Get ready for a night of soul like no other! The South Bend Symphony Orchestra announces “Aretha: A Tribute,” a spectacular celebration of the legendary Aretha Franklin, taking place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Morris Performing Arts Center.

Join the Symphony for an unforgettable evening honoring the timeless legacy of the Queen of Soul – Aretha Franklin. Naima Burrs conducts this powerhouse lineup featuring Drama Desk Award nominee Capathia Jenkins and three-time GRAMMY® nominee Ryan Shaw, delivering show-stopping renditions of Franklin’s most iconic hits. Audiences will hear favorites like “Respect,” “Think,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” and “Amazing Grace,” among others.

“I am so excited to bring the show to South Bend and to be able to play with the South Bend Symphony.” Guest soloist Capathia Jenkins shares, “This program celebrates ‘all things, The Queen of Soul’ so there is something for everyone. We encourage the audience to get up and dance, so put on your dancing shoes and come out. Let’s have a blast! See you soon.”

“I am so glad to be making my South Bend Symphony debut. Every time we do this show, the response is overwhelming.” Guest soloist Ryan Shaw shares, “It just goes to show you how much Aretha was and is still a pivotal part of US culture. I am proud to be standing on the shoulders of artists like her. She has influenced and been influenced by many artists, and I’m happy to be their representation in this show. Artists like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding were significant parts of Aretha’s journey, and I think this show beautifully exposes the threads that make up the fabric of The Queen of Soul. Can’t wait to see you there.”

This evening promises to be a fantastic tribute to one of music’s greatest legends. Don’t miss your chance to experience this soulful celebration with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra thanks Indiana Trust for supporting the Indiana Trust Pops Series and Jordan Lexus of Mishawaka for being a proud Artistic Partner of the 2024-25 Season. Guest conductor Naima Burrs’s appearance is underwritten by Victoria Garrett.

SINGLE TICKETS start at $24.

Online – www.southbendsymphony.org
Phone – Morris Performing Arts Center Box Office 574-235-9190
(10 am – 4 pm, Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 – 5:30 p.m., Thursday & Friday)
In-person – Visit the Morris Box Office (211 N. Michigan St., South Bend) during the times listed above or two hours before any performance or stop by the Symphony Office (127 N. Michigan St., South Bend) between (10 am – 4 pm, Tuesday – Friday).

To VIEW the 2024-25 Season schedule, visit www.southbendsymphony.org

Dates, programs, and venues are subject to change.

For questions or media appearances, please contact Sarah Perschbacher, sperschbacher@southbendsymphony.org or 574-230-4875

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About the South Bend Symphony Orchestra

The South Bend Symphony inspires the community with the transformative power of orchestral music in all its forms by producing 20 mainstage programs, serving more than 29,000 attendees annually. As the region’s only professional orchestra, the Symphony is committed to diverse sound and a robust arts community in Michiana that entertains and connects people to music.

In addition to being recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other state and local arts funding organizations, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra is the recipient of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence, which recognizes the best-run nonprofit organization in St. Joseph County, Indiana.

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About Naima Burrs
Naima Burrs, M.M., is a violinist and conductor from Richmond, Viriginia, with a master of music in violin performance from the University of Northern Iowa and a bachelor of arts in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has performed with many orchestras, including the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, and held leadership roles like concertmaster and principal second violin.

Burrs has appeared on NPR’s “With Good Reason” to discuss her career and perform works by African American composers. She was selected for the 2014 Scotia Festival of Music and has served as concertmaster for various projects, including Steven M. Allen’s opera The Poet and a PBS documentary on Paul Lawrence Dunbar. In 2019, she participated in the Colour of Music Festival’s orchestra and virtuosi ensemble.

In 2021, Burrs was chosen as a Summit Conductor for the Wintergreen Music Festival and will study at the Domaine Forget conducting academy in Quebec. Recently appointed Music Director of the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, she also serves as the orchestra director at the University of Richmond and a full-time instructor at Virginia State University. Burrs is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in instrumental conducting at The Catholic University of America.

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About Capathia Jenkins

Capathia Jenkins is a Brooklyn-born actress and singer renowned for her powerful voice. She debuted on Broadway in The Civil War and starred as Medda in Disney’s Newsies. Her credits include Godspell and The Look of Love. Jenkins was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for (mis)Understanding Mammy and appeared in Love, Loss, and What I Wore.As a concert artist, she has performed with leading orchestras like the Cleveland Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic. Her TV and film work includes Musical Chairs, and she features on soundtracks for Nine, Chicago, and Legally Blonde 2.

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About Ryan Shaw

Ryan Shaw is a three-time GRAMMY® nominated artist known for his albums “This is Ryan Shaw”, “In Between,” and “Real Love.” He has shared the stage with Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, John Legend, B.B. King, and Jill Scott. His music has featured on shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Grey’s Anatomy, and films like My Blueberry Nights. Shaw starred as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Stevie Wonder in Motown: The Musical, and in Thriller Live. He has performed at Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. His album “Imagining Marvin” features Marvin Gaye hits.