While I Run This Race: Music of Hope, Dedication and Celebration

Roderick George, tenor • Gail B.Levinsky, saxophone • Jackie Edwards-Henry, piano | Joan McConnell, organ |

The Helios Trio: John Fadial, violin • Beth Vanderborgh, cello • Chi-Chen Wu, piano

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While I Run This Race: Music of Hope, Dedication and Celebration features the music of composer Doug McConnell.

The works on this album share a common identity; each piece is inspired by aspects of our African-American culture, one that has greatly enriched the American musical scene. Over the years, I was attracted to these materials because they spoke to me as a composer. Truth was presented in a distinctive and expressive manner. Beauty was everywhere; I was inspired to serve these wonderful attributes through my own creative responses.

This recording features the song cycle Langston’s Lot, which celebrates the poetry of Langston Hughes, 2 solo organ works which contrast elements of darkness (Sojourner) with triumph and joy (Ride On, King Jesus) and the piano trio While I Run This Race, a programmatic theme and variations composition, based on the spiritual, Guide My Feet While I Run this Race

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Listen:

Track List:

Langston’s Lot

  1. I’ve Known Rivers
  2. Joy
  3. Conservatory Student Speaks of Higher Instrumentation
  4. Blues at Dawn
  5. Song for Billie Holiday
  6. Oppression
  7. Daybreak in Alabama

Roderick George, tenor • Gail B.Levinsky, saxophone • Jackie Edwards-Henry, piano

Two Spirituals

  1. Sojourner
  2. Ride On, King Jesus!

Joan McConnell, organ

While I Run This Race

  1. Theme: Bring me joy while I run this race
  2. Stand by me while I run this race
  3. Guide my thoughts while I run this race
  4. Ease my doubt while I run this race
  5. …for I don’t want to run this race in vain
  6. I’m your child while I run this race

The Helios Trio: John Fadial, violin • Beth Vanderborgh, cello • Chi-Chen Wu, piano