Eric Conway on Morgan State University Choir's Last Day In Jamaica

Dr. Eric Conway, Director of the Morgan State University Choir, www.msuchoir.org, writes:

Morgan State University choir community:

Our Jamaican tour comes to an end!  Although a short tour, with an extraordinary cultural exchange component for both the choir to learn the history and culture of Jamaica, and the people of Jamaica to hear the choir and learn of the great Morgan State University, it was clear yesterday that one of the primary reasons for the invitation was to perform for Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater's big Fourth of July State Dinner bash at her residence on yesterday, July 2, 2012.  I am told that this dinner was one of the biggest events on the island in quite some time.  Unfortunately, you were only there if the Ambassador invited you personally.  The Ambassador invited absolutely every governmental official on the island to this celebration of the 236th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.  Jamaica does not have a President, but the country does have a Prime Minister as chief executive, the Honorable Portia Simpson Miller who attended the event, only moments after landing from an international flight.  Every member of her appointed cabinet was present, including Morgan alumnus Anthony Hylton, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Please see attached program from last evening.  Fortunately, the evening was about as cool and clear as one could have hoped for during the first days of July in Jamaica.  At 6PM, a short ceremony before dinner began with the posting of the colors by the US Marine Corps Color Guard. The National anthems of both Jamaica and United States were played.  The first remarks were given by His Excellency - Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen - who is the Queen's representative on the island of Jamaica - a mostly ceremonial position.  Ambassador Bridgewater welcomed everyone to her humble residence - please see photos of how humble the residence was. The Ambassador's U.S. theme for the Jamaican Golden Anniversary was "Celebrating the Ties That Bind: 50 Years of Friendship".  She gave a brief account of the relationship that the United States had with Jamaica since 1962.  Finally, the Honorable Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's Prime Minister gave remarks, sharing with the audience the diplomatic love-affair between Jamaica and the United States - much because of the recent leadership of Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater - former Morgan State University political science faculty member.

After the opening short ceremony, the invited guests then preceded to walk to a tent where a formal state dinner was served.  The choir did not eat with the VIP's,  however did receive another fine meal on the patio, prepared by the Ambassador's executive chef.  At 8PM, after dinner was completely served, the guests then moved to entertainment tent, with a clear transparent ceiling to see the stars, where the Morgan State University Choir presentation was made.  The tent was a little warm for the performers, but was needed as a contingency for rain - much too big an event to be rained out!  We only sang music that was requested by the Ambassador from our earlier programs.  In addition to the repertoire in earlier programs, the Ambassador specifically asked if we could sing Nathan Carter's "Great is Thy Faithfulness".  Her husband, a baptist minister from North Carolina, especially enjoyed this selection.  Throughout the program, one could see that she was so very proud of her Morgan State Choir.  As with our recent tour to Brazil, I programmed Charles Dickerson's "I Have a Dream" based on the immortal "I Have a Dream" speech given by Martin Luther King.  Although this piece was successful at every concert, as Dr. King's speech from 1963 still resonates around the world, even to the shores of distant Jamaica; last evening, much of the audience was American from the staff of the US Embassy to Jamaica and/or guests who had American interests at heart and especially appreciated this offering of freedom.  As this piece was especially selected by the Ambassador, she crafted her opening ceremonial remarks to take advantage of this King text.

At the end the emcee said that Ambassador Bridgewater would be pressed to surpass this event in the future.  I was especially honored as Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who was seated at the right hand of the Ambassador,  approached me immediately after the concert, embraced me despite my stickiness from performing an hour concert in a relatively closed area,  kissed me on my cheek, expressed her satisfaction, and wished the choir and me only the best!

What an incredible honor, to be brought all the way from the United States to participate in this international event!  What a life lesson in political science! 

If this evening were not special enough, Rita Marley, Bob Marley's wife attended the event and visited with the choir. She enjoyed the evening, and only asked that the next time the choir visits Jamaica, to sing her husband's famous song: "One Love".  See photos attached with Rita Marley. Also see photos with Minister Anthony Hylton, his classmate Yvette Taylor who was a mentee of  Pamela Bridgewater, and her sister who taught at Morgan a few years ago in the English department, Dr. Tulani Salahdin.  This was a true Morgan reunion!

As we had several invitations from those who were in attendance to return to Jamaica, I do not believe that this will be our last time in this beautiful country.  The closing words of the evening were, in the best spirit of international competition sports:  "the USA will see Jamaica at the London Olympics track and field events, and may the best team win!"  What a great camaraderie!  

Eric Conway, D.M.A.

Fine and Performing Arts Department, Chairperson

Morgan State University