An Evening of Spirituals & Songs of Faith by African American Composers Highlight Ride the Chariot October 9

Five talented musicians are joining forces to present "Ride the Chariot," an evening of African American songs including such favorites such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Steal Away," "A City Called Heaven," "Ain't Got Time to Die," among others. Performing are Rashard Allen, baritone; Jessica Gondwe, soprano; Naomi Christine Leapheart, contralto; Christyan Seay, tenor and Maria Thompson Corley, pianist.

The "chariot" referenced in spirituals alludes to both the fiery vehicle that carried the Biblical prophet Elijah to heaven and the Underground Railroad which carried escaping slaves away from the hell of slavery. Harrisburg-based Seay chose "Ride the Chariot" as the title for a series of 7 concerts, beginning in 1999, because he envisioned the concerts as a chariot ride through African American song. After an eight year hiatus, the chariot rides again in Lancaster, featuring music composed and arranged by Margaret Bonds, Leslie Adams, Uzee Brown, Maria Thompson Corley and others.

RASHARD ALLEN studied at Oberlin College/Conservatory of Music then continued his education at Perkins School of Theology and Meadows School for the Arts, both divisions of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Rashard has been an active soloist for over ten years, singing classical, gospel, and contemporary Christian repertoire. Notably, Rashard was a featured soloist for A Requiem for FrEd Rogers in Pittsburgh, which was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered." Rashard also performed lead roles in the world premiere of several oratorios, including Hadassah, David and Bathsheba, and Kona Coffee Cantata. He has won several vocal competitions, including the Leontyne Price Vocal Competition (Ohio Division), the NATS Competition (Dallas/Ft. Worth Region), and was a three-time recipient of the Bruce Foote Memorial Scholarship for African American singers.

Canadian-born JESSICA GONDWEwas raised in Gettysburg, PA. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jessica began her vocal studies at the Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore, MD. Jessica performed for a two year consecutive season at the Sight & Sound Theater. She has also performed solos with the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra, was cast in the lead role of "Sarah" in the world premiere of the musical Battlecry, and is a soloist in the upcoming movie, The North Star.

Detroit-born Naomi CHRISTINE LEAPHEAR is a classically-trained contralto and clarinetist who has performed in venues all across the country, even commanding an audience with President Bill Clinton. She has been actively performing since 1990 and serves as a vocal coach to young singers, church choirs, small gospel ensembles, a cappella groups using techniques she learned from her musical mentor, the internationally-renowned harpist and music educator Patricia Terry-Ross. Currently, Naomi leads worship as Co-Pastor and Minister of Music & Arts at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Lancaster, PA

CHRISTYAN SEAY, tenor, is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. Active in recital, oratorio and opera, Mr. Seay performs extensively throughout central Pennsylvania and abroad, including concert venues in New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. He has performed with several regional orchestras including the Harrisburg, Lancaster and West Shore Symphony Orchestras as well as performances with the Harrisburg Opera Association, The Lancaster Opera Company, Concert Operetta of Philadelphia, Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore and Opera North. Among his accomplishments, he was a finalist in the Bel Canto Foundation National Opera Competition and is a three-time recipient of the Jump Street Arts Development Center/Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts grant award. Mr. Seay appeared with Open Stage of Harrisburg in performances of Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill, in a series of jazz concerts entitled An Evening with a Lady and the Duke, and has performed with legendary jazz pianist/arranger Cedric Lawson and vocalist Diane Wilson. Mr. Seay currently serves as Artistic Director for the Capital Area Music Association (CAMA) and is a concert artist of the Wednesday Club Performing Arts Society in Harrisburg.

Jamaican-born Canadian MARIA THOMPSON CORLEY has appeared on radio, television, and concert stages in Canada, the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Europe including performances in Budapest at the Liszt Academy, and in Carnegie Recital Hall, Aaron Davis Hall and Alice Tully Hall, all in New York City. She has collaborated with such artists as Metropolitan Opera soprano Priscilla Baskerville, and internationally renowned clarinetist James Campbell. Her performances as soloist with orchestra include engagements with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, and the Allegro Chamber Orchestra.. She has also performed with the Philadelphia-based Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra.

Her first CD, Dreamer, collaboration with tenor Darryl Taylor, was released internationally on the Naxos label. Her subsequent discs, on Albany, include a recording of the first twelve of African American composer Leslie Adams' etudes for solo piano and Soulscapes, consisting of music for solo piano by African American women. Her most recent solo CD is Of the Father's Love Begotten: A Contemplative Christmas.

Maria Corley received both masters and doctorate degrees in piano performance from the Juilliard School, where she was a student of renowned Hungarian pianist Gyorgy Sandor. Her recent appearances include collaboration with countertenor Darryl Taylor in a concert sponsored by the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, featured artist at the Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat, Croatia, and engagements in Alberta, Canada, and North Carolina. Maria Corley is also half of Duo Chiaroscuro (Sara Male, cello). She is the Music Director and Organist at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA.

Tickets: $20 | $15 Seniors | $5 Students. Reserve by calling 717-872-3811; Online, at artsmu.com; In person at the Ware Center Box Office or the SMC Building on the Millersville Campus. Ticket Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM. If available, tickets will also be sold one-hour prior to the performance. Guests are encouraged to reserve in advance.