Rackham Symphony Choir of Detroit presents the Michigan premiere of Donald McCullough’s “Let My People Go: A Spiritual Journey Along the Underground Railroad”.

On February 29 and March 1, Rackham Symphony Choir presented the Michigan premiere of "Let My People Go!" to capacity audiences at the Marygrove Liberal Arts Theatre. Suzanne Mallare Acton, conducted and Rackham Symphony Choir was joined by the Marygrove College Chorale and the Hartford Memorial Bach Choir. The collaboration brought together suburban and urban participants to celebrate the lives and struggles of the heroes of the Underground Railroad through a unique presentation featuring choral music, narration and dance interpretations of African-American spirituals.

McCullough’s “Let My People Go: A Spiritual Journey Along the Underground Railroad”- premiered in May 2003 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and as part of the inauguration of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. It explores the coded language hidden within the spirituals that helped slaves escape to freedom.

Featured soloists included Alaina Brown, soprano, Leah Dexter, mezzo-soprano, Anthony P. McGlaun, tenor, and Carl Clendenning, bass-baritone. The dramatic presentation featured narration by Madelyn Porter and Council Cargle, African drums, and the Marygrove College Dance Company with choreography by Penny Godboldo. Read the concert program.

On Friday, February 29, a special performance for students was presented to nearly 400 Detroit Public School students. The performance was followed by a question and answer session.

For more information please contact Melissa Bunker at (313) 886-9074.