“It’s not unusual to hear gospel music in East Side Baptist churches,” writes Nancy A. Fischer in Tuesday’s (1/17) Buffalo News. “But hearing that same music coming from a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra quartet is a little more out of the ordinary. The BPO Diversity Council wants to change that perception. To that end, the string quartet performed three gospel songs during services Sunday at two predominantly African-American churches, Friendship Baptist and First Shiloh Baptist…. Said Otis N. Glover, Diversity Council co-chairman, … ‘We heard from members and children that said they didn’t know (the BPO) could play that kind of music and they were very surprised and happy.’ … This is not the first time that the BPO visited area churches…. But Sunday was the first time members have performed in churches under the auspices of the Diversity Council, which was created last year…. With the council … the BPO is formalizing, expanding and raising awareness of what it already has been doing.” The orchestra will perform at two other Buffalo churches this Sunday, and on March 4, the Diversity Council will host a reception with community leaders, following a concert featuring music of Nat King Cole.
Posted January 18, 2017
