Greg Hopkins and Trinity Choirs Present Duke Ellington’s 'Sacred Concerts'

Berklee professor Greg Hopkins will present a concert honoring Duke Ellington’s three "Sacred Concerts" with Trinity Choirs on Sunday, April 30, at 5:00 p.m. at Trinity Church in Boston. The program will include elements of jazz, classical and choral music, spirituals, gospel, blues, and dance. The concert is free and open to the public.

In addition to performers from the Trinity Choirs directed by Colin Lynch, the event will showcase soloists Renese King B.M. ’90, Dominique Eade, and Daon Drisdom, along with jazz dance artist Thomas DeFrantz. The program will also include several Berklee faculty, students, and alumni, including faculty members Shannon LeClaire, Allan Chase, and Brian Landrus; and student Fall Raye on saxophone. The orchestra's brass section includes students Christian Marrero, Yibran Aponte, Carlos Ramos, and Jeremy Duke, along with alumnus Dorsey Minns B.M. ’17. Bassist Nick Isherwood B.M. ’22, George W. Russell Jr. (piano), chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department, and Ron Savage (drums), vice president and executive director of the college, will round out the rest of the orchestra.

“Playing the music of Duke Ellington is akin to being in the presence of our American musical royalty,” said Hopkins. “His message is so deep and profound, always moving. Ellington’s vast output was his life—a magnificent gift to the world and contribution to the greatness of humanity. We are always honored and humbled to engage in performing his musical messages and strive to convey his innermost message. We learn and feel so much every time we try.”

Trinity Church is located at 206 Clarendon Street in Boston.