“The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout” Debuts via ALL ARTS Streaming Today!!!

“The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout”, conceived and directed by Jonathan McCrory of National Black Theatre, to debut on streaming via ALL ARTS starting June 18th!!!

Through orchestral, choral, gospel, and soul choral music, this one-night-only event was the signature celebration for the Kennedy Center’s Conflux partnership with National Black Theatre (NBT).

“The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout” served as a sonic quest produced by National Black Theatre and The Apollo.

Taking place in the Opera House at the Kennedy Center, “The Gathering” centered the soul of Black folks and the heart of America’s brilliant and bitter present.

With creative concept and direction by NBT’s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, and featuring 80 members of the American Composers Orchestra, conducted by Chelsea Tipton, II and 48 members of NEWorks Voices of Inspiration chorale under the leadership of Nolan Williams, Jr., the evening also featured the DC premiere of “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” by Joel Thompson alongside Carlos Simon’s “Amen!” and Courtney Bryan’s “Sanctum”.

In conjunction with these pieces, the night was curated in the African tradition of call and response and included original works by genre-defying Black artists such as Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Troy Anthony, and Nona Hendryx.

“The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout” was originally performed to a sold out audience at The Apollo in Harlem, New York 2022 and is available now to stream via ALL ARTS!!!