The King Celebration Concert - Watch Now

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The King Celebration Concert

Monday, January 20, 2025

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has a long history of celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an annual concert that has included Coretta Scott King, soprano Jessye Norman, and many other luminaries. The concert has been a national affair, drawing attention to the musical gifts of Atlanta and speaking to Dr. King's legacy.

Watch and listen to this year's performance that was originally recorded on January 4th at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King was the pastor. Hear the power of the combined choirs, orchestra and church band performing gospel and jazz music, along with works by contemporary Black composers. View Program Notes

This performance was sponsored by Bank of America.

Bank of America

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Gifts from people like you make it possible for the ASO to create unforgettable musical moments like these across our beloved community. We are grateful for your participation in the Annual Fund at any amount that is meaningful to you.

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Broadcasts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Be sure to catch the broadcasts on WABE FM 90.1 and GPB on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 8pm EST.

Featuring

Gregory Porter

American Singer, Songwriter and Musician

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Norman Mackenzie

Norman Mackenzie

ASO Director of Choruses

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Runnicles And Chorus Celebrate French Composers

Members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus

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And Special Guests

Honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock

Honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock

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Dr. Patrice E. Turner, M. Div

Dr. Patrice E. Turner, M. Div

Director of Worship & the Arts
Ebenezer Baptist Church

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Timothy Miller

Tenor

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Tamika Patton

Gospel Artist

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Waverly Alexander

Waverly Alexander

Violin
ASO's Talent Development Program

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Carlos Simon

Composer

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Jonathan Taylor Rush

Jonathan Taylor Rush

Conductor

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This Thursday marks our 3rd IN UNISON event of the season! This unique membership from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is the perfect way for members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect over a shared love of music. With private receptions designed to enrich the concertgoing experience, enjoy food and drinks while mingling with musicians and guest artists for an exclusive way to experience our orchestra. We have three events left this season! You can purchase single event tickets using the link in our bio. 📷 @ebschopf #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #membership #lgbtq #events

BRAVO Young Professionals is an energetic community of emerging leaders, innovators, and visionaries, aged 25-40, who are interested in connecting and enjoying music and the arts. If that sounds like you, sign-up for the event backstage after the concert on Feb. 1 for bourbon, food, conversation, and mingling with musicians. If you're a young professional who is a fan of classical music, or simply interested in being a part Atlanta's Arts community, BRAVO is for you. 🎉 Learn more about BRAVO and purchase tickets here #linkinbio #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #bravo #membership #youngprofessionals

Composer Polina Nazaykinskaya met this week's conductor Aziz Shokhakimov playing in youth orchestra together, and the two have stayed friends ever since! This week, they have joined us at Symphony Hall to perform Polina's Winter Bells as part of a scintillating program including Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Stravinsky's Petrushka. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #composer #newmusic

We've got another wild percussion setup for the concerts this weekend, and that means only one thing: Principal Percussionist Joe Petrasek is BACK with another breakdown! This one comes with 50% more trivia and a brand-new piece of official ASO lumber. Tickets are almost gone - get yours now using the link in our bio. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #percussion #stravinsky #rachmaninoff

Principal Flutist Christina Smith recently joined WABE's City Lights with Lois Reitzes to reflect on her journey with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as part of our celebration of 50 years of broadcasting on WABE. Smith discusses her impressive 34 seasons with the Orchestra, the recordings she still listens to and the legacies of Maestro Yoel Levi and Robert Spano. Full interview in the link in our bio. 📷 @randlines #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #interview #flute

Music for the Very Young classes for children under 5 with their grownups returns for Spring classes beginning March 1. Sing, move, and play with your baby, toddler or big kid during these interactive 45-minute classes offered each week by our friends at The Music Class. As an exclusive bonus, you and your child will also get the opportunity to meet some of our incredible Atlanta Symphony musicians during special meet-the-musician sessions. Open enrollment begins Monday, January 13. Use the promo code ASOMVYSP25 for a special 50% discount for classes at the Woodruff Arts Center #linkinbio #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #education #community #youngmusicians

