ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY PRESENTS
A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS,
11TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
UNITING REGIONAL CHOIRS AND CONGREGATIONS,
DECEMBER 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 31, 2024) – Ensemble Arts Philly presents its annual holiday tradition, A Soulful Christmas, led by Creator and Director, Dr. J. Donald Dumpson, inside Marian Anderson Hall on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
A Soulful Christmas brings together some of the area’s finest church and community choirs for a night of soul-stirring music, spoken word, and movement. Creator and Director Dr. J. Donald Dumpson returns to lead the inspiring, uplifting gathering of regional choristers and clergy, sharing holiday spirituals, gospel favorites, and inspirational messages of good-will. This year, the event will honor Ricky Dillard, who will be performing a few of his best-known songs alongside the participating bands and choirs. The program culminates in a spectacular closing to the evening with a visually mesmerizing “Finale of Lights”.
“A Soulful Christmas is a yearly celebration of unity, love, and the transcendent power of music,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO. “This one-night-only event, bringing together 14 regional congregations into one mass choir, reminds us of our profound human connection, and Philadelphia’s extraordinary sense of community.”
Participants include A.M.E. Mass Choir, Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Citywide Praise Dancers, Deliverance Evangelistic Church, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Front Line Singers, Gospel Music Preservation Alliance House Band, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, PA C.O.G.I.C. Mass Choir, Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir, Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, and Youth Mass Choir. Sharing dynamic spoken words are Reverend Carolyn Cavaness, Bishop Guy Glimp, Reverend Donald D. Moore, Reverend Blane Newberry, and Pastor Glen Spaulding.
The 2024 honoree, Ricky Dillard, or “The Choir Master,” has been a force in gospel music since his first recording in 1990, and since then has been ensuring that the legacy of gospel choir music continues to have a strong presence in the music. He is a six-time Grammy nominee and winner of 11 Stellar Awards, two Dove Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and countless other awards and honors. Ricky Dillard continues to push the mark with chart breaking music, along with his energetic choir New Generation Chorale, known as “New G.” Read the full bio here.
A Soulful Christmas 2024 will be hosted by Patty Jackson (WDAS 105.3 FM) and Craig Hayes (WIMG, 1300 Trenton, NJ).
Other featured holiday offerings include Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (November 26 – December 1, 2024); The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show (December 1, 2024); Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday Featuring the McLendon Family (December 23, 2024); and a lively collection of concerts with The Philadelphia Orchestra including Children's Holiday Spectacular (December 7, 2024); Yannick's Holiday Mixtape in Concert (December 12 – 13, 2024); The Glorious Sound of Christmas® (December 14 – 15, 2024); Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert (December 18 – 19, 2024); Messiah (December 21 – 22, 2024); and New Year's Eve Celebration (December 31, 2024).
Tickets
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See www.ensembleartsphilly.org for more information.
A Soulful Christmas
Marian Anderson Hall
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
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A Soulful Christmas is generously sponsored by PECO.
The Family Discovery Series (including Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Children’s Holiday Spectacular, and Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert) is sponsored by Dietz & Watson.
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ABOUT ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY
For more information about ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.
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For photography, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.smugmug.com
Click here for a PDF version of this press release.
Press Contacts:
Lauren A. Woodard Hall
484-832-1963
Hannah Palermo
267-765-3724