Announcing the 2010-2011 Season

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Spiritual Ensemble, Nathan L. Nelson Music Director, announces an exciting array of musical programs in celebration of the ‘spiritual.’ The 2010-2011 season will feature unique holiday events, a Martin Luther King tribute, the Charleston international Festival of Choirs, and tribute performances honoring the famed Fisk University Jubilee Singers with special guest soloist soprano Roberta Laws and Fisk Alumni Jubilee Singers from around the U.S. The season concludes with a Mid-Atlantic tour of Williamsburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, Arlington VA and Washington DC in July 2011.

Founded in 2008, the 35-member CSO Spiritual Ensemble honors the “spiritual,” the historical musical form born of the suffering and endurance of African slaves after arriving to the southern shores of this country. This season the group will also debut the CSO Spiritual Ensemble Chorale, a smaller 16 member group performing for private and special events throughout the region. 

A long-time dream of its founder and President Lee Pringle, the CSO Spiritual Ensemble performs in church settings, concert stages and beyond, in powerful performances celebrating the unique, indigenous harmonies that helped form African-American cultural traditions.

"This season promises to be our most ambitious. CSO Spiritual Ensemble audiences will hear many of our talented vocalists and special guests in programs that promises to leave them wanting more.” said Ensemble Music Director Nathan L. Nelson. “I’m also thrilled to present classic selections by John Work III, Nathaniel Dett, Jester Harrison and many more noted African-American composers this season."

The CSO Spiritual Ensemble 2010-2011 season will be presented from November 2010–June 2011 at various church settings across the Charleston area with a tour of Virginia cities and Washington DC in July 2011.

2010-2011 Season Highlights

The CSO Spiritual Ensemble opens its season in Charleston with Spiritual Christmas Thanksgiving weekend November 27-28 in two church venues. Saturday, November 27 will also feature the Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry and the Royal Missionary Baptist Church Choir and special soloists.  A special matinee choral version Sunday, November 28 at 3pm takes place at the Historic Bethel United Methodist Church, downtown Charleston.

Not to be missed on Saturday, January 15: a moving musical portrait honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Royal Missionary Baptist Church, North Charleston entitled In His Own Words.  This free performance will feature spirituals, orchestra and actual sound footage from four of his major civil rights speeches.

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, the Ensemble celebrates its third anniversary with a very special event entitled Circa 1871: An Ode to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers highlighting four segments of the Jubilee Singers legacy. This concert event will also feature alumni members of this illustrious group.

Spring 2011 ushers in the Third Annual Charleston International Festival of Choirs, a free three-day festival featuring vocal ensembles from across the U.S., Canada and Europe performing in stunning settings and concluding with a dramatic combined Massed Sing performance under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Jeffrey Ames, Belmont University on Saturday April 9, 2011.

Finally, the CSO Spiritual Ensemble returns to Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival on June 4, 2011 with a repeat performance of the Circa 1871: An Ode to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers.

CSO Spiritual Ensemble Tickets and Information

Single tickets $20-$25 adults - $10 for students with proper identification
Purchase online
By phone: (866) 811-4111; Mon-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm (Eastern Time)
At door: (cash or check only) up to one hour before each performance