SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 7:30 P.M., cathedral nave. Reserve tickets here ($20–35). Co-sponsored by Abbey Arts, Saint Mark’s Cathedral, and the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
“What movement could begin, what conversation could take the stage, if everything else got out of the way? This Concert for the Human Family event is an inspiring collaborative between award-winning musicians and church leaders who believe in the power of music and storytelling to foster Beloved Community. Experience genre-bending original music that bridges jazz, hip-hop and bluegrass, performed by a multicultural team led by Nashville pianist and composer Kory Caudill and hip-hop artist Wordsmith. All woven with sacred stories to launch conversation around reconciliation, healing and justice in the communities we call home. It’s the power of music, for the sake of love.”
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences named the first Concert for the Human Family webcast as an honoree in the Event and Live Stream Video category in the 26th Annual Webby Awards in April 2022.
From the Concert for the Human Family website:
From its earliest days, the Church has drawn people together across boundaries in order to live into a dream bigger than any of us – the dream of God. Gathered in sacred spaces alive with creativity, awe, and wonder the Church has evoked, inspired, and even commissioned some of humanity’s greatest artistic works. Sacred spaces offer an invitation. Something that stirs within us as we gaze at the stories told through stained glass, marvel at architectural feats, or get lost in our own imaginations as beautiful music washes over us.
But the Church does not exist simply as a museum to display impressive pieces, nor is it merely a concert hall for inspired performances. When the Church is truly alive, her voice echoes far beyond the cathedral walls – spilling out and rippling through the community and the world. That strong, powerful and beautiful voice does not exist to sing the praises of the Church’s beauty nor of its power. Rather, the Church serves as a voice for the voiceless, mightily proclaiming the message of love, peace, welcome, sanctuary, and hope.
It is from this place of holy calling that the Church echoes, again and again, the poetic and powerful words of our common prayers – prayers to God, for each other and ourselves, and for all of creation. Indeed, prayers for our whole human family.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Prayer for the Human Family from The Book of Common Prayer
At this intersection – between great art and a powerful voice for all people – is the foundation of a new project we’re calling A Concert for the Human Family. We’ve been dreaming around the question, “What could happen, what movement could begin, what conversation could be started or amplified, if our churches and cathedral spaces once again rang out with the promise and hope and power of Good News?” ....
Read the rest here,
Check out this series of interesting Behind the Scenes videos.
More information about the artists can be found below. Reserve tickets here, and view a brief trailer:
Kory Caudill: www.KoryCaudill.com
“A rising star whose music marries folk, Americana and more.” Keyboard Magazine
Performer, producer and industry executive are just some of the roles that multi-faceted musician Kory Caudill inhabits on a daily basis. From his past touring work with famed country artist Justin Moore, to his own chart-topping solo releases and acclaimed live shows, the Nashville-based keyboardist and entrepreneur is charing a compelling course that’s all his own. And his singular sound and string of successes can be traced straight back to his Appalachian roots.
“I was born and raised in rural Kentucky,” Caudill says. “And while both of my grandparents were career coal miners, musical roots run deep through my family. My grandmother and great grandfather were well-known Gospel musicians in their communities. They lived in a region that was isolated from just about all modern conveniences, but that helped to preserve its culture. In fact, I still regularly use a cymbal on recording sessions that my great-grandfather fashioned by hand to use in church services. Also, my mom is a retired music teacher and my dad is a great keyboardist and he helped bring modern music technology to rural Kentucky. I’m sure that my ability to wear a variety of musical hats comes from my family.”
Wordsmith: wordsmithmusic.com
WORDSMITH IS A SONGWRITER, PERFORMER, ENTREPRENEUR AND PHILANTHROPIST FROM BALTIMORE, MD.
IN 2009 HE OPENED HIS INDEPENDENT LABEL NU REVOLUTION ENTERTAINMENT AND SINCE ITS INCEPTION; DISTRIBUTION AND LICENSING DEALS WITH INGROOVES, UNITED MASTERS, REDEYE, AND APM MUSIC HELPED THE COMPANY FLOURISH!
WORDSMITH HAS RELEASED 8 ALBUMS OVER HIS CAREER, EARNED WINNER OF BEST RAP/HIP ALBUM FOR PERSPECTIVE JUKEBOX AT THE 16TH INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS AND HAS BEEN A GRAMMY VOTING MEMBER SINCE 2017. HIS MUSIC HAS BEEN FEATURED ON PROMINENT NETWORKS AND SHOWS LIKE RUSSIAN DOLL (NETFLIX), UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT (NETFLIX), PREACHER (AMC), SKAM FRANCE (UK TV), NBA 2K21 NEXT GEN AND MORE!
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