IC News

The power of music to inspire, energize, and build community was very much in evidence on Monday, February 7, at Ithaca College’s annual concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A rousing mix of spirituals, gospels, chorales, opera, rap, and musical theatre, together with African drumming and dance, brass, percussion, wind, jazz, concert band and orchestral pieces, raised the roof—and lifted spirits.

“It felt good for the soul!” said Ithaca resident Trena Haffenden. “And I was so impressed by all the talent. I felt the passion, the hope, and the commitment to continue Dr. King’s work.”

Held in Glazer Arena in the college’s Athletics and Event Center, the event saw the School of Music and the Department of Theatre Arts joining forces in advance of the establishment of the college’s new School of Music, Theatre, and Dance in July. More than 400 students participated alongside faculty, community members, and guest artists. Their collective joy and excitement at performing in person before an audience — in some cases for the first time in two years — was palpable.

“It was a beautiful spirit of cooperation,” said associate professor of music education  Baruch Whitehead, who spearheaded the event. “But while the beauty of the music is going to carry the day, we also want people to reflect on the message in these pieces. We are all in this together, and when we come together and stand in solidarity with each other, we are powerful.”

Voice performance major Madison Hoerbelt ’22 felt the collaboration showcased how much mutual admiration already exists between the two programs. “I felt a really large sense of community,” she said.

The college’s West African Drumming and Dance Ensemble and Brass Ensemble opened the program, followed by a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — also known as the Black national anthem — by the Ithaca College chorus, choir, and concert band, along with the Dorothy Cotton Jubliee Singers. In keeping with the theme of unity, the audience was invited to stand and join in the singing of the first verse.

A soaring rendition of “Fanfare for the Common Man,” an homage to King by the brass and percussion ensembles, was followed by the world premiere of “A Renewed America,” based on a speech by the late civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis.

“He talks about, ‘When will America live up to its creed? When will we see justice done for all people?’” said Whitehead. “Even though it was back in 1963, those same words are still applicable today.”

Traditional spirituals — by turns soulful, stirring, powerful, and poignant — preceded excerpts from King’s “What is Your Life’s Blueprint?” speech.

Rounding out the first half of the musical program was the exhilarating gospel piece “I’m Prepared to Praise Him,” which filled the arena and electrified the audience.

After those performances, assistant professor of physician assistant studies Susan Salahshor, founding program director of IC’s new physician assistant program, reflected on King’s legacy for medicine. Interim President La Jerne Terry Cornish spoke of what she hoped both the audience and participants alike would take away from the concert.

“I ask that we take away from this moment an understanding of how beautiful and strong we are when we are together,” Cornish said. “I ask, too, that we take away from this moment how different we are from one another — and how this diversity is our strength and not our weakness.”

The second half of the concert opened with performances by the college’s vocal jazz and wind ensembles before a montage of video clips, displayed text, and footage of King speaking was displayed on a big screen. Theatre arts students then got into the act with an exuberant romp through two numbers sung by the cast of the Ithaca College Theatre production of “Rent.”