Arts on the Square, a series of musical and visual arts events, will present tenor Jonathan Walker-VanKuren in "Songs My Mother Taught Me," a program of African American spirituals, at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Second St., Harrisburg, on Friday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. The event will celebrate Black History Month.

During the 2019-20 season, Walker-VanKuren premiered his solo voice recital "Songs My Mother Taught Me," which is a celebration of African American history through spirituals. Among the pieces on the program are "My Good Lord's Done Been Here," "My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord," "Scandalize My Name," "Witness," "Deep River," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Ride On, King Jesus!"

Walker-VanKuren is an African American educator and tenor whose stage career has included performing works of the jazz, musical theater, art song, and opera repertoires. He has sung the tenor solo in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Haydn's "Paukenmesse," and Carter's "Cantata," among others. Walker-VanKuren loves African American spirituals and is a strong proponent of their inclusion in classical recitals.

Walker-VanKuren holds a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Music from Michigan State University, and an Artist Diploma in voice from Texas Christian University. He is currently an assistant professor of voice and an artist teacher of studio voice and music theater at Lebanon Valley College (LVC) while also maintaining an active recital and operatic performing schedule.

Collaborative pianist Tyler A. Canonico will join with Walker-VanKuren in the upcoming program. Canonico, a graduate of LVC, holds a master's degree in organ performance from the University of Alabama. He studied piano and organ with Kathie Metz and Shelly Moorman-Stahlman. He is minister of music and organist at Market Square Church and artistic director of Arts on the Square. In addition, Canonico is an adjunct instructor of music at LVC, where he conducts the more than 70-member College Choir.

A freewill offering will be received. Free parking in the adjacent Market Square Garage is provided by the church, which is accessible to people with disabilities. People should enter the church from the first level of the garage or use the event entrance on Second Street.

Arts on the Square will present musical performances and visual arts events throughout the 2023-24 season. For a complete schedule, visit http://www.marketsquarechurch.org/concerts or http://www.facebook.com/artsonthesquareMSPC.