HISTORIC RPO CONCERT CONCLUDES MT. OLIVET’S HARVEST WEEK
HISTORIC RPO CONCERT CONCLUDES MT. OLIVET’S HARVEST WEEK
Free RPO community concert at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 7 p.m., Saturday, October 7
Rochester, NY – A celebratory community concert by your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) concludes Harvest Week at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester, NY, 14608, 7 p.m., Saturday, October 7.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public. No tickets are required.
One of the oldest Baptist churches in Rochester, Mt. Olivet has served as a community hub and haven for more than a century, with Rev. Dr. Rickey B. Harvey Sr. its Senior Pastor since 2008.
According to church spokesperson Jamila Evans-Rogers, this concert marks the first time that the full Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, now in its Centennial Season, has performed at Mt. Olivet.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be welcomed by Pastor Harvey,” says RPO Vice President of Artistic Planning and Operations James Barry. “We have a wonderful program planned, designed in collaboration with Mt. Olivet leadership, RPO Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman, and Herb Smith, RPO trumpeter – as well as our special guest artist, Soprano Kearstin Piper Brown.”
Some 10 years ago, Pastor Harvey launched Harvest Week, an autumn series of weeknight church services, each including a different high-profiled guest speaker. This year’s Harvest Week services and speakers are set for October 2-6, beginning at 7 p.m.
For the October 7 celebration concert, Hardeman will be on the podium, leading the orchestra through a dynamic setlist including a showcase for groundbreaking classical composers of African descent, such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, George Walker, and William Grant Still. Selections also include the emblematic black spiritual “Amazing Grace” and a medley of “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and “Witness.”
The concert will open with an original poem, “Vineyard,” from Peggy Harvey-Lee. Also, composer Still’s “Mother and Child” with be accompanied by Dr. Crystal Sellers-Battle’s newly written narration, to be read by Pastor Harvey.
“We are so fortunate to be able to partner with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on an event that highlights Rochester’s incredible local talent,” Harvey notes. “We hope this historic concert marks the start of a long partnership with the RPO and a tradition of Mt. Olivet bringing orchestral music to our community.”
This free concert is made possible by underwriting support from Christine Colucci. The concert is part of the RPO’s “100 Acts of Giving Back,” a Centennial Season initiative featuring a schedule of free concerts and music events taking place throughout the Greater Rochester area that ensures access to the orchestra for all.
Additional information on the Mt. Olivet Harvest Week is available at https://www.mt-olivetbaptistchurch.org
ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. Now in its Centennial Season, the RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, Ward Stare, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 30th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.
The RPO thanks Season Sponsor M&T Bank, Philharmonics Sponsor St. Ann’s Community, and Pops Series Sponsors Canandaigua National Bank and Wegmans.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: High-resolution images, as well as interview, event photo and b-roll opportunities are available upon request.
