THE EBONY ECUMENICAL ENSEMBLE INC.
MUSIC OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
THE EBONY ECUMENICAL ENSEMBLE, INC. was founded by Bettye F. Forbes in 1979 for participation in the re-opening celebration of the renovated James Memorial Chapel at Union Theological Seminary of New York City. The Ensemble is in the midst of celebrating its 28th Anniversary season, continuing to captivate audiences throughout the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, as well as other parts of the country.
The Ensemble has performed at New York's famed Carnegie Hall for The Korean sacred Choral Festival and at performances for the 48th Anniversary of South Korea's Christian Broadcasting System, and I Sao Paulo and Rio Janeiro, Brazil as part of the International Black Arts Festival. The Ensemble has also performed with artists Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville at the annual TOYS "R" US Special Children's Benefit concert, with The New York Metropolitan Opera star Lauren Flanigan in special holiday benefit performances, at New York's Beacon Theater with the critically acclaimed production of Three Mo' Tenors, and performances of the highly popular Nativity at The United Palace Theater sponsored by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The Ensemble made its debut appearance with the New York Philharmonic in the Emmy-nominated Live from Lincoln Center excerpts from Porgy and Bess, as well as with The Shaker Mountain Opera Company and its 2004 production of Aida, featuring the Metropolitan Opera sensation, 'Angela Brown'. Other highlights include performing for former South African President Nelson Mandela at the welcoming ecumenical service held in his honor at The Riverside Church in New York City on his first trip to the United States, and for Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Ensemble recorded its first album, "Release Your Song" and is in the process of completing its latest CD recording.
MISSION STATEMENT
THE EBONY ECUMENICAL ENSEMBLE, INC. was formed to preserve, promote, and perform the music of the African-American religious experience. It's members are committed to the work of keeping alive the cultural heritage of African-American music.
To encourage appreciation of musical excellence in the performance of the full range of music of the Black religious heritage: spirituals, hymns, praise songs, gospels, and anthems.
To promote the works of African-American composers-traditional and contemporary.
To share the richness of the African-American musical heritage in various cultural settings and to perform music from the continent of Africa before American audiences.
To provide opportunities for younger audiences to learn about and experience various forms of African-American music through lecture-demonstrations and participation.
To provide opportunities for educational and cultural enrichment for members of church and civic organizations across lines of race, culture, and religion, through concert tours, music seminars, and collaboration with various music groups.
To promote young musicians trough the development of a network of musicians who are able to support each other and their organizations toward strong professional cooperation.
THE EBONY ECUMENICAL ENSEMBLE, INC.
SOPRANO
Dominque Atchinson
Bernell Becknel-Wilkerson
Alice Carter
Carol Ann Dowdell
Lorraine Eatman
Patricia Harkness
Linnette Harrigan
Linder Howard
Michele Ivey
Doris Joubert
Renay Peters Joubert
Jewel Kinch
Christina London
Katie McKoy
Karen McVoy
Angela Neil
Yolene Scott
Clarissa Sinceno-Taylor
Cathleen Stone
Sherrie Strange-Pratt
Kitty Ward-Rankins
ALTO
Bernice Boston
Pamela Eatman-Skinner
Audrey June Fields
Lena Scarborough Gates
Gerry Respass
Regina Russ
Geraldine Sinceno
Dawn Smyer-Vincent
Patricia Washington
Dorothy Weiner
Gloria Williams
TENOR
Saint Christopher
Matthew Gadsden
Charlene Griffin
Warren Hargett
Maurice Lynch
Jey Montreal
Eugene R. Palmore
James Roacher
Carl Skeene III
Ian Straker
Avid Williams
BASS
John Anthony
Gregory Carr
Charles Carter
Ross Hamilton
Clement Hedley
Patrick Johnson
Eddie Larkin
Ronald Pettaway
Hamad C. Skinner
Norval Soleyn
Floyd Umbles
MUSICIANS
Joseph Joubert, Accompanist
James Forbes III, Keyboard
Courtney Bennett, Drums
Darren Hicks, Bass Guitar
M. Roger Holland II, Keyboard
Kevin McKoy, Organ
Lee Koonce, Rehearsal Musician