us some insights on what you're gonna hear tonight and also talk a little bit about how it all came together.

So over to you, Dr. Turner.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Jennifer.

Wow.

You look amazing, even better than I had envisioned several years ago.

Pastor Warnock and I talked about reestablishing our collaboration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and tonight it has come to fruition.

Would you please give yourselves a round of applause?

(audience applauding) Now for those of you who do not know, Pastor Warnock and I love jazz and every Memorial Day weekend, we have a Jazz Sunday.

So tonight, what you will hear is a combination of Jazz Sunday, Ebenezer Sunday, classical music, gospel music, jazz, anthems, spirituals, hip.

We are going to have an amazing worship experience tonight that spans all of the musical genres.

And what will happen... Oh, you can clap for that too, if you like.

(audience applauding) So consult your programs, and make sure that you go on this ride with us.

Now I do have to be the bad guy or bad gal and give you a little house rules.

Here are the house rules.

All right, you ready?

No photography of any kind, so please put the phones down.

Thank you very much.

I love you.

No videography of any kind.

The reason why is because we are recording, we are filming, okay?

And we also wanna make sure that we respect the artists.

Also, I ask that you turn your phones off.

I want you to be present.

I'm trying to be as present as possible tonight, all right?

I want you to be present in this moment.

So please try to turn your phones off or make sure that they are on silent or vibrate.

Now here's the good thing.

If you hear something that you like, you can clap, you can shout, you can respond to that.

If you hear something that you know, that you would like to sing along with, 'cause there will be some singing going on, you can laugh, (people chuckling) I want you to sing along as well, because there's one point in this concert in particular where we really want you to sing along, and our conductor will let you know about that.

Without any further delay, may I introduce to you my beloved pastor, the honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Well.

(audience continue applauding) Hello, everybody.

- [Audience] Hello.

- You in the Baptist Church, talk back to me.

Hello, everybody.

- [Audience] Hello.

- I am the proud pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and Senator and servant of the great people of the state of Georgia.

And for both of those roles, I'm deeply honored.

(audience applauding) So, let me be really honest, I can barely contain my excitement tonight.

It has long been my dream that we would bring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra back to the Ebenezer sanctuary.

Give them a great big round of applause.

(audience applauding) So glad to have them here.

I reminded them that they've been here before.

I was told, before my tenure, and I think the acoustics of this room are great for the symphony, but we will experience all of that together tonight.

I don't know what's going on with my voice, but I don't have to sing, so no problem.

(audience laughs) But the church is the place where, in our tradition, we have never embraced this dichotomy between the sacred and the secular.

Jazz, the blues, the spirituals, the gospel, all come from the same root, mingled with the European classics, the anguished ruminations of a subjugated people speaking to God in their own voice.

Where would our struggle be without our music?

And so we will hear sweet sounds tonight, and I am so excited about that.

We know that this Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is versatile because they're in the church tonight.

Last week they were hanging out with Rick Ross, I think.

(audience laughing) Is that right?

I was there when they were with Tia.

I was in the house for Tia.

But tonight it's the sound, the jazz, the gospel, the church classics, and we know that all of us will be blessed.

So thank you so very much for being here.

This is a fine tribute to our great warrior, Martin Luther King Jr. (audience applauding) This concert will be aired on NPR, on WABE on January 20th.

So tell others about it.

Share it so that those who are not in tonight will benefit nonetheless.

Dr. King, I say in closing, and nobody believes a Baptist preacher when he says in closing.

(audience laughs) He loved to talk about Franz Schubert's "Symphony No.

8."

It is an unfinished symphony and scholars debate about why he didn't finish.

But life is an unfinished bit, an unfinished symphony, Dr. King used to remind us.

And I believe that if your life's project, if your life's project is no longer than your lifespan, then you're thinking too small.

You need a life's project that's longer than your lifespan, engaged in the noble work of an unfinished symphony.

And so in these moments together at the beginning of this year, I think we're going to need this music.

(audience laughing) We're going to need spirit culture to inspire us again and again to fight for justice, to build what Dr. King called the beloved community, God's great dream for humanity.

And so in the words of Dr. King, may the jangling discords of our nation be transformed into a wonderful symphony of love and brotherhood.

