Posted on May 11, 2004 at 1:25 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Four works written or arranged by Henry Panion III, university professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Music, will be performed by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra May 15 as part of “Gospel Meets Symphony,” a benefit concert at the Ohio Theatre.

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra will perform Panion’s “Fanfare and Elegy,” which was premiered in 1996 at the Alys Stephens Center by Maestro Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra. “Fanfare and Elegy” was written for the Alys Stephens Center’s grand opening gala celebration. The symphony also will perform “I’m Still Here,” “Psalm 150” and “Nobody Like Jesus,” all written for choir and orchestra and arranged by Panion.

Panion originally arranged “I’m Still Here” and “Nobody Like Jesus” for a performance by Dorinda Clark-Cole, whose recording of these tunes garnered her at least two Stellar Awards and one Soul Train Music Award last year, Panion said. The Flint Symphony Orchestra commissioned his arrangement of “Psalm 150” in 2001.

“Gospel Meets Symphony,” in its fifth year, brings together traditional and contemporary gospel with excerpts from the symphonic repertoire. The event will feature renowned soloist Jevetta Steele and a 150-voice gospel chorus from more than 50 churches from central Ohio.

“Gospel Meets Symphony” benefits The House of Troy Foundation, which provides support for children’s educational activities in the areas of health care, the arts and youth leadership, and Action for Children, a provider of parent and professional education, early learning resources and quality child care advocacy. Both groups offer services to children, parents and professionals in the central Ohio area.