The American Spiritual Ensemble

At St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth nh

Sunday, April 7 @ 3:00pm

St. John’s Episcopal Church presents The American Spiritual Ensemble live in concert at 3pm on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Admission $30 suggested donation available to purchase online, or at the door.

the mission of the American Spiritual Ensemble is to preserve and continue the tradition of storytelling through the performance and preservation of the American negro spiritual. Performing these spirituals serves as a tribute to the many lives lost or destroyed during slavery in the United States; a horrible time for human kind. These songs, a combination of African, American, and European traditions, create a new type of melody in which a sense of identification was created within the enslaved community. These songs, beloved all around the world, now stand as a testament of the strength found through faith during times of hardship as well as a unifying force among all peoples.

Source: www.americanspiritualensemble.com/about-ase

LEARN MORE

ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF ASE, AND THEIR MISSION

click the video below

The importance of Portsmouth hosting a concert like this, in these times, is great. We have an opportunity within our community to bring a world-class choir whose mission of preserving and performing American Negro Spirituals fills a widening deficiency in the truth-telling of our nation’s history through these sung narratives. We read regularly in the news of the ways in which historical truths are being minimized and worse, silenced through overreaching legislation as well as fear mongering.

We know in our souls that these stories shall not be intentionally held back from future generations by the misdoings of those seeking to mollify their own ignorance or guilt. We must face the truth: our American story — complicated and problematic though it is — is full of truths and stories worth learning, remembering, and retelling — so as not to lose them.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

– George Santayana

Presenting sponsorship opportunity

This performance was made possible in part by parishioners of St. John’s, and several community partners. If you or your business are interested in learning more about becoming a presenting sponsor for this, or future special music events, please reach out directly to Olin Johannessen.