Dr. Eric Conway writes:
On
Thursday, May 30, 2019, the Morgan State University choir departed from
the United Kingdom for the United States at 5:15 AM from our hotel.
Again, we flew Aer Lingus, an Irish airline through Dublin, Ireland to
Dulles airport in Washington, DC. We would conclude our eleven day tour
of the United Kingdom where we toured three of the four countries in the
United Kingdom (UK) - Scotland, Wales, and England, saving Northern
Ireland for another excursion. We were scheduled to arrive in Dulles by
3:35 PM after a seven hour flight back to DC, however, due to extreme
weather conditions at Dulles airport, our flight was diverted to
Richmond, VA until the weather conditions improved. We did not finally
arrive Dulles until 6PM, to not arrive back to campus until after 9PM.
Politically,
this was an interesting time for our Morgan choir to visit the UK, in
that Theresa May, the Prime Minister resigned while we were in their
country. Although, her resignation was not exactly unexpected, after the
country voted for a referendum to break away from the European Union,
however, May was not able to make that happen, with virtually all the
other countries opposing the decision. May stepped aside to allow
someone else to broker the severance, although, I do not believe anyone
will be successful. I believe as do many Brits that it is in the best
interests of the UK to stay in the European Union for Britain's and the
world’s sake!
At the same time, our US
President, Donald Trump, was going to visit the UK, with his entire
family in the coming days. After several conversations with many
local citizens, they believe that there will be many protests and much
police presence in place for the visit, which will cost the country a
fortune to implement. It is interesting how world-wide, like the United
States, many foreign countries' conservative and nationalist groups feel
empowered to let their views be known, unlike any other time in recent
history.
Having not been in the UK since 1985
when I backpacked across Europe while in college, many things had
changed since I was there last. As one looked around London,
construction and scaffolding was everywhere - a sign of progress and
prosperity. Many new buildings are being built. Our American Embassy in
London, just eighteen months old, that cost a billion dollars to
construct, is the first in a section that will house many countries'
embassies, much like our Embassy row in Washington. We were looking
forward to seeing the iconic Big Ben clock tower, however,
unfortunately, there was scaffolding around the clock tower, only
revealing the hands of the clock for tourists to see. In 1985, the
currency exchange rate was not very good for the US dollar against the
pound. Due in part to the recent British referendum, the pound was not
as strong against the dollar, which was good for all American tourists
traveling to the UK. We were able to acquire at least twenty-five
percent greater exchange rate than in 1985, as I recall. Additionally,
many tourists who have visited Great Britain have stated that the food
was rather ordinary, especially when compared to France or Italy. The
Morgan group enjoyed virtually every meal served to us. Our guide said
that she too, being a Londoner, has noticed improvement in British
cuisine over the years.
The concerts were
enthusiastically received. I have personally received several emails
thanking the choir for bringing our choir to the UK (see below). The
rector at Gresham Centre, the site of our last concert, told me "their
six hundred year old church had never heard music quite so spirited and
believed that the place will never be the same!” During this tour, none
of the choir members became significantly ill during the tour. The
shadow group of thirteen individuals supported the group in a fantastic
way, enjoying every concert as though it was their first.
Most
importantly, the Morgan students, NO, Morgan ambassadors represented
Morgan in a magnificent manner! All who heard the choir, will not forget
the music (if for no other reason than capturing it on their
smartphones). But also will not forget the choir because of the
happiness that concertgoers felt while hearing our music. For many, this
was an introduction into the notion of the HBCU in which is exclusively
American where Europeans have no knowledge.
Much
of the United Kingdom now knows a bit more about American music and
specifically the music of the Morgan State University choir.
See everyone stateside!
Eric
Begin forwarded message:
From: alessandra russell <alessandrarussell@googlemail.com>
Subject: Thank you & praises 🙌🏻
Date: May 28, 2019 at 11:39:57 PM GMT+1
Dear Eric and Choir,
Your
performance tonight in London was so exceptional, I felt very lucky to
be there and wanted to say thank you so much for giving us all of your
energy, spirit and joy today. And for singing a beautiful mix of music -
every song moved me and will stick in my memory for sure. Have a safe
trip home and please come and visit us again soon :)
Ali
No comments:
Post a Comment