Bless all of you, thank you so much for being here tonight.

(audience applauding) (no audio) (audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (intense music) (intense music continues) (sweet music) (sweet music continues) (solemn music) (audience applauding) (audience continues applauding) (no audio) (soft music) (whimsical music) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (lighthearted music) (lighthearted music continues) (lighthearted music continues) (joyous music) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (whimsical music) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (mischievous music) (mischievous music continues) (mischievous music continues) (adventurous music) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (adventurous music continues) (whimsical music) (whimsical music continues) (dramatic music) (audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (joyous music) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) ♪ Lift every voice and sing ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing ♪ ♪ Till earth and heaven ring ♪ ♪ Ring with the harmonies of liberty ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing ♪ ♪ Let our rejoicing rise ♪ ♪ High as the list'ning skies ♪ ♪ Let it resound loud as the rolling sea ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing ♪ ♪ Sing a song ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing ♪ ♪ Full of the faith ♪ ♪ That the dark past has taught us ♪ ♪ Sing a song ♪ ♪ Full of the hope ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing ♪ ♪ That the present has brought us ♪ ♪ Facing the rising sun ♪ ♪ Of our new day begun ♪ ♪ Let us march on, let us march on ♪ ♪ Till victory ♪ ♪ Is won ♪ (triumphant music) (gentle music) ♪ Stony the road we trod ♪ ♪ Bitter the chast'ning rod ♪ ♪ Felt in the days ♪ ♪ When hope unborn had died ♪ ♪ Yet with a steady beat ♪ ♪ Have not our weary feet ♪ ♪ Come to the place for which our fathers sighed ♪ ♪ We have come, oh, we have come ♪ ♪ Over a way that with tears has been watered ♪ ♪ Oh, we have come ♪ ♪ Treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered ♪ ♪ Out of the gloomy past ♪ ♪ Till now we stand at last ♪ ♪ Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast ♪ (solemn music) (solemn music continues) (solemn music continues) (solemn music continues) ♪ God ♪ ♪ Of our weary years ♪ ♪ God ♪ ♪ Of our silent tears ♪ ♪ Thou who hast brought us ♪ ♪ Thus far on the way ♪ ♪ Thou who hast by Thy might ♪ ♪ Led us into the light ♪ ♪ Keep us forever ♪ ♪ In the path ♪ ♪ We pray ♪ (uplifting music) ♪ Lest our feet ♪ ♪ Stray from the places ♪ ♪ Our God, where we met Thee ♪ ♪ Lest our hearts ♪ ♪ Drunk with the wine of the world ♪ ♪ We forget Thee ♪ ♪ Shadowed beneath Thy hand ♪ ♪ May we forever stand ♪ ♪ True to our God ♪ ♪ True to our native land ♪ (uplifting music) ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ (audience applauding and cheering) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) - Thank you very much, and good evening everyone.

- [Audience] Good evening.

- My name is Jonathan Taylor Rush, I have the great pleasure of serving as your conductor tonight for our program in front of our world-class orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony, as well as our combined choirs and band.

(audience applauding) I just wanted to talk briefly about the next piece, "An Act of Resistance."

It was composed by Joel Thompson, a composer who was actually raised here in Atlanta, and, yeah, and Joel, he wrote this really, really wonderful piece that starts with a dark march that almost represents divisiveness.

And sometimes we sense that inside of our world now.

However, we're then followed by a moment of hope and harmony where we're all brought together.

And then that's followed by an interruption of divisiveness trying to break up that hope.

But at the end, love wins.

And the choir and orchestra join together in singing the word love.

And I want to invite you, our beloved community, to also join in, in singing the word love at the end of the piece.

There are four different ways that you can sing this tune.

And honestly, I want you to sing it if you feel like you need to sing it, okay?

"An Act of Resistance" is being able to resist the darkness and resist the, yeah, the darkness that the world is dealing with and the tension that's happening inside of our world.

But who will resist that?

Who will stand and be vulnerable and sing the word love at the end?

I'll let you decide and sing it how you feel.

But I will demonstrate how it sounds.

The choir is gonna help us demonstrate how it sounds so you at least have an idea of which part that you want to sing.

This is the word love.

Starts with the fourth part.

