Evening will pay tribute to 50 years of Hip Hop

By Chris Kelley

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and Project Unity announced a cast of music legends for Together We Sing, the annual musical and special event fundraiser on June 15 that attracts a sold-out crowd.

The soul-stirring evening will feature GRAMMY Award-Winner Erica Campbell (pictured) and Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient SPINDERELLA, “Sunday Best” finalist Zebulon Ellis, Hollywood famed orchestrator and conductor Leon Lacey, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and a 200-voice multi-faith choir comprised of choruses from more than 20 religious and faith organizations. Top gospel and rap artists will also perform as special guests. 

In its third year, Together We Sing is a night of inspiring gospel and classical music — a collaboration that will lead into the week of Juneteenth, a national holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. 

The program will also celebrate National Black Music Month with a special tribute to 50 years of Hip Hop, an unusual but exciting genre of music to blend with the orchestra. Together We Sing will raise funds for Project Unity’s signature community programs. Tickets for the performance start at $49 and are available now at dallassymphony.org or projectunity.net.

Together We Awards will present a special award to NFL Executive Vice President of Operations Troy Vincent for his work to strengthen the diversity, equity and inclusion commitment for every team in the NFL. Project Unity has developed this honor to recognize champions who are working tirelessly to create new paths to confront and dismantle racism. Honorees will be celebrated during the Together We Awards reception and presented during the concert. 

Together We Sing will benefit Dallas-based non-profit Project Unity, a collaborative effort of programming and events hosted in partnership with segments of the Dallas community including faith, business, civic, philanthropic, grassroots and government entities. Project Unity and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra have collaborated in multiple events, including Gospel Goes Classical in 2019, Together We Sing in 2022 and a Unity Concert presented at the Meyerson Symphony Center in 2020 that honored those who lost their lives to racial violence and injustice. 

“We are very excited for our ongoing partnership with the DSO and to have the opportunity to bring performers and audience members of all backgrounds together to promote unity,” said Richie Butler, founder of Project Unity. “I can’t think of a better way to move forward in our mission of togetherness than through music.”

“The collaboration between Project Unity and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is a beautiful harmony of community and music,” said Kim Noltemy, president and CEO of the DSO. “We are proud to work together, welcoming audiences of all backgrounds to experience the power of music to strengthen unity.”