Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Eric Conway: Morgan Choir Sings for Benefit at Kennedy Center with big-name Comedians and Musicians















Dr. Eric Conway writes:

Hello all,

Last night, six members of the Morgan State University choir had another extraordinary experience.  We performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C to a huge near sold-out audience for a benefit to support Veterans and At-Risk Youth.  The David Lynch Foundation produced the event with a title of “A National Night of Laughter & Song”.   The main point of the evening for the Foundation was to promote Transcendental Mediation (TM) as a solution for the problems of both the veterans and youth.  

To be able to have an event at the Kennedy Center, you can imagine that it must be very well funded (see press release attached).  Katie Couric was the host for the evening.  Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) was one of the celebrities speaking to the benefits of Transcendental Meditation.  Many huge names from the entertainment industry were on site to participate including comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and Margaret Cho.  Two of the musicians who were there to sing were three-time Grammy Award-winner Angelique Kidro and popular vocalist Kesha. The Morgan choir was asked to provide backup for these two vocalists.  Despite our busy schedule in just returning from Spain/Portugal, we could not say "no" this opportunity.  

I must say as noble as the idea to have transcendental meditation help support the problems of our veterans and youth, somehow, as great as meditation may be, I find it difficult to believe that many members of these two groups would ever spend twenty minutes a day meditating.  At the end of the day, this was a delightful evening with some very funny comedians and powerful performances from musicians which had everyone encouraged at the end of the event. 

See attached a program from last evening.  See some photos of some of the artists that we were able to snag for a photo or selfie or two.  See attached a clip from the Seinfeld routine which was very funny!  Also, see some YouTube clips from our rehearsals the night before and a peak into the live performances from backstage.

As tired as we were from our recent tour,  members of the Morgan State University choir were glad to be associated with this charitable event.

EC

YouTube link of rehearsal of Afrika with Angelique Kidro:

YouTube link of rehearsal of Bob Dylan’s I shall be Released with Kesha:

YouTube link of performance of Afrika with Angelique Kidro:

YouTube link of performance of Bob Dylan’s I shall be Released with Kesha:

YouTube link of finale of Evening of Laughter and Song with all artists on stage:

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle
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Eric Conway, D.M.A.
Fine and Performing Arts Department, Chair
Morgan State University
1700 East Cold Spring Lane
Carl Murphy Fine Arts Center, Room 329C
Baltimore, MD 21251

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