The Cleveland Orchestra recognizes and thanks Jayne M. Zborowsky for their support of this concert.

46th Annual

Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Concert

Mandel Concert Hall

From the Archives

History of this concert

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The Cleveland Orchestra

Now firmly in its second century, The Cleveland Orchestra, under the leadership of Franz Welser-Möst since 2002, is one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world. Year after year, the ensemble exemplifies extraordinary artistic excellence, creative programming, and community engagement. In recent years, The New York Times has called Cleveland “the best in America” for its virtuosity, elegance of sound, variety of color, and chamber-like musical cohesion.

Founded by Adella Prentiss Hughes, the Orchestra performed its inaugural concert in December 1918. By the middle of the century, decades of growth and sustained support had turned the ensemble into one of the most admired around the world.

The past decade has seen an increasing number of young people attending concerts, bringing fresh attention to The Cleveland Orchestra’s legendary sound and committed programming. More recently, the Orchestra launched several bold digital projects, including the streaming platform Adella.live and its own recording label. Together, they have captured the Orchestra’s unique artistry and the musical achievements of the Welser-Möst and Cleveland Orchestra partnership.

The 2025–26 season marks Franz Welser-Möst’s 24th year as Music Director, a period in which The Cleveland Orchestra has earned unprecedented acclaim around the world, including a series of residencies at the Musikverein in Vienna, the first of its kind by an American orchestra, and a number of celebrated opera presentations.

Since 1918, seven music directors — Nikolai Sokoloff, Artur Rodziński, Erich Leinsdorf, George Szell, Lorin Maazel, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Franz Welser-Möst — have guided and shaped the ensemble’s growth and sound. Through concerts at home and on tour, broadcasts, and a catalog of acclaimed recordings, The Cleveland Orchestra is heard today by a growing group of fans around the world.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Chorus

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Chorus is a volunteer community chorus assembled each year since 1989 to sing as part of The Cleveland Orchestra's annual MLK Celebration Concert. Bringing together singers from across Northeast Ohio, the Chorus lifts its collective voices in affirmation of Dr. King's vision of justice, peace, and human harmony. First assembled by Alvin Parris, the Chorus has been prepared and assembled by William Henry Caldwell for the past decade.

Membership each year in the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Chorus is open to singers from throughout Northeast Ohio, with a requirement to attend all rehearsals in January.

Taichi Fukumura

conductor

Latonia Moore

soprano

The Cleveland Orchestra’s 46th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert features soprano Latonia Moore and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Chorus, an all-volunteer community chorus. The program takes the audience on a journey through Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s evolution as a prominent servant leader.

Although the concert is free, tickets are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Saturday, January 3, at 10 a.m.

Visiting Severance Music Center

Mandel Concert Hall

11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106

Mandel Concert Hall View Seat Maps

Visiting Severance Music Center

severance parking map — Drop-off Zone: CWRU Lot 29 Campus Center Garage. Parking meters on East Blvd. & Bellflower Ave. Parking at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. CWRU Lot 63 on Euclid Blvd. CWRU Lot 1B on Martin Luther King Jr Dr.

Directions & Parking Open in Maps

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Experience the MLK Jr. Celebration Chorus