Grace Cathedral Welcomes Genre-Defining Virtuoso Vocalist Bobby McFerrin as the 2023 Artist in Residence

The Renowned Cathedral Unveils Exciting Summer Programming Including TILT

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expanding on its vision of creating a spiritually alive world and its mission of reimagining church with courage, joy, and wonder for everyone to enjoy, Grace Cathedral today announced that Bobby McFerrin, a GRAMMY award-winning and genre-defining virtuoso vocalist, is its 2023 Artist in Residence (AIR). McFerrin, who catapulted into superstardom following the release of his sanguine 1988 hit, “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” continues to be an embodiment of artistic freedom and shows boundless levels of musicality. Leading up to McFerrin’s time as AIR, Grace will host TILT, a special program celebrating the summer solstice.

“Grace has offered a residency to artists to create work illuminating the cathedral’s vision and mission since 2012,” said the Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean of Grace Cathedral. “Bobby McFerrin is a deeply faithful person. His work is prayer in the purest form. He inspires me and his musical art brings us closer to the Holy. We are honored to host him and his quartet MOTION in our sacred space for all people to experience.”

As Grace Cathedral’s 2023 Artist in Residence, McFerrin will complement this year’s theme of “Year of Poetry'' by bringing his iconic circlesongschool to the cathedral, which will include The Unbroken Circlesong: 24 Hours of Circlesongs.

Ahead of McFerrin’s time as AIR, Grace will present TILT, an intimate concert experience, in celebration of light and the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The evening’s indoor sunset, staged by Mad Alchemy, producers of the famed Analog Liquid Light Show, will begin at The Warm Up, a reception that will include a signature TILT cocktail, local craft beer, and culinary bistro bites. In partnership with SF Opera, famed pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg and exciting young singers Efraín Solís and Nikola Printz offer a program inspired by night and day. Nikola, an accomplished aerialist, will unite her talents in a stunning finale.

Grace Cathedral’s cultural members will receive a 10% discount for TILT and The Unbroken Circlesong. Cultural Members also have special access to a robust schedule of arts and music events, exhibitions, cultural offerings, and the cathedral’s curated visitor experience. Learn more about the engaging Culture Membership here.

TILT: A Celebration of Light and Music on the Summer Solstice
Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.; $75/$45
Sponsorship opportunities $175 – $3,500
Begin the evening with The Warm Up, a reception with a signature TILT cocktail, local craft beers, and culinary bistro bites. As the sunlight fades from the glittering stained glass windows, guests will revel in live performances curated by pianist and producer Ronny Michael Greenberg. His virtuosic talents have graced the stages of esteemed venues across the globe.

Bobby McFerrin Circlesongs led by Motion
Monthly, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.; Free
After an illustrious career spanning decades, Bobby McFerrin has created a new form of music called Circlesongs, spontaneously composed choral pieces, where every voice has a place in the circle. Since the fall of 2022, with MOTION, a four-voice ensemble, he has led Circlesongs before the Choral Eucharist Service, usually on the third Sunday of the month.

CirclesongSchool
Monday, July 24 – Saturday, July 29, 2023, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; $950
If you love to sing, individuals are welcome to join circlesongschool 2023 with the legendary vocal virtuoso Bobby McFerrin and his inspiring team of master teachers for a weeklong workshop full of joy-filled improvised music-making and audience art, fun and games for singers of all levels of experience to enjoy.

The Unbroken Circlesong: 24 Hours of Circlesongs
Friday, July 28 – Saturday, July 29, 2023, 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; $100
This 24-hour event is bound to be full of prayerful surprises, fun, and profound beauty. All ages are welcome and are encouraged to bring blankets and pillows to join McFerrin and friends in a celebration of music and prayer, inviting all to join in with their voices to the circlesongs.

About Grace Cathedral

Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal church in the heart of San Francisco and the 3rd largest Episcopal cathedral in the United States. The cathedral is famed as a destination for visitors from all over the world who come to see its striking architecture, stunning stained glass, two labyrinths, Interfaith AIDS Chapel; listen to the Aeolian-Skinner organ and the different choirs of the cathedral; and participate in its beautiful traditional and contemporary expressions of spirituality and prayer. Grace Cathedral is a working cathedral and a house of prayer for all people, serving the community and its congregation with courage, joy, and wonder through prayer, the arts, and connection, with a deep commitment to social justice. We invite deep engagement from members of our congregation, and through our new cultural membership program, which gathers the wider community in supporting and attending the cathedral’s art, social, and cultural offerings. Everyone is welcome. For more information visit www.gracecathedral.org.