We all know by now that mid-19th-century Buffalo played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. Thousands of fugitive slaves made their way across the Niagara River to freedom in Canada, aided along the way by local conductors in Buffalo safe-houses. Perhaps that’s why this weekend’s upcoming choral program, Music of the Heart & Soul, is such a fitting choice for the Buffalo Choral Arts Society’s spring performance. The show, which happens on Saturday and will be repeated on Sunday, is a celebration of African-American spirituals and folk songs whose messages were ones of hope, faith, and freedom to an entire people living in the dark chains of slavery. Guest conducting will be acclaimed composer and arranger of choral music, André J. Thomas (pictured). Besides conducting choirs around the world in Asia, Europe, and North America, Thomas has composed several spirituals, including “The Drinking Gourd,” “I Dream a World,” and “Keep Your Lamps,” some of which will be a part of the show. In addition, Thomas has selected works by Moses Hogan and John Rutter. The concert will feature an appearance by Alemaedae Theatre Productions, who will perform an introduction to “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” a song that was supposedly used by an Underground Railroad operative to provide escape instructions. “The Drinking Gourd” itself is thought to be a code name for the Big Dipper star cluster, directing fleeing slaves north from Mobile, Alabama to the Ohio River and freedom.

—peter koch

7:30pm Saturday, 5pm Sunday. Slee Hall @ UB’s North Campus (812-1541/buffalochoralarts.org). $15