Mark Billy, frequent musician at our church, will be featured with the OKC Philharmonic

Concert Details

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Kirsten C. Kunkle, soprano
Mark Billy, baritone
Canterbury Voices

• LESHNOFF: Elegy

• STRAVINSKY: The Firebird: Suite (1919)

• TATE: American Indian Symphony (World Premiere)

Run Time: Approx. 120 minutes

Funding for this concert and the American Indian Symphony project is made possible through the generous support of Express Employment Professionals, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chickasaw Nation, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in partnership with dedicated donors, and Mr. John Walker.

Guest Artists

Kirsten C. Kunkle, soprano

Mark Billy, baritone

NOTES FROM THE MAESTRO

“This season, we are proud to continue our Oklahoma Stories with a historic first: an American Indian Symphony. The composer is Oklahoma’s own Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, a citizen of the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation. His American Indian Symphony is structured in six sections, each representing one of the six regions of Native Americans in North America and sung in six different Native American languages.

The evening will begin with a brief musical prayer in honor of the Oklahoma City bombing, featuring Jonathan Leshnoff’s Elegy, a deeply moving work of reflection.

Additionally, we’ll present Stravinsky’s Firebird. When I asked Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate about his inspiration to become a composer, he mentioned his mother’s influence in teaching ballet, which sparked his love for the great ballet scores. It felt fitting to include one of the best.

Join us for this unique and meaningful evening celebrating a rich cultural heritage!”