As part of this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, Andiel Brown, the director of Gospel Choirs and Ensembles at the University of Oregon, and the UO Gospel Singers put on their fourth annual music performance in honor of Dr. King and his contributions to the fight against racism and discrimination.
Brown said the diversity that a performance like this represents the essence of the MLK holiday with people of different races, religions, ages and walks of life working together as one to create music.
“This is about solidarity, to bring people together under a common goal. To do something together. That bonds people more than anything else. When we’re all fighting for the same thing,” said Brown in an interview after the performance. “I’m grateful that we can celebrate our history. Black History is not just black history; it’s American history and it is great that we can come together to celebrate it.”
The performance was a spectacular interactive experience as Brown and the other performers actively encouraged audience participation in a traditional gospel fashion.
Before the main event, Dr. Johnny Lake, UO graduate and professor at Northwest Christian University, spoke to the audience about the importance of recognizing discrimination in one’s community, as well as urging them to mentor the youth in order to create a more accepting culture.
The first performance was by special guests Kati Hernandez, Bobby Wilmore, Afimayi Galarraga and Lázaro Galarraga, as they showcased Afro-Cuban culture through folkloric dance, song and use of percussion instruments. Several performers entered the theatre from the main entrance and danced their way through the crowd before taking the stage and enticing the audience to clap along to the beat of the music.
Afterwards, the main event started with Brown encouraging the audience to sing along to “Lift Every Voice And Sing,” a song commonly regarded as the unofficial black national anthem. From there Brown led the singers through several gospel songs, such as “My Name is Victory” and “My Desire,” while also actively encouraging the audience to stand, clap and participate in the singing.
Brown was pleased with the energy and excitement that the audience and singers brought during the performance, despite it being less elaborate than previous years, which featured a full band with saxophone and electric guitar accompaniment.
Admission to the event was free; Brown’s belief is since the civil rights movement was propagated by the power of Gospel music, no one should have to pay to be a part of the celebration.
Watch the video below, in which the UO Gospel Choir prepared for a national competition in 2011.