Ordway

Marlissa Hudson as Marian Anderson
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Jon Cranney, director
Philip Brunelle, conductor

VocalEssence celebrates the legacy of Marian Anderson (1897–1993), celebrated African American contralto. In 1939, after being refused permission to perform at Constitutional Hall, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt helped Marian Anderson arrange a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She sang for more than 75,000 people and to a radio audience of millions.

Marian Anderson’s undeniable talent made her a force more powerful than the discriminatory norms of that time. Jon Cranney will direct this semi-staged performance featuring soprano  Marlissa Hudson, actress Greta Oglesby and the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers. It is a stunning story that every American should experience first-hand.

 “As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might.”  — Marian Anderson

www.vocalessence.org