Using Music and the Arts To Promote Human Understanding

Southington 16th Annual MLK Celebration: Message pairs music and using personal talents to promote understanding.

Originally published in the Southington Citzen January 20, 2012.

A frigid Sunday, January 15, 2012 didn’t deter a large and brave audience from attending the 16th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration at First Baptist Church in Southington. Cheryl Hilton-Campbell, event M.C., gently led the program. “Living Martin King, Jr.’s Legacy in the 21st Century:. The event opened with a cordial welcome and invocation by Rev. Jerrie Shepard Matney, pastor of the hosting church, included musical selections of the youth choral group known as Spirit Joy which under the leadership of Sr. Marie Roccapiore, performed uplifting music of God, country and hope for humanity. Dr. Aaron A. Flagg, Dean of the Hartt School was guest speaker. In his remarks, he suggested that “we reflect on three qualities Dr. King lived which impacted his effectiveness in leading: A passion for people and their potential, courage and moral leadership and great knowledge and intellectual integrity.”

Combining his extensive background in music at the higher education level as well as his intertwined professional career as an accomplished trumpet player, Flagg offered some practical thoughts on “how the arts can encourage and assist us living them ourselves.” The speaker’s message was one for the present and the future based on the heritage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and lifetime commitment to all men living together in peace, harmony and love of one another, free of prejudice and hatred based on diversity of color, creed, race, ethnic origins and other differences.

Drawing upon his musical expertise, Flagg spoke of the similarities in rhythm and lyrics of the final movement of Beethoven’s 9th (Chorale) Symphony and the lyrics and rhythm of “We Shall Overcome”, a protest song of the 1960’s considered an anthem of the civil rights movement. Flagg referred to music as a universal instrument of celebration of the feelings, emotions, passions and love of humans adding that the idea carries forward to all of the arts, be it dance, painting, poetry, voice and other forms of communication. The central theme was that it is for everyone to use our diverse talents to communicate and sustain the message of Dr. King into the future. Flagg encouraged audience participation in the stamp-clap and alternate stamp-clap-clap along with singing of some of the music provided by the Spirit Joy singers, awakening a spirit of joy to those present.

The program included a presentation of the 2012 MLK Awards by town councilman Chris Palmieri, to this year’s awardees, Alexander Statkevich of John F. Kennedy Middle School and Natalia Gimenez of Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School. Palmieri, who is also vice principal of DePaolo, commented that the award was for students who consistently demonstrate an awareness of the world around them who are engaged in service to the community and King’s spirit. Palmieri noted that he personally holds the two awardees in high esteem for their mature and gentle view of the world around them.

A lively reception in the parlor and church hall followed with hospitality being provided by members of First Baptist Church and Bread for Life, including Executive Director, Eldon Hafford and Board Members Shirley Mason and Manmohan “Manny” Bharara Singh and church member and former executive director of BFL, Darlene Steele. Event coordinator chairwoman, Phyllis Wade, said the celebration was “unbelievable. Dr. Flagg was among was one of our top speakers” in the 16-year history of the program. She said she was particularly taken by how he drew the audience into participating and how all components tied together. “It was wonderful,” she said.