THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 25, 1995 TAG: 9502250252
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music Review
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Three powerful forces met Friday night - the Virginia Symphony, gospel music and Peggy Britt. A community choir led by Britt, the phenomenally talented Portsmouth singer, joined the orchestra at Willett Hall to celebrate and make local black history.
Gospel concerts have been a staple of orchestral programming in other cities for years. Given the wealth of gospel talent in Hampton Roads, it's a wonder such an event didn't happen sooner.
Friday's performance was a summit of area gospel royalty. It was convened by Pastor Vernon S. Lee Sr. of New Mount Vernon Baptist Church, who sang and contributed eloquent program notes. The keyboardists were Michael J. Nelson, composer of ``The 700 Club'' theme, and Christopher B. Thomas of New Community Church of God in Christ, who has taken gospel to Japan for the Smithsonian Institution.
But the star was Britt, who is best known as head of Peggy Britt and the Philharmonics. As Virginia Symphony Associate Conductor Andrews Sill led the orchestra, she led the 150-voice choir in spirited, supple singing of traditional and contemporary songs. In ``Jesus, You're The Center Of My Joy,'' the word ``joy'' had spirited swells.
When Britt stepped out to sing solo on ``Confession,'' the magnitude of her talent became fully apparent. It's common in these parts to exaggerate the abilities of local performers. But Britt sounded like the genuine article, singing with the assurance, accuracy and passion of Anita Baker.
The first gospel song on the program, ``Lord, I'm Available To You,'' didn't quite come together. Church started when deep-voiced Barbara Brown of Portsmouth sang, ``I can truly say the Lord has made a way'' in ``We've Come This Far By Faith.'' Ike Owens had a smooth delivery in ``Jesus, You're The Center Of My Joy.''
In the first half of the concert, Sill led a medley from ``Porgy and Bess'' and two pieces by African-American composers. Adolphus Hailstork's bouncy ``Celebration'' is an early piece that's still among his best. Duke Ellington's easygoing ``Martin Luther King'' from ``Three Black Kings'' conveyed the peaceful aims and Southernness of the civil rights leader.
Sill is a gifted young conductor at home in a variety of styles. And his words to the audience were knowledgeable, sincere and effective. At the end of the concert, he said, ``I'd love to keep on going.'' Someone from the back of the hall shouted out, ``Go ahead!'' MEMO: REVIEW
The Virginia Symphony with a community gospel chorus led by Peggy
Britt, Friday at Willett Hall, Portsmouth. For more information about
upcoming symphony events, call 623-2310. by CNB