CELEBRATION OF SOUL
SAVE THE DATE
FEB 29, 2020!
Be sure to mark this amazing event on your calendar as the Grand Rapids Symphony honors the accomplishments of individuals and organizations that celebrate the importance of diversity, inclusion and bridge-building in West Michigan with the MaLinda P. Sapp Awards, and entertains guests with a fabulous concert. More information on this year's event coming soon. Be sure to check back for updates!
Join the Grand Rapids Symphony Community Chorus
The Grand Rapids Symphony Community Chorus is looking for members to join us for Symphony with Soul 2019! For more information about the chorus, please email Julie Nystedt at jnystedt@grsymphony.org, including your name, address, and your interest in the Community Gospel Chorus.
About Celebration of Soul
In 2006, the Grand Rapids Symphony created Celebration of Soul, an event to honor the accomplishments of individuals and organizations that celebrate the importance of diversity, inclusion and bridge-building in West Michigan. The Grand Rapids Symphony’s commitment to establishing a diverse community reverberates in all the orchestra’s programs and services. This is reflected in the selection of diverse guest artists and conductors who embrace diversity, Symphony musicians who donate their time, as well as Symphony music education programs that serve schools in which arts education is a fraction of the curriculum.
As part of Celebration of Soul, the Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award was established to honor individuals and organizations for their on-going diversity efforts and accomplishments. The award celebrates an organization or person's distinguished leadership and on-going commitment to advancing engagement, inclusion and diversity. A recipient is a leader that successfully models diversity and inclusion in their profession or industry. They are inspirational, consistent and innovative and encourage others to be culturally competent. The Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award gives the community the opportunity to recognize honorees for their commitment to diversity, education, and bridging cultural differences.
Past Celebration of Soul Recipients
2019
•Isaac V. Norris + Associates, P.C.
•John Varineau
•Noel Webley II
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2018
•Celebration Cinema
•Herschell Turner
•Skot & Barbara Welch
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2017
•Cherry Health
•Christina Arnold
•Elias Lumpkins
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2016
•BL²END
•Stephen and Clarice Drew
•Huntington Bank
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2015
•David Lockington
•Grand Rapids Urban League
•Catherine Williams (posthumously)
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2014
•Paul Collins
•Hispanic Center of West Michigan
•Grand Rapids African American Health Institute
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2013
•Edye Evans Hyde
•Rev. Nathaniel Moody
•Baxter Community Center
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2012
•Mary K. Hoodhood
•Debra L. Perry
•Peter M. Wege
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2011
•Sonya Hughes
•W.K. Kellogg Foundation
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2010
•Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp
•Dr. Marvin L. Sapp
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2009
•Duane and Kaye Davis
•Bing Goei
•Rev. Clifton Rhodes, Jr.
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2008
•Dr. Ed Dobson
•Rev. Lyman Parks, Sr.
•Drs. James and Charsie Sawyer
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2007
•George A. Bayard III
•Ruth Jones Hairston |
2006
•Bishop William C. Abney
•Jonathan Jelks
•Patricia C. Pulliam, Ph.D |
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2019 COS Sponsors
Symphony with Soul Concert Sponsor: 
Gala Sponsor: 
Guest Artist Sponsor: 
Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award Sponsor:
Kate Pew Wolters
Mosaic Scholars Sponsors:
Karl & Patricia Betz
Drs. David & Peggy Thompson
Benefactor Sponsor:
Patron Sponsors:
Eastern Floral | Frey Foundation | The Gerbens/Nedd Family | Grand Valley State University | Mercy Health | O'Donovan Family Foundation | Varnum LLP
Table Sponsors:
Amway | Bank of America | Bishop Marvin L. Sapp and Lighthouse Full Life Center Church | Calvin College | Experience Grand Rapids | Chuck & Julie Frayer | Grand Rapids Community Foundation | Grand Rapids First | Inclusive Performance Strategies | Jim & Marie Preston | SMG Management | Spectrum Health