Hopkins Symphony Debuts New Douglass Portrait Piece

The concert will feature both the classic Lincoln Portrait and a newly commissioned work honoring abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:14am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark black silhouettes and geometric shapes, conceptually representing the powerful ideas and ongoing struggle for civil rights embodied in the life and writings of Frederick Douglass.The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra's premiere of a new orchestral work honoring the legacy of abolitionist Frederick Douglass aims to engage audiences with his enduring moral and intellectual impact.Baltimore Today

The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra will premiere a new orchestral work titled 'Douglass Portrait' on April 18, composed by retired U.S. Army Captain J. Kimo Williams. The piece, which will be performed alongside the classic 'Lincoln Portrait' by Aaron Copland, aims to engage audiences with the 'intellectual and moral force' of Douglass's writings as 'living expressions of a struggle that remains ongoing.' The concert will also feature performances from this year's Concerto Competition winners.

Why it matters

The dual performance of 'Lincoln Portrait' and the new 'Douglass Portrait' allows the Hopkins Symphony to highlight the diverse array of American experiences ahead of the nation's 250th birthday, showcasing the lives and legacies of two of the country's most influential historical figures.

The details

The 'Douglass Portrait' does not seek to dramatize historical events or reenact Douglass's speeches, but rather presents 'a portrait in sound and text' to engage audiences with his language and ideas. The piece will feature narration by both a male Shakespearean actor playing Douglass, as well as a female mezzo-soprano, to reflect Douglass's advocacy for women's rights. Rehearsals are currently underway, and junior cellist Vea Freeman is excited to see how the new work evolves.

  • The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra concert will take place on April 18, 2026.
  • The concert will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The players

Jed Gaylin

The conductor of the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra, who has commissioned over 17 new pieces during his 35-year tenure.

J. Kimo Williams

A retired U.S. Army Captain and the composer of the new 'Douglass Portrait' piece.

Gerrad Alex Taylor

A Shakespearean actor who will narrate both the 'Lincoln Portrait' and 'Douglass Portrait' pieces.

Kyle Engler

A mezzo-soprano who will provide additional narration for the 'Douglass Portrait' piece.

Vea Freeman

A junior cellist who has played with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra since her freshman year and is excited to perform the new commissioned work.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This orchestral work does not seek to dramatize historical events or deliver a literal reenactment of his speeches. Instead, it presents a portrait in sound and text, offering audiences an opportunity to engage directly with the intellectual and moral force of Douglass's language ... not as static artifacts of the past, but as living expressions of a struggle that remains ongoing.”

— J. Kimo Williams, Composer

“It's great to have a living composer. There's the excitement of just getting to know a piece and having the composer around to be able to ask him, 'Hey, did you really mean B flat here?' ... It's a great responsibility, helping midwife a piece into its existence.”

— Jed Gaylin, Conductor, Hopkins Symphony Orchestra

“This is not the first time I've performed a newly commissioned work with HSO, and I hope it's not the last. HSO does an excellent job of celebrating the classical canon while also creatively exploring novel applications.”

— Vea Freeman, Junior Cellist, Hopkins Symphony Orchestra

“Douglass' roots in Talbot County and Baltimore are extremely locally relevant to Hopkins, and I hope this piece inspires curiosity about his life and influence. It's a privilege to perform this program celebrating American liberation, democracy, and civil rights.”

— Vea Freeman, Junior Cellist, Hopkins Symphony Orchestra

“At this momentous time in our nation's history, in terms of [250] years, it's important to remind ourselves what is most important about America, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on.”

— Jed Gaylin, Conductor, Hopkins Symphony Orchestra

What’s next

The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra concert featuring the premiere of 'Douglass Portrait' will take place on April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The dual performance of the classic 'Lincoln Portrait' and the new 'Douglass Portrait' allows the Hopkins Symphony to highlight the diverse array of American experiences and the ongoing struggle for liberation, democracy, and civil rights that continues to this day.