(Jonathan hums) ♪ Love ♪ - Then it's joined in by the third part.

Sounds like this.

♪ Love ♪ - [Jonathan] Then the second part.

♪ Love ♪ - And then the first part.

♪ Love ♪ - And all those parts we join together.

If you forget it, you'll hear it inside the piece as well.

But thank you.

I'll let that sit with you.

I'll let that sit with you, and I hope you all really enjoy and feel the power of this piece, "An Act of Resistance" by Joel Thompson.

Thank you so much.

(audience applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (march-like music) (march-like music continues) (hopeful music) (hopeful music continues) (hopeful music continues) (hopeful music continues) (soaring hopeful music) (soaring hopeful music continues) (exhilarating music) (exhilarating music continues) (exhilarating music continues) (exhilarating music continues) (delicate music) (daring music) (serene music) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (serene music continues) (soulful music) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (soulful music continues) (courageous music) (courageous music continues) (courageous music continues) (courageous music continues) (courageous music continues) (courageous music continues) (courageous music continues) (dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) (no audio) (serene music) ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ (no audio) (audience applauding) (audience continues applauding) (audience continues applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (no audio) (audience applauding) (heartwarming music) (heartwarming music continues) ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Precious Lord ♪ ♪ And lead ♪ ♪ Me home ♪ ♪ Precious Lord ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Lead me on ♪ ♪ Let me stand ♪ ♪ I am tired ♪ ♪ I am weak ♪ ♪ I am worn ♪ ♪ Through the storm ♪ ♪ Through the night ♪ ♪ Lead me on ♪ ♪ To the light ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Precious Lord ♪ ♪ And lead ♪ ♪ Me home ♪ ♪ When my way ♪ ♪ Grows drear ♪ ♪ Precious Lord ♪ ♪ Linger near ♪ ♪ When my life ♪ ♪ Is almost gone ♪ ♪ Hear my cry ♪ ♪ Hear my call ♪ ♪ Lord, I want You to guide ♪ ♪ My feet ♪ ♪ Lest I fall ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Precious Lord ♪ ♪ And lead ♪ ♪ Lead me home ♪ ♪ At the river ♪ ♪ Where, where I stand ♪ ♪ Oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord ♪ ♪ Oh Lord, I want You to guide my feet ♪ ♪ Guide my feet ♪ ♪ Guide my feet ♪ ♪ Guide my feet ♪ ♪ Hold my hand ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Precious Lord ♪ ♪ And lead ♪ ♪ Lead ♪ - [Audience Member] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

♪ Lead ♪ ♪ Home ♪ (audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (no audio) - That was so powerful.

Let's give her one more round of applause.

(audience applauding) Absolutely.

