The internationally celebrated American Spiritual Ensemble returns to Transylvania University later this month for two concerts.
The singers present the annual Dorothy J. and Fred K. Smith Concert on Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium with powerful renditions of gospel and African American spirituals. The next afternoon, they perform “Broadway and All That Jazz.”
Reserve free tickets to the Smith Concert — and tickets to “Broadway and All That Jazz,” discounted through the generosity of the Dorothy J. and Fred K. Smith Endowment.
The Smith Concert Series has been drawing a wide variety of acclaimed musicians to campus for nearly two decades — from the Kronos Quartet to Eileen Ivers to Nobuntu.
For the March 21 installment, Transylvania singers will be joining the American Spiritual Ensemble in a few songs. It’s a chance for the students to perform with a group known for soul-stirring harmonies and all-around unforgettable concerts. Then on Saturday, March 22, the ensemble will sing soulful, reimagined Broadway hits at 2 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium.
The group 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 concerts are part of the Mitchell Fine Arts Center’s inaugural professional performing arts season as well.
Also on tap in MFA this month, the renowned dancers of “A Taste of Ireland” take the stage on Saint Patrick’s Day weekend, Saturday, March 15, and the band Scythian, acclaimed for its Celtic, Appalachian and Eastern European roots music, performs on the holiday itself, Monday, March 17. Get tickets to both shows.