CYSO is proud to release this new compilation album celebrating works by Black composers. The CD includes performances recorded over the past three seasons and is the first album CYSO has produced that features each of our high school level ensembles. The album highlights works by Black composers from across the spectrum, from Duke Ellington to George Walker, Florence Price to Michael Abels. We were excited to put together this collection in order to shine light on composers whose works often didn't get the attention they deserved during their lifetimes, as well as those who are producing important works today.

$10 from every album sale will go to support the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative. CMPI supports young Chicago-area musicians from backgrounds that are historically under-represented in the classical music world, including Black and Latinx students, among others.

DISC 1
1. Michael Abels | Winged Creatures
Performed by Anthony McGill, Demarre McGill, and CYSO’s Symphony Orchestra, Allen Tinkham, conductor
Commissioned by and used with permission of Cedille Records

2. Slide Hampton | Nelson Mandela
Performed by CYSO’s Jazz Orchestra, Pharez Whitted, conductor

3. Slide Hampton | Venus & Serena
Performed by CYSO’s Jazz Orchestra, Pharez Whitted, conductor

4. Michael Abels | Global Warming
Performed by CYSO’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Terrance Malone Gray, conductor

5-6. Florence Price | Symphony no. 1
Performed by CYSO’s Concert Orchestra,Michael Mascari, conductor

7. Traditional & Dr. Charles Tindley | Oh Freedom/We Shall Overcome
Performed by CYSO’s Junior Steel Orchestra, Malika Green, conductor

1-4. William Grant Still | Danzas de Panama
Performed by CYSO’s Accelerando Strings, Daniella Valdez, conductor

5. James Weldon Johnson & John Rosamund Johnson | Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Performed by CYSO’s Kaiso Steel Orchestra, Malika Green, conductor

6. George Walker | Lyric for Strings
Performed by CYSO’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Terrance Malone Gray, conductor

7. George Walker | Address for Orchestra

Performed by CYSO’s Symphony Orchestra, Allen Tinkham, conductor

8. Duke Ellington | Grand Slam Jam

Performed by CYSO’s Symphony Orchestra and members of Jazz Orchestra, Allen Tinkham, conductor