Two Richard Smallwood songs arranged by Henry Panion III, Ph.D., “Anthem of Praise” and “Bless the Lord,” are on the program for the Nov. 9 concert “Symphonic Gospel: Celebration.”The London Symphony Orchestra will perform two Richard Smallwood songs arranged by Henry Panion III, Ph.D., University Professor of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in an upcoming concert.
A composer, conductor, producer and arranger, Panion is director of Music Technology in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music. His experiences span the musical spectrum, from gospel and classical to pop, rock, country, R&B, hip-hop and everything in between. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2023.
The London Symphony Orchestra will perform “Anthem of Praise” and “Bless the Lord,” as part of its concert “Symphonic Gospel: Celebration” on Sunday, Nov. 9. Smallwood’s songs are among the most-performed gospel music by choirs across the globe, and this year marks Smallwood’s 76th birthday.
Panion worked with Smallwood as conductor and arranger and is well known for his work in merging gospel and classical music. Last year, he led the National Symphony Orchestra at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in an all-star tribute to the American gospel legend.
This is a significant milestone, he says.
“The London Symphony Orchestra is one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world,” Panion said. “I have been blessed with several rare opportunities like this, but I do not take them for granted. The London Symphony Orchestra truly represents the pinnacle of orchestras worldwide.”
A three-time Grammy Award winner, Panion earned two Emmys in 2021 for the PBS documentary “Dreams of Hope,” which won an unprecedented 13 Telly Awards. He has worked with the likes of superstars Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan, as well as jazz luminaries Ellis Marsalis, Jonathan Butler and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. His work in gospel music includes arranging and orchestrating music for legends the Winans, Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and The Clark Sisters. He has worked with country artists LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Randy Owen and ALABAMA; R&B songstresses Kelly Price and India Arie; “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard; hip-hop artists Coolio and Nelly; and more than 50 different symphony orchestras across the United States and around the globe.