André J Thomas: Lift Every Voice

André J Thomas, one of the world’s greatest experts in choral music, unites the voices of gospel and community choirs from across London in a celebration of African-American gospel, spiritual and classical music to nourish the soul.

Steadily rising like a cloud of voices, Roland Carter’s joyous Lift Every Voice and Sing kicks off an uplifting evening of music blending the powerful resonance of gospel and spirituals with the vibrant sound of the LSO. Symphonic gospel shapes the first half, featuring Dett's Ave Maria and Hailstork's cantata I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes dedicated to Undine Smith Moore – a champion of African American music and known as the 'Dean of Black Women Composers'.

The musical journey continues with spirituals like Shine the Light and Get on Board Little Children, music from well-known Broadway orchestrator Joseph Joubert, songs from gospel legend Raymond Wise, and arrangements by Thomas himself. This is ‘music at its freshest and most life-affirming' (Richard Bratby) that has the power to communicate with us all. As Thomas puts it: ‘when you sing this music … it's about ministering to the soul’.