Due to weather conditions, Friday’s performance of The Four Seasons has been rescheduled for Tue, Mar. 11. Ticket holders are encouraged to visit the link in our bio for more information. Sunday’s concert will be performed at its scheduled time, though we will continue to monitor the weather reports. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #weather #concertpostponed

2025 is going to be an amazing year of music at Symphony Hall and we want to invite you to join us with a special ticket offer! ANY seat in the house is only $39 when you purchase three or more Delta Classical concerts. With epic endeavors like The Beethoven Project on deck, there's no better time to join us! Not to mention all of the subscriber perks that you get #linkinbio #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #tickets #ticketsonsale

New year, same drip. Our horn players continue to impress with their holiday attire, the latest stylings at rehearsal for Tuesday's New Year's Eve concert at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. We can't wait to see what our musicians will be flashing for 2025! #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #newyearseve #happynewyear

Listening, learning, and playing. William Keene discovered his spark for music hearing the Atlanta Symphony on a class field trip. After that first experience, he dove into performing through taking lessons and playing with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Years later, he has turned his passion for music into his career as our Director of Annual Giving. Stories like these accentuate the value of programs that we provide for the young members of our community. And they are able to thrive because of your support. Give to the Annual Fund and keep the wonder of the arts accessible to all. First-time and increased gifts will be matched through Dec 31st. Use the link in our bio for more info. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #donate #give #happynewyear

“Rise up, follow me, come away is the call. With the love in your heart as the only song. There is no such beauty as where you belong. Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home.” We honor the memory and legacy of President Jimmy Carter, who passed away yesterday surrounded by those he loved. A true friend of ours and a passionate advocate for the arts, President Carter worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. Our Chamber Chorus was privileged to join in the celebration of President Carter’s 100th birthday earlier this year and we look back fondly on that date as we remember a truly incredible human being. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #ASOchamberchorus #presidentcarter #inmemoriam

Russell Wheeler grew up listening to the world-class music of the Atlanta Symphony. Now, as VP of Sales & Revenue Management, he has seen how we have grown from a music-making organization to one that engages the community locally and abroad with dynamic programming that fulfills people of all ages. Your gift to the Annual Fund makes all this possible. First-time and increased donations will be matched through Dec 31st! Help us continue to bring joy to all. Give today using the link in our bio. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #community #donate #happynewyear #give

As a member of our BRAVO Young Professionals membership group and now a new member of our chorus, Amy Lea has found a wonderful group of like-minded friends and an opportunity to explore her musical gifts. These programs are only possible because of your support to the Atlanta Symphony’s Annual Fund. Give your first or increased gift to our fund by Dec 31st and it will be matched! There’s never been a better time to maximize your impact #linkinbio #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #BRAVO #asochorus #givetoday #donate

Happy holidays from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra! We hope this selection from the archives featuring harpist Elisabeth Remy Johnson (@elisremyj) fills your home with cheer today as you share this special time with family and friends. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #harp #happyholidays

Our holiday concerts for 2024 are officially wrapped, which means there's only one things left to do - wish you and yours a wonderful holiday! The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is proud to have been a part of the festivities for decades and look forward to many more cherished memories created at Symphony Hall. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #holiday #happyholidays

We caught members of our Chamber Chorus in action at the 11Alive studios! This feature airs today in advance of the final broadcasts of "Christmas with the ASO" tomorrow, Christmas Day, at 11:00am and 8:00pm. Thank you for letting us be a part of your holiday plans! #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #holiday #christmaswiththeaso #happyholidays #asochamberchorus

Our new Assistant Conductor Finan Jones is almost as excited to be here as we are to have him join us this season! Hailing from London, England, Finan took some time to share with us some cherished holiday traditions he holds from across the pond, his win for 2024, and something he hopes Americans will get excited for in the new year. #atlantasymphonyorchestra #orchestra #newmusician #qanda #happyholidays