Georgia Symphony: You Shall Hear

• Okorie Johnson, cello
• Timothy Harper, tenor
• Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus

The GSO Classic Series is proud to present: “You Shall Hear…” a concert experience celebrating renowned black composers.

The concert will feature Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s celebrated cantata, Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, and Concert Overture No. 2 by Florence Price. Liminal: An Atlanta Concerto co-written by GSO Music Director Timothy Verville and guest artist, cellist and songwriter Okorie "OkCello" Johnson, will premiere at the event. This concert presents a unique opportunity to listen to voices that have been historically under-amplified and to hear from new voices that are crossing genres to tell the Black experience in new and exciting ways. The GSO Chorus, led by Music Director Bryan Black and soloist Timothy Harper, will join the orchestra for this trail-blazing performance.

"You Shall Hear…" will also feature the You Shall See Marketplace, a lobby experience highlighting black-owned businesses and artisans. It will be open sixty minutes prior to the performance at 2pm. It will then reopen again for thirty minutes after the concert has concluded.

About Georgia Symphony Orchestra

For over seven decades, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra has engaged audiences through imaginative programming, visionary leadership, and critically acclaimed performances. The standard of musicianship and artistry at every concert continues to be recognized and admired! The GSO is made up of: GSO Orchestra, Jazz, Chorus, & GYSO youth ensembles.

About Okorie Johnson, cello

Okorie “OkCello” Johnson is an American cellist-songwriter whose artistry integrates cello performance, live-sound-looping, improvisation, and storytelling - all culminating in original compositions that collide classical with jazz, EDM, reggae, and funk.

His music is inspired by the exploration of African Diasporic melodies and narratives and their intersection with people’s perceptions and assumptions about the classical and European nature of the cello. As well, his work with improvisation attempts to embody the phenomenon of wordless prayer.

About Timothy Harper, tenor

Marietta native and founding member of the Georgia Spiritual Ensemble Timothy Harper made his opera debut as Thomas in the world premiere performance of Zabette. Other roles consist of; Second Man in Armor in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Judge Danforth in Miller's The Crucible, and recently Don Jose in Bizet's Carmen in Rome Italy. He holds degrees from Kennesaw State University (Bachelor's of Music in Opera Performance) and Georgia State University (Masters of Music in Opera Performance).

He has won numerous honors throughout the state and South Eastern region. Mr. Harper has been featured as a soloist with the Ludwig Symphony Orchestra as well as the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Other featured works include: Handel's Messiah, Bach's Magnificat, Shubert's Mass in G, Mozart's Coronation Mass, and Requiem to name a few.

About Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Encompassing a wide range of vocal versatility, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus performs choral/orchestral works and pops, while also producing independent choral concerts. Highlights from recent seasons include performing choral masterworks with the Georgia Symphony, GSO Jazz! at the Strand Theatre, a sold-out concert of music from the video game The Legend of Zelda, and a historic regional premiere of American music.

Comprised of accomplished vocalists from the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, performances have included Mahler's Second Symphony, Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony, Orff's Carmina Burana, Haydn's The Creation, and Verdi's Te Deum. The ensemble has also presented state, regional, and world premieres.

Founded in 2007, and directed by Bryan Black, the chorus has performed with the Morehouse College Glee Club, the Spelman College Glee Club, the Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers, and the Georgia Spiritual Ensemble.