Well, listen, it's my great pleasure to introduce you to another one of our special guests, singing one of his great hits, it's none other than Gregory Porter.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (jazzy music) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (bluesy music) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 19, hey, the Motor City is burning ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ Great God of mine ♪ ♪ The Motor City's burning ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ It ain't ♪ ♪ There was a man ♪ ♪ A voice of the people ♪ ♪ Standing on the balcony ♪ ♪ Of the Lorraine Motel ♪ ♪ Shots rang out ♪ ♪ Yes, it was a gun ♪ ♪ He was the only one ♪ ♪ To fall down, y'all ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ Then his people screamed ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for sunlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for sunlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for moonlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for moonlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for streetlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for streetlight ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's burning really bright ♪ ♪ Real bright ♪ ♪ Some folks say we gonna fight ♪ ♪ Gonna fight ♪ ♪ This here thing just ain't right ♪ ♪ Ain't right ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 19, hey, the Motor City's burning ♪ ♪ Great God of mine it's, great God of mine, it's burning ♪ ♪ Won't somebody help me, won't somebody help me ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪ (bluesy music) ♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey ♪ ♪ Young man ♪ ♪ Coming out of a liquor store ♪ ♪ With three pieces of black liquorice ♪ ♪ In his hand ♪ ♪ Mister Policeman ♪ ♪ God bless him ♪ ♪ Thought it was a gun, thought he was the one ♪ ♪ Shot him down ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ Then his momma screamed ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for sunlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for sunlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for moonlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for moonlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for streetlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for streetlight ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's burning real bright ♪ ♪ Real bright ♪ ♪ Some folks say we gonna fight ♪ ♪ Gonna fight ♪ ♪ This here thing just ain't right ♪ ♪ Ain't right ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 19, hey, the Motor City is burning ♪ ♪ Hey, can't you see that's it's burning ♪ ♪ Can't put out the burning, it's burning in my mind ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ (bluesy music) (jazzy music) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (jazzy music continues) (audience applauding) (jazzy music continues) (bluesy music) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (spirited music) (bluesy music) (bluesy music continues) ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 19, hey, the Motor City is burning ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ There was a man ♪ ♪ Voice of the people ♪ ♪ Standing on the balcony ♪ ♪ Of the Lorraine Motel ♪ ♪ Shots rang out ♪ ♪ Yes, it was a gun ♪ ♪ He was the only one ♪ ♪ To fall down, y'all ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ Then his people screamed ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for sunlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for moonlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for streetlight ♪ ♪ Ain't no need for streetlight ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's burning really bright ♪ ♪ Real bright ♪ ♪ Some folks say we gonna fight ♪ ♪ Gonna fight ♪ ♪ 'Cause this here thing just ain't right ♪ ♪ Ain't right ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 19, great God almighty, it's burning ♪ ♪ Won't somebody help me, it's burning ♪ ♪ Can't put out the fire, it's burning ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ (bluesy music) ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ 1960 who ♪ ♪ 1960 what ♪ ♪ Mm, that ain't right ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ ♪ That ain't right ♪ (audience applauding and cheering) (audience continue applauding and cheering) (audience applauding) (no audio) - One more time for Gregory Porter.

(audience applauding and cheering) So our next tune, the "Benediction" from Margaret Bonds's "Montgomery Variations."

We heard the third movement first, the seventh movement is "Benediction."

It was dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is after actually the Montgomery Bus boycott, which he did lead.

But we're gonna actually dedicate this movement, "Benediction," to the late great President Jimmy Carter.

(audience applauding) So we hope you all enjoy this wonderful, wonderful piece and variation of the tune, "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," the "Benediction" from Margaret Bonds's variations.

(no audio) (soothing music) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (joyous music) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (joyous music continues) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (soaring music) (soaring music continues) (soaring music continues) (soaring music continues) (soaring music continues) (whimsical music) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (whimsical music continues) (audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (lively music) (lively music continues) (lively music continues) ♪ I have a dream ♪ ♪ One day we'll be free ♪ ♪ Free from all the pain and all the strife ♪ ♪ And I have a dream ♪ ♪ I have a dream ♪ ♪ To live in harmony ♪ ♪ 'Cause I've been dreaming ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ I have a dream ♪ ♪ That one day we'll be free ♪ ♪ Free from not who we are, but who we are ♪ ♪ Yes, I have a dream ♪ ♪ I have a dream ♪ ♪ To live in harmony ♪ ♪ 'Cause I've been dreaming ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ From every mountain and valley (indistinct) ♪ (choir singing indistinctly) ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ From every mountain and valley (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Let freedom, freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring ♪ ♪ Lett freedom, freedom ring ♪ (lively music) (lively music continues) ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let's let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let's let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let's let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let's let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let's let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Freedom ♪ ♪ Let's let freedom ring ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (audience applauding) (no audio) (enigmatic music) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (enigmatic music continues) (elusive music) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (elusive music continues) (ethereal music) (audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) Carlos Simon, everyone.

(audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (no audio) (spirited music) (spirited music continues) (spirited music continues) ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Oh, almighty God ♪ ♪ Our sovereign ♪ ♪ Through the (indistinct) of Thy name ♪ (choir singing indistinctly) ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Oh, almighty God ♪ ♪ Our sovereign ♪ ♪ Through the (indistinct) of Thy name ♪ (choir singing indistinctly) ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ For His (indistinct) ♪ ♪ (indistinct) every way ♪ ♪ God is (indistinct) ♪ ♪ I will honor Him ♪ ♪ God is (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Praise God in His sanctuary ♪ ♪ Praise Him in the firmament of His power ♪ ♪ Oh, almighty God ♪ ♪ Our sovereign ♪ ♪ Through the (indistinct) of Thy name ♪ (choir singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) (choir continues singing indistinctly) ♪ Praise Ye the Lord ♪ ♪ Our God ♪ ♪ Our God ♪ ♪ Our God ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (no audio) (sweet music) (sweet music continues) ♪ If I can help somebody ♪ ♪ As I pass along ♪ ♪ If I can cheer somebody ♪ ♪ With a word or song ♪ ♪ If I can show somebody ♪ ♪ He is traveling wrong ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ If I can point somebody ♪ ♪ To the Lamb once slain ♪ ♪ If I can tell somebody ♪ ♪ That He rose again ♪ ♪ That He can cleanse the guilty ♪ ♪ He can wash the stain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ If I can help somebody ♪ ♪ As I pass along ♪ ♪ Knowing my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ If I can do my duty ♪ ♪ As a Christian, as a Christian ought ♪ ♪ If I can bring back beauty ♪ ♪ To a world up wrought ♪ ♪ If I can spread love's message ♪ ♪ That the Master taught ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ If I can help somebody ♪ ♪ As I pass along ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ If I can help somebody ♪ ♪ As I pass along ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ (uplifting music) ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not be in vain ♪ ♪ If I can help somebody ♪ ♪ As I pass along ♪ ♪ Then my living ♪ ♪ Shall not ♪ ♪ Be in vain ♪ (uplifting music) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) - Welcome my sister, the Reverend Dr. Bernice King.

(audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) - Thank you, Reverend Pastor Senator Warnock.

(audience laughing) Good evening everyone.

- [Audience Member] Good evening.

- It is a privilege to join you tonight for this extraordinary celebration of music, talent, and the transformative power of the arts.

For 30 years, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program has opened doors for young musicians of color, creating pathways to professional orchestras, and ensuring that the brilliance of our diverse communities is represented in the world of classical music.

This evening, we have the honor of experiencing the artistry of one of these exceptional musicians, Waverly Alexander.

Waverly, a junior at Milton High School, began studying the violin at the age of three, captivated by its powerful and elegant sound.

Over the years, she has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to her craft, studying under the esteemed mentors, and attending prestigious programs such as the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Brevard Music Center.

Now in her sixth year with the Talent Development Program, Waverly embodies the excellence and promise this program was designed to nurture.

Tonight's performance of Florence Price's "Adoration" reminds us of the trailblazing legacy of Price, the first African American woman to have her work performed by a major American orchestra.

It also invites us to reflect on the origins of this very program, which began in 1992 as a collaboration between ASO, NPR, The King Center, Morehouse, and Spelman Colleges.

My mom was a featured soloist during the inaugural celebration, and I recall attending the ASO's "A King Celebration" annually for many years with my mom, other members of my family, some of whom are here tonight, as well as members of The King Center family.

It was one of the signature programs included in The King Center's King Week events.

My mother's involvement in this program was a continuation of her own life's journey as a young student at the Lincoln Normal High School, a private school nearby her home in Marion, Alabama, supported by the American Missionary Association.

She, along with her sister, brother, as well as other classmates, were introduced to music.

There she took formal vocal lessons, learned to read music, and played several instruments including the piano, the trumpet, and the violin.

It was at Lincoln where my mom was inspired to pursue music as her area of focus in college and as her primary career choice.

By the age of 15, she had become the choir director and pianist of her church's junior choir.

And during the early stages of the civil rights movement, she held numerous concerts and eventually developed and presented freedom concerts, which combined singing and narration to share the story of the various campaigns of the movement, and also to raise monies for the movement.

My mom's early exposure to music as an art form shaped her life and mirrors Waverly's own story of discovering the violin at a young age and pursuing her passion with determination.

My mother often spoke about how music was a bridge to the beloved community, a way to inspire, uplift, and bring us closer together.

Let us celebrate not only Waverly's incredible achievements, but also the enduring legacy of programs like the Talent Development Program, which ensures that future generations of artists, dreamers, and change makers continue to thrive.

Now, please join me in welcoming Waverly Alexander as she performs "Adoration" by Florence Price.

(audience applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (soothing music) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (soothing music continues) (audience applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continues applauding) (audience continues applauding) (no audio) - Waverly Alexander, everyone.

We will remember that name.

(audience applauding and cheering) I'll be looking forward to working together in the future, for sure.

(audience clapping) Yeah, you can clap for that.

Absolutely.

(audience applauding) Well, once again, to sing his wonderful hit, "Take Me to the Alley," let's welcome back Gregory Porter.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (no audio) (light music) (light music continues) (light music continues) (light music continues) (light music continues) (light music continues) (light music continues) ♪ Well, they guild their houses ♪ ♪ In preparation for the King ♪ ♪ And they line the sidewalks ♪ ♪ With every sort of shiny thing ♪ ♪ They will be surprised ♪ ♪ When they hear Him say ♪ ♪ Take me to the alley ♪ ♪ Take me to the afflicted ones ♪ ♪ Take me to the lonely ones ♪ ♪ That somehow lost their way ♪ ♪ Let them hear me say ♪ ♪ I am your friend ♪ ♪ Come to my table ♪ ♪ Rest here in my garden ♪ ♪ You will have a pardon ♪ ♪ Brother, you will have a pardon ♪ ♪ Well, the guild their houses ♪ ♪ In preparation for the King ♪ ♪ And whoa, they line the sidewalks ♪ ♪ With every sort of expensive, important and shiny thing ♪ ♪ But, oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ They will be surprised ♪ ♪ When they hear His Majesty say ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Take me to the alley ♪ ♪ Take me to the afflicted ones ♪ ♪ Take me to the lonely ones ♪ ♪ That somehow lost their way ♪ ♪ Let them hear me say ♪ ♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh ♪ ♪ I am your friend ♪ ♪ Come, come and eat at my table ♪ ♪ Rest here in my garden ♪ ♪ Brother, you will have a pardon ♪ ♪ Sister, you will have a pardon ♪ (bluesy music) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) (bluesy music continues) ♪ Well, they guild their houses ♪ ♪ In preparation for the King ♪ ♪ And whoa, they line the sidewalks ♪ ♪ With every sort of expensive and shiny thing ♪ ♪ But, oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ They will be surprised ♪ ♪ When they hear the Royal Highness say ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Take me to the alley ♪ ♪ Take me to the afflicted ones ♪ ♪ Take me to the lonely ones ♪ ♪ That somehow lost their way ♪ ♪ Let them hear me say ♪ ♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh ♪ ♪ I am your friend ♪ ♪ Come, come and eat at my table ♪ ♪ And, whoa, rest here in my garden ♪ ♪ Oh, brother, you will have a pardon ♪ ♪ Oh, sister, you will have a pardon ♪ ♪ There ain't a thing that you can do ♪ ♪ To which the King cannot issue a pardon ♪ ♪ Lonely one ♪ ♪ Hungry one ♪ ♪ Addicted one ♪ ♪ Afflicted one ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ You will have a pardon ♪ ♪ By Royal decree ♪ ♪ Listen to me ♪ ♪ You will have a pardon ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) - Well, just in case you don't make it tomorrow morning, you just heard the Gospel.

(audience laughing) (audience clapping) Take me to the alley, you will have a pardon.

That is the word of God for the people of God.

- [Audience] Amen.

- Thanks be unto God.

Let's hear for the incomparable Gregory Porter.

(audience cheering and applauding) And while we're at it, let's hear it for Dr. Patrice Turner, (audience cheering and applauding) the young and inspiring Waverly Alexander, (audience cheering and applauding) another of Ebenezer's own, Timothy Miller.

(audience cheering and applauding) If you want to hear him again, he's here on Sunday mornings.

(audience laughing) You know who else is here on Sunday morning?

Tamika Patton (audience cheering and applauding) and a brother who is the director of music for Mariah Carey.

He gets on a plane, gets here by Saturday night.

On Sunday morning, he's the director of music for the Ebenezer Church, Daniel Moore.

(audience cheering and applauding) I was sitting there and my sister leaned over, she said, "The Black Panther just walked in to direct the choir."

(audience laughing) (audience continue laughing) Let's hear it for Jonathan Taylor Ross.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience chattering) (audience laughing) We're family, you know.

(audience laughing) Ebenezer Church is used to me by now.

Ebenezer Baptist Church choir and band, (audience cheering and applauding) members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, (audience cheering and applauding) and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience continues applauding) What an amazing night.

