Oak Valley Baptist Church to host special free Holiday Concert

MASSKUS PRODUCTIONS in cooperation with Oak Valley Baptist Church of Oak Ridge proudly presents the EMMY® Award Nominated, Inversion Vocal Ensemble in a special concert to be held at the Church on Sunday December 8th beginning at 5pm. The venue is located at 194 Hampton Road in Oak Ridge, TN.

“We feel blessed here in Oak Ridge and are delighted to offer this musical celebration to the Community free of charge,” states Pastor Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist. “This is just one way for folks to settle down and relax during this hectic Holiday Season. We hope everyone will bring friends to enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon.”

Inversion Vocal Ensemble; image submitted

Under the direction of David Ragland, Jr., Inversions was born from a desire to showcase an array of talented friends. They bring an eclectic vibe to a variety of musical genres. The Vocal Ensemble is comprised of classically trained students and alumni of Tennessee State University, Oakwood University, Vanderbilt University, Morehouse College, University of Tennessee, and Union University. In April 2019, Inversion Vocal Ensemble performed with Brandi Carlile, Marcus Hummon, Ruby Amanfu and others in "Love On Fire", a benefit concert for Thistle Farms. In January 2019, Inversion was the feature performers for Nashville Symphony's annual "Let Freedom Sing" Martin Luther King celebration concert. In April 2018, Inversion was a feature performer in "Nick Cave FEAT. Nashville" at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This performance gained Inversion EMMY-award nomination recognition.

Back in April 2016, Inversion Vocal Ensemble was requested by the National Civil Rights Museum to sing at their inaugural memorial service for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Inversion was requested specifically to sing their rendition of "Precious Lord", King's favorite hymn. The event was attended by Mayors of Memphis and Shelby County, thousands of spectators, and King's comrade, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.

Inversion performed as featured artists for the opening of the annual convention of the National Association of Negro Musicians, in July 2013. The following November, Cheekwood Museum and Botanical Gardens and the National Museum of African-American Music presented Inversion in concert as the closing act of the Drawing Room Concert Series, to commemorate the work of artist William Edmondson.

In 2015, Inversion was presented in concert by The Roland Hayes Committee at the Harris Arts Center, The Summer Hill Heritage Center, and featured in recital with Dr. Gail Robinson-Oturu and Dr. Roland Carter.

That May, Inversion premiered the concert theatrical, FREDERICK DOUGLASS: The Making of a Prophet. Inversion was chosen for this work by its composer, GRAMMY-award winning songwriter Marcus Hummon.

Later in October of that year, Inversion was selected as the only vocalists to perform on the mainstage of Schermerhorn Symphony Center's Laura Turner Concert Hall for the Nashville Symphony Free Day of Music. In December, Inversion returned to Cheekwood to celebrate the holiday season.

Upcoming engagements include performances with GRAMMY-nominated ALIAS Chamber Ensemble and Nashville Ballet. INVERSION can be found online.

The performance will showcase the talents of Ensemble Members along with traditional and holiday favorites. Seating at the 5pm performance will be first-come, first-served at Oak Valley Baptist Church located at 194 Hampton Road in Oak Ridge. The performance is free and open to the public.

Masskus Productions is a full-service promotions agency bringing professional touring artists to theatrical venues in the East Tennessee region. Masskus Productions will itself present or assist other organizations in their presentation of theatrical and concert events offered to the community.

Published December 7, 2019