Hear the sounds of the past 50 years of Gospel Music that had a major influence on the Civil Rights Movement.  Conductor Dr. Henry Panion, producer of two Grammy and two Dove awards, will lead the orchestra with his own gospel arrangements. Dr. Panion is best known for his work as a conductor and arranger for Stevie Wonder and has conducted and/or arranged for CeCe Winans, Aretha Franklin, The Blind Boys of Alabama, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and American Idol winners Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard.

About the conductor

Dr. Henry Panion III is most known for his work as conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder. Together, they performed throughout the world, England, France Japan, Germany, Australia, England, Brazil, USA and many more.  Dr. Panion conducts his arrangements of many of Stevie Wonder’s award-winning, chart-topping sings on the CD “Natural Wonder” with the Tokyo Philharmonic.

He is the creative force behind Gospel Goes Classical (GGC) featuring Juanita Bynum, Jonathan Butler, the GGC Symphony Orchestra and Choir, Dr. Panion made history topping the Billboard charts on both the Gospel and Classical Crossover Charts simultaneously. Other artists Dr. Panion has worked with include The Winans, Chet Atkins, Eugenia Zuckerman, Aretha Franklin, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chaka Khan, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and American Idol winners Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard. Two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and a host of other national music awards and nominations have been bestowed on Dr. Panion as a producer, composer, arranger, and orchestrator

Dr. Panion’s own works are programmed throughout the United States by many of this country’s major orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Cleveland Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, and the National Symphony. A select list of other orchestras performing Dr. Panion’s works includes San Antonio, Nova Scotia, Columbus, Charlotte, San Diego, Louisville, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Arkansas, Jacksonville, Alabama, and the former Birmingham Metropolitan Orchestra, for which he served as Music Director from 1995-1997.

About the chorus master

Kent Brooks, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, is a BMI-affiliated composer who was twice the recipient of the Waljo Gospel Music Award.  In 1999, he performed the theme for the Special Olympics World Games, Let Your Dreams Take Flight.  His Fanfare for Celina opened the inaugural International Igor Stravinsky Festival at UNC-Chapel Hill.  For the past three seasons, Kent has prepared and conducted the GSO’s Community Gospel Choir.. Kent has worked with many music notables in various genres including: gospel artists Kurt Carr, Blanche McAllister Eddie Robinson, Charisse Nelson-McIntosh, Grammy winners Richard Smallwood, Albertina Walker, Wintley Phipps and Yolanda Adams.  Kent’s work as a producer, composer and instrumentalist can be heard on numerous local, regional and national recordings.  

 

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Part of the Annual African American Arts Festival