Театр «Звук Шарлстона» запускает новый сезон с концертами, связывающими музыку и историю города

For 16 years, The Sound of Charleston has been doing something a little different with Lowcountry history. Rather than simply telling audiences about it, the production lets them hear it. The newest season will continue that tradition while also extending the production’s America 250 Edition. Presented by Charleston Musical Heritage Productions, each 75-minute concert combines live performances with narration from host William Schlitt, connecting gospel, spirituals, Civil War songs, jazz, George Gershwin and light classical music to the people and events that shaped Charleston. Support Community-Funded Arts & Culture Journalism: Arts and culture coverage at The Post and Courier is made possible by community support. The Arts & Culture Lab allows us to invest in meaningful reporting that highlights creativity, history and cultural expression across South Carolina. Your contribution helps ensure this work continues. Please donate today at postandcourierfund.com/donate. “The concerts summarize the music of Charleston's history from gospel to Gershwin,” says Bill Perry, the production’s founder and producer. Education and entertainment Perry and his collaborators launched the show in 2010 originally with tourists in mind. Hundreds of performances later it has become what Perry said is Charleston’s longest-running musical production, with a rotating cast of local professional musicians. The shows are staged at the historic Circular Congregational Church, where audiences get more than a concert. “People would come to the show and not only get entertained, but it's an educational experience and a very emotional one,” he said. That combination of music and history remains at the center of the new season. The Piccolo Spoleto portion in spring will feature five concerts, including three performances of "From Gospel to Gershwin" on May 23, May 30 and June 6, along with an "Oh Happy Day Gospel Concert" on May 24 and "Gershwin and Jazz" on May 31. The flagship program covers an unusually broad musical territory, from spirituals and Civil War camp songs to Gershwin’s "Porgy and Bess" and “Rhapsody in Blue.” Perry points to the composer’s connection to Charleston as one of the show’s most important historical links. Gershwin spent several weeks at Folly Beach in 1934 working on "Porgy and Bess." The gospel program, featuring the Bright Family Singers and guest artist Ann Caldwell, explores the Lowcountry’s deep gospel and spiritual traditions. "Gershwin and Jazz," meanwhile, focuses on Gershwin’s Charleston connection while examining the city’s own jazz history, including the musical legacy of the Jenkins Orphanage. A cast that's 'almost like family' The new season starts on Sept. 9, with the America 250 theme carrying through December. Perry says that portion of the program adds patriotic selections, including “America the Beautiful,” to the musical history presented by the production. The rotating cast is another part of the show’s longevity. Some performers have been involved for years, while new musicians increasingly reach out to join. “We have a cast that's almost like a family,” Perry says. “They've been singing and performing together for so long.” And each performance ends with a song Perry considers particularly appropriate to the venue: “Amazing Grace.” He says John Newton, who wrote the hymn’s lyrics, worshipped at what was then called the Meeting Street Assembly during his time in Charleston. “You may be sitting where John Newton sat when he was inspired to write that song,” Perry tells audiences. After 16 years, that connection between place, history and music remains the reason Perry keeps going with the production.  “People walking out (after the show) tell me, ‘This is the best thing we did while we were in Charleston,'" shared Perry.  For Perry, that reaction confirms the original idea still works. Charleston’s history is perhaps most powerful when it can be heard.