Chamber Series: Castle of our Skins – Love and Justice

Our Chamber Series presents “Castle of Our Skins: Love and Justice,” Saturday, March 30.

This portrait concert, set for 7 p.m. at the BMC, features the music of Adolphus Hailstork, and includes such works as Deep River Rhapsody for String Quartet, Who is Sylvia, Sanctum Rhapsody for Viola and Piano, String Quartet No. 2, Variations on Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and Summer. Life. Song.

Hailstork has written numerous works for chorus, solo voice, piano, organ, various chamber ensembles, band, orchestra, and opera. Among his early compositions are “Celebration,” recorded by the Detroit Symphony in 1976;  “Out of the Depths” (1977), and “American Guerinca” (1983), are two band works which won national competitions. “Consort Piece” (1995), commissioned by the Norfolk (VA) Chamber Ensemble was awarded first prize by the University of Delaware Festival of Contemporary Music.

“We’re excited to return to the BMC and not only highlight the music of one of our favorite composers, but literally bring him along for the ride,” notes Castle of our Skins’ Artistic Director and violist Ashleigh Gordon. “Adolphus is a prolific composer with a joyful spirit and truly inviting energy to be around.”

Community members are invited to meet the composer at a pre-concert talk with Adolphus Hailstork at 6:15 p.m. at the BMC. Seats for this free talk are first-come, first-served!

Performers include Matthew Vera and Mina Lavcheva, violin; Ashleigh Gordon, viola; Jing Li, cello; Sarah Bob, piano; and Brianna Robinson, soprano.

Born out of the desire to foster cultural curiosity, Castle of our Skins is a concert and educational series dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music. From classrooms to concert halls, Castle of our Skins invites exploration into ​Black heritage and culture, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated ​figures of past and present.