Juneteenth Gospel Concert

The Jacksonville Gospel Chorale presents the Southeastern premiere of M. Roger Holland’s new mass, Voice of My People at St. John’s Cathedral.

Saturday, June 15
5 p.m.
St. John’s Cathedral
Reception following in Taliaferro Hall

A ground-breaking Mass setting, Voice of My People explores the various ways in which musical genres within the African diaspora articulate the cultural expressions of Blackness. Composer M. Roger Holland II has unified the various parts of the Mass not with a melodic motif, but with the understanding that Black people are not monolithic in their understanding of self or cultural expression.

Each Mass movement highlights a different musical style reflecting the African diaspora: gospel, jazz, chant, reggaetón, Afro-Cuban music, and R&B. The Sanctus (Mtakatifu) is set in Kiswahili to represent African language and culture. A truly beautiful expression of the diversity of the Black Church!