American Spiritual Ensemble Returns to Salisbury Saturday, September 17

SALISBURY, MD---Created in the fields and plantation houses of the old South, the spiritual allowed slaves to secretly communicate through singing.

That musical art form returns to Salisbury Saturday, September 17, as the American Spiritual Ensemble performs 7:30 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Back by popular demand, the world-renowned singing group, which last performed in Salisbury in February 2015 to a sold-out house and standing ovations, includes Salisbury University music faculty Dr. John Wesley Wright.

Founded by Dr. Everett McCorvey in 1995, the Ensemble strives to keep the tradition of American Negro spirituals alive. It has performed throughout the world, including such prestigious venues as the Metropolitan and New York City operas. It also has been broadcast as part of the PBS documentary The Spirituals and performed in Ireland for the national celebration of the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s historic 1963 visit to that country.

Sponsored by SU’s Music, Theatre and Dance Department, the concert is held in conjunction with the traveling exhibit “Ruth Starr Rose (1887-1965): Revelations of African American Life in Maryland and the World."

An initiative of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore, the exhibit is on display at the University Gallery of Fulton Hall at SU through October 29, and at the Thompson Gallery of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture at SU’s Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons through December 2. Gallery admission is free.

Admission to the concert is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors age 60 and older, $10 for SU faculty and staff, $5 for non-SU students. SU student ID holders receive one ticket free. Advance tickets are available at the Guerrieri University Center Information Desk and Asbury United Methodist Church, or online at www.salisbury.edu/performingarts.

For more information call 410-543-6228 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu/.