Liberation: Songs of Harriet Tubman

The Program in Sacred Music at Notre Dame in collaboration with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra is proud to present Liberation: Songs of Harriet Tubman, a symphonic concert featuring South African soprano soloist, Goitsemang Lehobye and conducted by Cynthia Katsarelis. The concert is in Leighton Concert Hall in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on March 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM, with a Pre-Concert Talk at 6:30 that includes civic leader Alfred Guillaume, to discuss Harriet Tubman, her importance to South Bend, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and the installation of her statue in Howard Park and Ms. Mahammad will set the scene with her Harriet Tubman soliloquy.

Program

Songs of Harriet Tubman by Nkeiru Okoye

Symphony No. 3 in G Minor by Louise Farrenc

About Nkeiru Okoye

Nkeiru Okoye, winner of The American Prize in vocal chamber music for, We Met at the Symphony, composer Nkeiru Okoye creates contemporary classical music for a new generation. Her work in addressing issues of race and social justice has been called “gripping” and “evocative,” (The New York Times), and “unflinching” (Boston Globe). Okoye’s ability to interweave musical styles has been described as “joyfully [dancing] from gospel music and spirituals to operatic solos, from cinematic orchestral interludes to minimalist riffs, and from electrifying ostinatos to lilting spoken word.” (I Care if You Listen). Okoye is a Guggenheim Fellow and a librettist. Her works has been commissioned, performed and presented by Detroit Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, the Juilliard School, Louisville Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Opera North UK, Houston Grand Opera, the American Opera Project, Moscow Symphony, Tanglewood Music Festival, Virginia Symphony, Tulsa Opera, Royal Opera House, UK, and many others.

About Cynthia Katsarelis, Assistant Professor of conducting in the Program in SMND

Cynthia Katsarelis, Assistant Professor of the Practice in Conducting in the Sacred Music Program ND has conducted excellent professional, college, and youth orchestras. “A model of precision and spirit,” her career has been devoted to presenting new, diverse, and traditional music. Katsarelis has conducted over 50 orchestras, including the Buffalo Philharmonic, North Carolina Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, and served as music director of Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra for 17 years. She apprenticed with the Cincinnati Symphony, May Festival, and Pops as a Conducting Assistant.

About Goitsemang Lehobye

Goitsemang Lehobye, a native of Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa, was first captivated by the enchanting world of opera through a televised performance by the South African Black Tie Opera Ensemble. Fueled by her passion, she embarked on a journey that led her from the Black Tie Ensemble’s “Incubator” Scheme to the grand stage, mastering the art of opera singing. Her perseverance and talent propelled her from a chorus member to a solo performer, gracing numerous opera productions. In January 2024, Goitsemang performed in the Strauss concert at the Finnish National Opera. In April of the same year, she covered the role of Tosca with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. That summer, she graduated with her Doctor of Voice Performance degree and performed in Rappahannock County and Aida with Opera Maine in Portland. In August 2024, she made her Carnegie Hall debut, marking another milestone in her flourishing career.

The Sacred Music Program at Notre Dame

Sacred Music at Notre Dame (SMND) is a community of faculty, students, and staff who are committed to the training of the future music leaders of our churches, concert halls, and schools and universities. We are an interdisciplinary and ecumenical research and teaching program with a Roman Catholic core. SMND’s graduate program includes the Master of Sacred Music degree with specializations in Organ, Voice, and Choral Conducting, and the Calvin M. Bower Doctor of Musical Arts Program, offering the DMA degree in Organ or Choral Conducting performance.