• Harriet Tubman Oratorio

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On February 11, 2024, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, partnering with the National Civil Rights Museum, performed the Harriet Tubman Oratorio. The quotes of Harriet Tubman came to life in an oratorio by critically-acclaimed Black American composer, Earnestine Rodgers Robinson who is renowned for her Carnegie Hall oratorio premieres. The three part oratorio tells of Harriet Tubman’s birth into slavery, her undying struggle to be free and her ultimate joy in living to see the abolition of slavery. Watch the concert below…

Conducting was Kyle Dickson, and the chorus was comprised of singers from the Memphis Symphony Chorus, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Opera Memphis, White Station High School, Cordova High School, and University Middle School (children's chorus). Video of the concert is courtesy of Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS).
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Cry of the People
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrator: Michelle McKissack
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
The Lord is My Shepherd
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Thy Faithfulness
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Trust Him
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Soloist: Tanisha Ward
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Song of Harriet
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrator: Michelle McKissack
Soloist: Tanisha Ward
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Thou Art My God
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrator: Janice Greene (Harriet)
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
The Lord is My Light
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Soloists: Marquita Richardson, Gavin Wigginson
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Gloria
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
'Twas the Lord
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Soloist: Marquita Richardson
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Fear Not
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Soloist: Gavin Wigginson
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Children's Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Let My People Go!
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Soloist: Marcus King
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Courtesy of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Great is His Name
Composer: Earnestine Rodgers Robinson
Arranger/Orchestrator: Heather Sorenson
Narrators: Michelle McKissack, Janice Greene (Harriet)
Conductor: Kyle Dickson
Performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus