Gospel Night with Tamela & David Mann
Lead Season Sponsor
Saturday, June 7, 7:30pm
BOSTON POPS
CHARLES FLOYD conducting
Corporate support for Saturday evening’s concert is generously provided by BSO Business Partner New Balance.
Presenting the Boston Pops Gospel Choir
Bro. Dennis L. Slaughter, Artistic Director | Norris Welch, Manager
Mark Copeland, Piano | Sam Joseph, Bass | Dennis Montgomery, Organ | Sean Skeete, Drums
Anthem of Praise
Richard Smallwood—arr. Charles Floyd
PHAEDRA BUTLER and SHARON MOLDEN, soloists
Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah (orchestra only)
Saint-Saëns
How Great Thou Art (orchestra only)
Traditional—arr. Charles Floyd
Psalm 150
Clark—arr. Charles Floyd
Sing
Micah Stampley
KATANI SUMNER, soloist
Total Praise
Richard Smallwood
INTERMISSION
Presenting Tamela and David Mann
with the Boston Pops Gospel Choir
Selections to be announced from the stage
The Boston Pops welcomes Boston Attractions Group; Alisa Fleming; Harvard Outings & Innings; MIT Activities Committee; Linda Tatten; Glory Wideman-Hughes
Guests are expected to drink responsibly. Intoxication will not be tolerated. Intervention with an impaired guest will be handled in a prompt and safe manner, which may include ejection from the premises.
Photos, videos, and audio recordings are prohibited during the performance. You are welcome (and encouraged!) take photos and videos before and after the concert, and at intermission.
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![Black and white photo of Charles Floyd sitting at a piano, holding a conductor's baton.]()
Charles Floyd
As a conductor, Charles Floyd has been heard in concert with more than 500 orchestras since 1991, during which time his work at the podium caught the special attention of conductors James DePriest and Seiji Ozawa. His appearances include performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Houston, San Fransisco, and Oregon symphonies, and the Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, and Baltimore symphony orchestras. He has also appeared with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Aukland Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington in New Zealand, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Symphony Orchestra. He made his debut with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in July 2004, and in 2010 debuted with the Holland Symfonia at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. His programs include the standard classical literature from the Baroque era through the 21st century, as well as alternative orchestral repertoire ranging from film scores to a wide range of world musical styles. In 2022, he conducted the Los Angeles premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning composition Voiceless Mass by Native American composer Raven Chacon.
Floyd is an annual guest conductor at the Boston Pops. Since 1993 his performances have included Gospel Night at Pops at Boston’s Symphony Hall, a program which features orchestral classics as well as a 120-voice gospel chorus. His work in Boston’s 1996 season included a PBS telecast of Evening at Pops, featuring Patti LaBelle and Edwin Hawkins in a program of gospel music, and critically acclaimed performances as the soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with conductor Keith Lockhart. His programs have featured a diverse array of artists such as the Metropolitan Opera’s Grace Bumbry, William Warfield, and Renée Fleming. He has also performed with Sting, Elton John, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday, Daryl Coley, Sergio Mendes, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind & Fire, Take 6, CeCe Winans, Chris Botti, and Stevie Wonder. In 1998 he was music director for the nationally broadcast PBS holiday special A Cathedral Christmas with mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Floyd’s 11-year partnership with singer Natalie Cole has produced such projects as the multiple Grammy Award-winning tribute to Nat King Cole entitled Unforgettable, With Love; the Emmy Award-winning PBS Great Performances concert video of the same title; and the Grammy-winning releases Take a Look and Stardust.
His compositions range from chamber music to large orchestral and vocal works. A tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, One Man’s Dream for narrator and orchestra, was commissioned and premiered by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in 2001. His Four Spirituals for soprano and orchestra premiered at Boston’s Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in 1995, and his oratorio Hosanna for gospel chorus and orchestra also premiered there in 2000. His Piano Concerto No. 6 premiered with New England’s Cape Anne Symphony in 2012 and his Cello Concerto had its Symphony Hall premiere in 2013.
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![Tamela & David Mann together]()
Tamela & David Mann
David & Tamela Mann’s story is one of resilience and triumph. Born in East Texas and raised in Fort Worth’s Stop Six neighborhood, they overcame significant odds. Their journey from humble beginnings to becoming celebrated entertainers is a powerful testament to their determination and talent.
David and Tamela Mann began their illustrious careers as integral members of Kirk Franklin & The Family, where their powerful voices and dynamic performances helped shape the sound of 90s Gospel music. Whether it’s David’s soul-stirring vocal lead on “He’s Able” or the powerful vocal prowess of Tamela’s voice on “Now Behold the Lamb,” their contributions to the group were instrumental in bringing gospel music to mainstream audiences, blending traditional sounds with contemporary influences. This early success laid the foundation for their evolution into iconic roles within the Tyler Perry franchise, most notably as Mr. Brown and Cora. These beloved characters not only Introduced their comedic talents but also solidified their status as versatile performers, capable of captivating audiences in both music and on the screen.
David and Tamela Mann have been instrumental to the Tyler Perry franchise, significantly contributing to stage plays, movies, and hit shows like Meet The Browns and currently Assisted Living. Their involvement has been pivotal in employing thousands of minority men and women in entertainment production, leading the way in idea innovation and creating culturally relevant content. Through their work, they have not only showcased their immense talent but also championed diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, paving the way for future generations.
Beyond acting, David is now venturing into world of directing, showcasing his keen eye for storytelling and his ability to bring out the best in his fellow performers. With a list of successful projects to his name, David still finds time to give back to his community through his mental health awareness efforts alongside the Ad Council the Hartsman Mental Institute with his new Mann to Mann series, Love Your Mind.
Tamela's authenticity and passion shine through in every performance, touching hearts and inspiring countless individuals along the way. Her remarkable talent, coupled with her unwavering dedication to her craft, solidifies Tamela Mann's legacy as a true icon in the world of gospel music.
As a married couple for 37 years, they have become a beacon of hope and inspiration, showcasing the beauty of marriage with Christ at the center of their everyday life. With their infectious personalities and genuine affection for one another, David and Tamela Mann continue to uplift and inspire audiences worldwide, proving that love, laughter, and family are truly the greatest treasures.
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Boston Pops Gospel Choir
The Boston Pops Gospel Choir, made up of volunteers from church choirs and other choruses in the greater Boston area, was originally brought together to participate in the first “Gospel Night at Pops,” which took place on Sunday, June 13, 1993. “Gospel Night” came about as a result of the vision and commitment of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Cultural Diversity Committee, and particularly because of the late Vondal M. Taylor, Jr. (1954-95), who was Vice-Chairman of the committee and a BSO Overseer. That first performance was led by guest conductor Isaiah Jackson, and Alvin Parris III prepared the choir. The following year Charles Floyd, perhaps best known for his work with Natalie Cole, led acclaimed Gospel Night performances, which featured his own arrangements, both at Symphony Hall and on the Esplanade. In the 2025 spring season, which marks the 31st annual Gospel Night at Pops, Mr. Floyd returns to lead the concert for the 29th time. In 1996 the Boston Pops Gospel Choir joined Patti LaBelle and Edwin Hawkins for a concert taped for the PBS series Evening at Pops.
Boston Pops Gospel Choir 2025 Roster
* indicates a soloist
Dennis Slaughter, Artistic DirectorNorris Welch, Choir Manager
SopranosKate Aislin • Marcia Azores • Priscilla Bartley • Phaedra Butler * • Neni Carolina Chacin • Gabrielle Cobbs • Victoria Dandridge • Christina DeVaughn • Paula E. Elliott • Deborah Freeman • Ida Kamrara • Zaida C. Lambe • Ayeesha Lane • Jane Lanzillo • Laura Lapointe • Katie Leazott • Amina Michel-Lord • Ann Moritz • Monica Paige • Roberta Pina • Kimberly Piper • Margaret Ris • Sharon Sealy • Amanda Severin • Charlotte Spinkston • Pamela St Aimee • Julie Starr • Marie G. Toussaint • Jill Updegraph • Martha Vedrine • Brittany Wells
AltosLoraine Adeyemi • Nicole Rene Atchison • Eren Brooks • Suzanne Buell • Sheri Callender • Adrienne Campbell • Karen Colbert • Jennifer Crowe • Camilla Davis • Ameris J. Davis • Margaret Evans • Cynthia Faulkner • Elisa M. Gifford • Shannell Grant • Karen Marie Green • Bella V. Harris • Val Harris-Alleyne • Angela Hedley-Mitchell • Thanayi (Ms.) Henry • Deborah Hood • Marcia Jackson • George-Marie Jasmin • Patience Korrie • Marie-Elle Merchant • Sharon Molden * • Kimberly Oliver • Yemisi Oluwole • Kate Prescott • Jacquinn Sinclair • Katani Sumner * • Crystal Tavares • Samara Z. Tilkin • Beth Tortolani • Eleanor Vaughn • Mildred E. Walker • H. Tracy Williams • Angelica Wilshire • Vicki Zelski
TenorsAnthony Clayton • Bianca Doman • Cathleen Finn • David Grandy • Karen Groce Horan • LaDarrell Hagans • Steven Hawkesworth • Herbert Jones • Michael Jones • Michael Mecenas • Donald Smith • Janie Ward • Josephine Watson
BassesMabray Andrews • Philip Clinton • Jeff Fried • Jonathan Gramling • David Joyner • Eric Lee Anderson Reynolds • Tim Smith • Brad Turner • Wesley Vaughn
Rhythm SectionMark Copeland, piano • Sam Joseph, bass • Dennis Montgomery, organ • Sean Skeete, drums
Special recognition for their invaluable assistance in advance choir preparationsSuzanne Buell • Jeff Fried • George-Marie Jasmin • Herbert Jones • Nichelle Mungo • Martha Vedrine • Vicki Zelski
Gospel Night Soloists
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Phaedra Butler
Brought centerstage by Maurice Starr, the producer who discovered many other iconic, Boston-bred stars, Phaedra Butler was off to the races from the start of her career, making a splash with the group Lady Soul with a RIAA-certified gold record on Whoopi Goldberg's Sister Act 2 soundtrack. She was catapulted into world tours alongside superstars like New Kids on the Block, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan.
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![Sharon Molden headshot]()
Sharon Molden
Gifted speaker and singer and spirited exhorter are just a few attributes assigned to the character of Sharon Molden. A native of Dallas, TX, she is an active member and vocalist at the Messiah Baptist Church in Brockton, MA, and currently serves as the director of its children’s choir. She can be heard throughout New England singing with numerous well-known choirs and in many venues. For the past 28 years, Sharon has appeared as a lead vocalist and member of the Boston Pops Gospel Choir and has also been a featured vocalist during the Holiday Pops season. She recently was the featured artist for the Stonehill College Nakamichi Concert Series. Sharon has travelled extensively in the United States and throughout the world sharing her vocal talents and gifts.
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Katani Sumner
Katani is well known as the “Inspirational MC” for the Gospel Brunch at the Original House of Blues’ Sunday Gospel Brunch where she received rave reviews. She is currently a member of the House of Blues’ Schoolhouse Band as the singer/narrator for the History of the Blues presentations. One of her proudest moments has been as a featured lead vocalist for the Boston Pops Gospel Choir during Gospel Night at Pops performances. She is currently the bandleader and lead vocalist for Katani & the Krew and has released her first full-length CD project, appropriately titled Delayed Not Denied, available on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes.
Boston Pops Major Corporate Sponsors, 2024-25 Season
The Boston Pops and Symphony Hall major corporate sponsorships reflect the increasing importance of alliance between business and the arts. The Boston Pops is honored to be associated with the following companies and gratefully acknowledges their partnership. For information regarding BSO, Boston Pops, and/or Tanglewood sponsorship opportunities, contact Joan Jolley, Director of Corporate Partnerships, at (617) 638-9279 or jjolley@bso.org.
