Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
John Morris Russell, conductor, Common, guest artist, Capathia Jenkins, vocalist
Classical Roots Community Mass Choir
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 29
Music Hall
Tickets start at $25 in advance, ($10 for children 17 and under)
More information and tickets available by calling: (513) 381-3300 or visiting www.cincinnatisymphony.org
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra announces that acclaimed hip-hop recording artist, actor, film producer and poet Common will be performing at its annual Classical Roots concert at Music Hall on Friday, April 29. With a slew of awards to his name, including three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and multiple BET Awards, Common’s career has spanned across three decades. He has collaborated musically with such artists as John Legend, Kanye West and Lauryn Hill. In addition to other planned concert highlights, Common will perform “Glory” from the movie Selma, for which he won an Oscar in 2015 and a Grammy in 2016. Capathia Jenkins, who most recently electrified crowds during the Cincinnati Pops “I’m Every Woman” concert in January, also lends her powerhouse vocals to the program, conducted by John Morris Russell.
The Classical Roots Community Mass Choir, which is comprised of over 100 singers representing dozens of area churches and rehearses with several local music ministers, returns as a staple for the annual concert, as will the CSYO Nouveau Chamber Players which features talented African American student musicians who are nurtured through the CSO’s education programs. While exact program details will be announced at a later date, the multi-genre concert will again include elements from the classical tradition as well as gospel, R&B and spirituals, all celebrating the rich African-American musical heritage and bringing together friends and neighbors for a shared concert experience.
Classical Roots started as a program performed by the CSO in churches throughout the region and moved to the Orchestra’s home at Music Hall in 2011 where it has taken place ever since.
Tickets for this concert are $25-55 for adults and $10 for children under 17. They can be purchased by visiting or calling the CSO Box Office at (513) 381-3300 or visiting www.cincinnatisymphony.org.
Common’s appearance is underwritten by Jeffrey & Jody Lazarow and Janie & Peter Schwartz Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The CSO is grateful to Presenting Sponsor World Pac Paper; Community Impact Sponsor the Fifth Third Bank Foundation; Chorus Sponsor Kroger Company; Youth Education Ticket Sponsor CES/LINK Fund, in partnership with The Cincinnati Chapter of The Links, Inc., housed at The Greater Cincinnati Foundation; Artist Sponsors Mercy Health and Stone Financial Retirement Planning; Show Sponsors Interact for Health and Macy’s; Benefactor Sponsors Diversified Facility Solutions, Megen Construction, Susan Friedlander; Patron Sponsor Joyce and Howard Thompson; Community Sponsors American Red Cross Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region, Details2Decor, Onyx Sourcing Solutions, Vocalink, Voice of Your Customer; Artistic Partner The Cincinnati May Festival. Classical Roots is a presentation of Sound Discoveries: Music for the Community and is made possible in part thanks to The Corbett Educational Endowment established by Mrs. Patricia Corbett and The Corbett Foundation.
