Gospel Hallelujah Chorus Will Raise the Roof

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra welcomes the newest addition to our festive concert: The Evanston Symphony Holiday Gospel Choir led by Rev Ken Cherry will be singing a gospel version of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. The ESO commissioned the orchestration of this piece for this concert, with funding from the Evanston Arts Council, so this performance and piece are uniquely and specially Evanstonian!

The piece will be performed by the ESO, North Shore Choral Society and Evanston Children’s Choir, plus the Evanston Symphony Holiday Gospel Choir organized by Rev. Kenneth Eugene Cherry.

The spirited, six-minute song is from the 1992 gospel album “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration,” a contemporary reinterpretation of Handel’s acclaimed 1741 classic conceived and put together by multi-award winner Quincy Jones. “Soulful Celebration” won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel album.

“People can look forward to a great piece of music,” said Rev. Cherry, who is pastor of Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church and director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center in Evanston. “This arrangement will put you in the holiday spirit, with fabulous singing and music that everyone will enjoy.”