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Penn Park Free Community Concert
Venue: Penn Park
2101 Fisher St, Madison, WI
Saturday, June 24, 2023
4:00 p.m.
Admission: This concert is free and open to the public.
A free community event!
Join the Madison Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with Tamera and Leotha Stanely, the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, and Associate Conductor Kyle Knox for a FREE community concert on Saturday, June 24 at 4:00 p.m.! Bring the family and plenty of water and sunscreen. Food trucks will be on site beginning at 2:30 p.m. but feel free to bring a picnic as well. We’ll also be giving away MSO t-shirts and tickets to our 23/24 season concerts. We can’t wait to see you at this exciting summer event!
¡Concierto Comunitario GRATUITO en el Parque Penn el sábado 24 de junio a las 4:00 p.m.!
¡Acompañe a la Orquestra Sinfónica de Madison en colaboración con Tamera y Leotha Stanley, el Mt. Zion Coro Evangélico, y el Conductor Asociado Kyle Knox para un concierto comunitario GRATUITO! Traiga a su familia y un picnic para este evento de verano emocionante. Nosotros también tendremos carritos de comida en el sitio!
Kev Xaj Dias Hu Nkauj Uas Qhib Dawb Rau Pej Xeem Ob Cag Ntawm Qhov Chaw Penn Park Community Concert nyob rau hnub Saturday, Lub 6 Hl Ntuj tim 24 thaum 4:00 p.m.!
Thov caw koj tuaj mus koom kev lom zem xaj dia hu nkauj uas yog qhib dawb rau sawv daws saib. Cov pej xeem uas tsa kom muaj lub koom txoos lom zem no yog Madison Symphony Orchestra, Tamera thiab Leotha Stanley, nrog rau Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, thiab Associate Conductor Kyle Knox! Coj koj tsev neeg tuaj koom thiab tsim kom muaj ib pluas mov picnic nyob rau lub koom txoos lom zem hauv lub caij ntuj sov no. Peb kuj yuav muaj cov tsheb thauj zaub mov nyob rau qhov chaw ntawv.
FAQ
When can I arrive?
Claim your spot on the lawn beginning at 2:30 p.m.!
What can I bring?
Ideas include blankets, lawn chairs, a picnic lunch, outside food or beverages (no glass containers, please), sunscreen, hats, and water.
Will food and drink be available?
Yes! We will have three food trucks on site:
KC Taste Asian Cuisine, 2:30-5:30
Taquitos Marimar, 2:30-5:30
Kona Ice, 3:30-5:30
Are there any age restrictions?
No! Bring the whole family to enjoy the afternoon with us!
Will the concert have an intermission?
No. The concert will last approximately one hour, from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
What if it rains?
The rain date is Sunday, June 25. If inclement weather is in the forecast, we will announce a decision by 10:00 a.m. on June 24 on this webpage and via our social media and email channels.
How can I get there?
Refer to the map below for more information! (click on the image to enlarge)
If arriving by car, we encourage carpooling if possible. There are several options for parking:
-Village on Park’s parking lot, 2300 S Park Street. There will be crossing guards available to help cross Park Street at Buick Street.
-Park Bank’s parking lot, 2401 S Park Street.
-There is also neighborhood street parking available.
You can also take a Madison city bus to the South Transfer Point — Penn Park is just a 10 minute walk away. Note that routes have recently changed; visit Madison Metro Transit’s website for more information.
Program
Antonín Dvořák, American Suite in A major, Movement I
Florence Price, Symphony No. 1, Movements III & IV
Giuseppe Verdi, Overture to La forza del destino
William Grant Still, Symphony No. 1, Movement III
Aaron Copland, Dance Episodes from Rodeo, Movements III & IV
Timothy Wright/Leotha Stanley, Trouble Don’t Always Last
Jill Jackson/Leotha Stanley, Let There be Peace on Earth
Orlanda Draper/Leotha Stanley, Praise the Lord Everybody
Featuring
Kyle Knox, Associate Conductor
Mount Zion Gospel Choir, Tamera and Leotha Stanley, Directors
Meet the Performers
Kyle Knox, Conducting
Mount Zion Gospel Choir
Concert Sponsors
Barbara and Norm Berven
Media Sponsor
In-Kind Donors
Under the direction of Leotha (Lee) and Tamera Stanley, the Mt Zion Gospel Choir is known for its ability to infuse traditional gospel harmonies with vigor, joy, and inspiration. With a reputation as one of the best gospel choirs in Wisconsin, the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir have wowed Madison residents for decades with their vocal precision and exuberant style. For over thirty years, the choir has combined jazz, blues, and gospel harmonies to “raise the roof” in captivating and inspiring performances throughout Wisconsin.
The choir has been a beloved featured guest of the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concerts for 17 years. The choir has also appeared recently with the UW-Madison Marching Band, in a concert for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and in tours in both Germany and France. They have sung with music legends Michael Bolton, Yolanda Adams, Lyle Lovett, and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
The Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin serves as home base for the choir. Additional choirs at Mt. Zion include a women’s choir, men’s choir, and children’s choir. Leotha Stanley has been the musical director for thirty-four years and considers gospel music “first love.” He comments, “I love gospel music. I love the inspiration and message it gives people.”
Stanley began playing piano and drums at age five and became the pianist at his neighborhood church in Milwaukee at age thirteen. He recalls, “I got $10 for every funeral.” As a freshman at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he founded a gospel choir, which became his path to Mt. Zion.