American Spiritual Ensemble Returns to Arts Council Performing Arts Series   Covington, VA (Jan. 17, 2020) -The much revered, American Spiritual Ensemble will return as a featured presentation of the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council’s Performing Arts Series on Tuesday, January 28. The concert at Covington High School will begin in Curfman Hall at 7:00 pm. Comprised of some of the finest classically trained singers in the United States, the ASE continues its mission of keeping the American Negro spiritual alive. Vocalists have dazzled audiences around the world with their dynamic repertoire ranging from spirituals to classical to jazz and Broadway numbers. The exquisite sound comes from an ensemble of accomplished soloists who have sung in theaters and opera houses world-wide, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and abroad in Italy, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Spain and Japan. Dr. Everett McCorvey, founder and director of ASE, is the Artistic Director of the National Chorale and Orchestra in New York City while continuing a long career as Professor of Voice and Director of Opera at the University of Kentucky. He’s also Director and Executive Producer of University of Kentucky Opera Theatre. As a tenor soloist, he has enjoyed critical acclaim around the globe, including the Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, and Italy's Teatro Comunale. Local singers from a community mass choir that participated in the "Lift Every Voice" residency will be featured guests and perform with the ASE during this concert. All those singers should plan to be at Curfman Hall by 5:30 pm that evening in concert attire. This visit by the American Spiritual Ensemble is underwritten by a grant from the Alleghany Foundation and a special gift from the Dominion Foundation. The Arts Council also receives supplemental funding from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Virginia Commission for the Arts. The cost of the performance is $20 for adults and $10 for students, group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at AlleghanyArts4All.com. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 962-ARTS (2787)

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