- [Audience] Yeah.

- This was a dream, something I wanted us to do.

Turned out even better than I imagined.

Grateful for the ways in which we continue what has been a grand tradition and we honor the ancestors.

We honor the ancestors.

Thank you King family, for all that you represent and for all that work that you do.

(audience applauding) So, one last number, and here to lead it is someone that I'm glad and proud to have serve as director of worship and the arts at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

She's the first woman in that position and she's been committed to music like Waverly.

Like you, Waverly, she started at age three, playing the piano.

And like me, she's a PK, a preacher's kid, and she's serious about her craft.

The woman has six degrees.

(audience murmuring) Who does that?

(audience laughing) Bachelors degrees from the Ohio State University, masters and doctorate degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University.

And then if that wasn't enough, she went and got a Seminary Degree.

Look, the poop is not vacant, but she went and got a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, (audience murmuring) and graduated summa cum laude with all six degrees.

(audience applauding) She's serious.

She's intense.

She is a triple threat at least.

She sings.

She plays the piano.

She directs.

And sometimes she composers in real time.

Would you welcome my sister, Dr. Patrice Turner, "For Every Mountain."

(audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (no audio) (no audio) ♪ I've got so much ♪ ♪ To thank God for ♪ ♪ So many wonderful blessings ♪ ♪ And so many open doors ♪ ♪ A brand ♪ ♪ New mercy ♪ ♪ Along with each ♪ ♪ Each new day ♪ ♪ That's why I give You the praise, God ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, God ♪ ♪ And for this ♪ ♪ I give ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ The praise ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ For waking me up this morning ♪ ♪ Father, I praise You ♪ ♪ Started me on my way ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ For letting me see the sunshine ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ Of a brand new day ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ A brand new mercy ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ Along with each new day ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You, God ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ I give You the praise ♪ ♪ You're Jehovah Jireh ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ That's right ♪ ♪ God, You have been my Provider ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ So many times ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ You've met the sweetest need ♪ ♪ And so many times You reached out and rescued me ♪ ♪ Oh, I wanna praise You, God ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ I want to thank ♪ ♪ You give to me each day ♪ ♪ That's why I praise You ♪ ♪ That's why I give You the praise, God ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ I give You the praise ♪ ♪ I give You praise ♪ (uplifting music) ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ For every mountain ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ You brought me over ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ For every trial ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For this, Lord ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ I give You praise ♪ ♪ I give You the praise ♪ ♪ You give me all this (indistinct), God ♪ ♪ For every mountain ♪ ♪ For bringing me over and over (indistinct) ♪ ♪ You brought me over ♪ ♪ For every trial (indistinct) ♪ ♪ For every trial ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ Lord ♪ ♪ For every single blessing ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ (indistinct) sing hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For this I give You praise ♪ (uplifting music) ♪ For every mountain ♪ ♪ You brought me over ♪ ♪ For every trial ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ And Lord ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ I sing hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ I give You praise ♪ ♪ I give You the praise ♪ ♪ For every mountain ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ You brought me over ♪ ♪ For every trial ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ I sing hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For this, Lord ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ I give You praise ♪ ♪ I give You the praise ♪ (audience cheering) (intense music) ♪ For every mountain ♪ ♪ You brought me over ♪ ♪ For every trial ♪ ♪ You have seen me through ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ Sing to me ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For this I give You praise ♪ (uplifting music) ♪ For every mountain ♪ ♪ You brought me over ♪ ♪ For every trial ♪ ♪ You have seen me through ♪ ♪ You've seen me through ♪ ♪ For every blessing ♪ ♪ I sing hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For this ♪ ♪ I give You praise ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (no audio) (audience laughing) (no audio) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Oh, deep in my heart ♪ ♪ I do believe ♪ ♪ That we shall overcome someday ♪ (gentle music) ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Oh, deep in my heart ♪ ♪ I do believe ♪ ♪ That we shall overcome someday ♪ (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Oh, deep in my heart ♪ ♪ I do believe ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ (gentle music) ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ Someday ♪ (soaring music) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering) (audience continue applauding) (audience chattering) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience cheering and applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience continue applauding) (audience chattering) (no audio)