The American Spiritual Ensemble premieres a new work by Lexington native Shawn E. Okpebholo on Friday at Transylvania University as part of the city’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“God Is a God” for soprano, alto, tenor and bass is a featured work in this year’s Dorothy J. and Fred K. Smith Concert beginning at 7 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. Reserve free tickets.
Then Saturday at 2 p.m., the ASE returns to Transylvania’s Mitchell Fine Arts Center for “Broadway and All That Jazz.” Get tickets discounted through the generosity of the Smith endowment.
The internationally renowned ensemble commissioned “God Is a God” as part of the 250Lex celebration after receiving a grant from LexArts, said founder and director Everett McCorvey. “Shawn is receiving notoriety throughout the country for his beautiful and innovative arrangements and compositions.”
Okpebholo’s piece “God Is a God” is a choral adaptation of a work originally composed for Will Liverman and Paul Sánchez and featured on the Grammy-nominated album “Lord, How Come Me Here?”
“It is a simple anthem of hope — a solemn reflection of the enslaved, recalling how their unchanging God delivered others before them,” Okpebholo said of the piece. “This fervent hope is anchored in an unwavering belief that the same God will deliver them as well.”
The Lexington Philharmonic also recently commissioned him to orchestrate his work “Two Black Churches.”
In addition to “God Is a God”, Friday’s show will feature Transylvania student singers joining the American Spiritual Ensemble for a few songs. It’s a chance for the Pioneers to perform with a group known for stirring harmonies and all-around unforgettable concerts. Then for Saturday’s event, the ASE will perform soulful, reimagined Broadway hits.
The ensemble — which aims to “preserve and continue the tradition of storytelling through the performance and preservation of the American Negro spiritual” — also performed at Transylvania in 2013 and virtually for the 2021 Smith Concert. Created in 2007, the series is named in honor of alumni Dorothy J. Smith ’42 and Fred K. Smith ’40.
The upcoming ASE shows are part of the Mitchell Fine Arts Center’s inaugural professional performing arts season as well.
Other events on tap for the city’s birthday include the 250LEX College Town Showcase, when Transylvania welcomes visitors March 28 and 29 for tours, sports events and cultural offerings like the Judy Gaines Young Book Award ceremony, Special Collections visits and a senior art exhibition.