ACCORDING TO RAY
Ray’s musical Message to America is a personal, patriotic hope for a brighter future.
Ray Charles’s musical genius lies in his extraordinary ability to defy what others believed to be impossible. For him, there was no genre too untouchable, no obstacle too great, and no height beyond his reach.
Charles built a world that was uniquely his own, shaped by his vision of what music could be. He democratized musical genres at a time when it was exceedingly rare to do so, creating a monumental impact that is reflected in his vast musical catalog.
From his gospel roots to the jazz influences of artists like Nat King Cole, Charles seamlessly wove together genres, taking us on a journey through the heart of American music. His ventures into jazz, blues, soul, and country—often with unexpected twists—led to some of the most beloved songs in American music. Songs like “I’ve Got a Woman,” “Georgia On My Mind,” and “Hit the Road Jack” became undeniable anthems.
In 1972, Charles ventured again into new territory. Charles, whose successful career had been defined by his strong sense of style and musical versatility, suddenly found himself in a new era where artists were inspired and even encouraged to make music that addressed the current social and political climate.
A Message from the People, produced by Quincy Jones, is a profound take on American issues based on two Black men’s lived experiences.
Its cornerstone reinterpretation of “America the Beautiful” is the most personal song Charles ever recorded. The album sheds light on serious themes like poverty, inequality, and injustice, but at its heart is a message about the power of holding tight to unity, empathy, and hope. The album sheds light on serious themes like poverty, inequality, and injustice, but at its heart is a message about the power of holding tight to unity, empathy, and hope.
In this roaring season opener, Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby and our spectacular guest artists examine the crucial role music has in shaping our collective vision of America. Together, we explore how Ray Charles’s remarkable life and legacy culminated in a deeply personal musical journey through patriotism, citizenship, and an enduring hope for a better future that still resonates today.
According to Ray
Event Photos
According to Ray
Program Repertoire
What’d I Say - Ray Charles, arr. Jamey Tate
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Thomas A. Dorsey, arr. Ronald O’Hannon, Robert Trapp, Dedrick Bonner
DC6 Singers Collective / soloists: Aretha Scruggs, Loren Smith
Boogie Woogie Stomp - Albert Ammons, arr. Herman Jackson, Jamey Tate, Michael Valerio
Herman Jackson
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 - Bobby Troup, arr. Jamey Tate
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
St. James Infirmary - American Folk Song, arr. Rob Schaer
DC6 Singers Collective / soloists: Erinn Horton, Nina Kasuya, Loren Smith, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
The Things That I Used to Do - Guitar Slim, arr. Rob Schaer & Zach Yaholkovsky
Brandon Victor Dixon, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
I Got a Woman - Ray Charles & Renald Richard, arr. Matt Rohde
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
I Can’t Stop Loving You - Don Gibson, arr. Matt Rohde
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Let the Good Times Roll - Sam Theard & Fleecie Moore, arr. Rob Schaer
Brandon Victor Dixon, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
In the Heat of the Night - Quincy Jones Jr., Marilyn & Alan Bergman, arr. Jamey Tate
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
Georgia on My Mind - Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell, arr. Michael Valerio
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
America the Beautiful - Katharine Lee Bates & Samuel A. Ward, arr. Rob Schaer
Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra
According to Ray
Program
According to Ray
Featured Artists
![Artists - RBS [Recovered] (1)_BVD.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a07af2_7dc1b563fb204bcba25de525586fe09b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_275,h_345,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Artists%20-%20RBS%20%5BRecovered%5D%20(1)_BVD.png)
BRANDON VICTOR DIXON, VOCALS
Brandon Victor Dixon is a GRAMMY Award winner who has also been nominated for an Emmy, and 3 Tony Awards. A Presidential Scholar Semi-finalist, Brandon studied at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford, and is a graduate of Columbia University. Broadway: Hamilton, Shuffle Along (Tony nom.), The Color Purple (Tony nom.), Motown The Musical (Grammy nom.), The Scottsboro Boys (Olivier, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Audelco noms.), Hell’s Kitchen (Grammy Award & Tony nom.). @brandonvdixon on social platforms.
![Artists - RBS [Recovered] (1)_DC6.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a07af2_d90ff080256d4224882c333dab6f173a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_275,h_345,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Artists%20-%20RBS%20%5BRecovered%5D%20(1)_DC6.png)
DC6 SINGERS COLLECTIVE, VOCALS
DC6 Singers Collective (vocals) are a Los Angeles-based ensemble with roots in a cappella, gospel, doo wop, and R&B, but they fuse styles to transcend boundaries. They have collaborated with global music legends such as CeCe Winans, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Michael Bolton, and institutions like the San Francisco Symphony and LA Opera Orchestra. They frequently collaborate with longtime partners like MUSE/IQUE and local arts organizations that amplify the city’s rich cultural tapestry. @dc6singers on social platforms.
This special group works closely with MUSE/IQUE to develop and produce arrangements, advise on repertoire, and help bring the music to life.
Principal Arranger & Special Advisor to the Music Director Michael Valerio and resident arrangers Rob Schaer, Jamey Tate.
Additional arrangements by Matt Rohde and Herman Jackson.
MUSE/IQUE orchestra
Led by Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby
Violin I
Armen Anassian, Ashoka Thiagarajan, Lisa Dondlinger, and Marisa Kuney
Violin II
Ina Veli, Mina Hong, and Kayvon Sesar
Viola
Shawn Mann and Rodney Wirtz
Cello
Juan-Salvador Carrasco and Ismael Guerrero
Horn
Dylan Hart and Laura Brenes
Saxophone
Kirsten Edkins, Pat Posey, and Damon Zick
Trumpet
Rob Schaer, Chris Gray, and Sarah Bauza
Trombone
Ryan Dragon, Lori Stuntz, and Byron Sleugh
Organ
Alan Steinberger
Piano
Herman Jackson
Guitar
Michael Abraham
Bass
Michael Valerio
Drums
Jamey Tate
Brady Steel, Orchestra Manager. Caroline Boyce, Librarian.
This season is presented by LeeAnn and Ron Havner / JCS Family Foundation.
Additional Sponsors:
Anonymous (2), Avery and Andrew Barth, Michael Casey, Ellen and Harvey Knell, The Jerry and Terri Kohl Family Foundation, Ambassador Robert Kohorst and Shelley Allen, Debbie and Rick Powell, and Alyce de Roulet Williamson.