Faculty, students and guest choirs come together for a concert celebrating Black History Month curated by the School of Music’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Committee and in partnership with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA). Hosted by CAAPA's Executive Director Terri Allen with remarks by the College of Arts and Humanities’ Dean Bonnie Thornton Dill, this jubilant celebration will shine a light on history and amplify the call for racial justice in the present through spirituals, narration, poetry and other musical works by Black composers. Guest choirs include the CAAPA Chorale, the Carter Legacy Singers and the Heritage Signature Chorale. The program will also feature the UMD Symphony Orchestra’s virtual performance of George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and conclude with the Black National Anthem Lift Every Voice and Sing, originally presented over the summer by Nicole Heaston of the Purple Robe Song Series and performed by professional singers including voice and opera faculty Kevin Short. Additional School of Music faculty featured on the concert are soprano Carmen Balthrop, pianist Lester Green and UMD Symphony Orchestra director David Neely.

This event was pre-recorded for the health and safety of the artists and staff. This virtual performance will be available for you to watch from home on Vimeo. Please do not come to the building.