I read this article a few weeks ago and thought that it provided an interesting background to Black History Month. I also appreciated the exposition of the power of music to teach about the past and to help create a more just and inclusive world. It’s a fairly short article but it gave me a jumping off point to look for more information.
I have included a few excerpts that I found interesting. Read the entire article here.
Over the years, the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus has sung a number of the songs referenced in the article. There has been a little discussion of the background of these songs and this article sheds more light on their origins and possible meaning. I believe that when we know more about the songs we sing, it can bring a greater depth to the emotional connection and enhance our performance.
My interest is also on a more personal note; my great grandfather was an ex-enslaved person from Virginia. I knew a part of his story, but I had to do a lot of digging to get to know more about him and his family. His daughter, my great aunt Felicia, was one of the first two African American women to graduate from Willmantic College in Connecticut in 1906. She received her degree in teaching and taught at a school in her home county. After about a year she was forced out of her position by white people who didn’t want a black person teaching their children. There was quite a controversy at the time with many people on both sides. Ultimately, she had to leave because of threats of violence.
~article written by Mel Terry
Black History Month: Using Music to Teach About the Past
by Mary Rogelstad
The idea for Black History Month was developed during a difficult time for African Americans in the United States. In 1926, segregation and racial violence against the black community was widespread. Amid this struggle, a man named Carter Woodson, now known as the Father of Black History, wanted to find a way to celebrate African American achievements.
With his help, the second week in February was set aside for this purpose. It was designed to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Decades later in 1976, the celebration was extended to a month, and themes were created each year. In 2020 the focus is on voting rights for African Americans – marking the anniversaries of the passing of the 15th and 19th amendments.
Black History Month provides many cocurricular opportunities to use music to teach students about the struggle for freedom and civil rights and the important role prominent African Americans have played in history.
From “Ragtime” Make Them Hear You
is an example of a composition that speaks to audiences in different ways over time. In the show, the song is performed by an African American character who wants the stories about his people’s struggle for justice to be shared with future generations.
“So many groups have seen themselves in that song,” composer Stephen Flaherty said. “It’s about believing in the power of your voice and the need to speak up.”
As the title says, “Make Them Hear You.”
Read the entire article here.
Voices from our Chorus David Guerra on Sewing Costumes, Singing Truths, and Finding Family By June Kamerling
Voices from our Chorus Fred Rogers Reflects on His OaklandGMC Journey By June Kamerling
Conducting Change: A Chat with Bruce Southard, D.M.A.
Support the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus this Pride Month!
By Seth Frost (He/Him), Board Secretary, Baritone. As we welcome Pride Month, it's a time to reflect, celebrate, and honor the journey of the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus (OGMC). Our chorus was established in 1999, and since joining in 2018, I have been proud to be part of this vibrant community. From my very first interaction, I felt a warm embrace, an invitation to be part of something bigger than myself. For many, like myself, OGMC has been a core connection to the queer community, especially for those who came out later in life. Performing shows is more than a passion; it's our way of enriching the broader community in Oakland and the SF Bay Area, showcasing the joy found in queer life. At the heart of OGMC is our mission statement: "The Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus gives voice through song to a community where everyone matters." This guiding principle shapes everything we do. Being in a chorus means standing bravely in public, singing, supporting each other, and creating something more beautiful than any of us could achieve alone. This Pride Month, we're particularly excited about our 25th Anniversary Season, featuring "You Can’t Stop The Beat." This show is a showcase of our talents, with small ensemble and solo pieces prepared by our members. It's also a preview of the music we'll be taking to the national GALA festival in Minneapolis later this summer. Songs like "True Colors" are on the lineup, and I can't wait to see my friends shine. Celebrating Pride in Oakland and at the GALA Festival is especially significant this year. Our recent commission from Marques L. A. Garrett, requested by popular demand, highlights the collaborative spirit of our members. This show, filled with solos and special performances, is a true celebration of our talented membership. What does Pride mean to you? Seth Frost (He/Him), Board Secretary, Baritone. Pride is a call to step forward and assert that we matter, that our voices deserve to be heard. Pride events counteract hate and help heal the shame within ourselves. Singing loudly and proudly, we offer comfort and a beacon to those who can't yet express themselves authentically. Our year-round performances often end with the chorus spreading out around the audience, fostering a sense of community, welcome, and safety for all. June Kamerling (She/Her), Tenor 1 Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQ community and all it stands for. By participating in events like Oakland Pride and Alameda Pride, we give back to the community and practice visibility and inclusion. The impact of our events is profound, creating a supportive community where everyone feels they belong. Shawn Simon (He/Him), Board Vice President, Base Pride means being able to love ourselves unconditionally and seeing others empowered to live authentically. It's important to celebrate Pride to remind ourselves of our worth, connect with our community, and honor our history. Organizing events like our concerts has been profoundly impactful, creating an inclusive community and supporting local organizations.
By Melvin Terry March 31st was declared Cesar Chavez Day in 2014 by President Barack Obama. Cesar Chavez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) founded along with Delores Huerta the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to become the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union . International Women’s Day was first celebrated in the early 20th century and became a mainstream global holiday in 1977. It helps to focus attention on women and concerns such as gender equality, equal wages, and violence and abuse against women. Another important issue is the lack of attention paid to the substantial contributions of women.
By Melvin Terry Oakland is a diverse vibrant community with a goldilocks climate and an assortment of parks and trails with opportunities for exercise, socializing, and stunning visuals. It also has the benefits and drawbacks that come with a large city. But did you know about the history of Black migration to Oakland in the 1940’s and the rich culture that flourished in West Oakland back then? 7th Street, now the home of West Oakland BART and the sprawling main post office, was the hub of the community. There were many Black owned businesses and music venues. It was bustling and the place to be.
By Melvin Terry It doesn’t seem so long ago when I first heard of GALA (GayLa), a sort of choral Olympics where queer folks from around the world get together every four years to celebrate our existence and joyously sing for each other. Well, it was 16 years ago, when I first joined the then Oakland East-Bay Gay Men’s Chorus in 2007.