Monday, January 18, 2021

Eric Conway: Morgan State University Choir Sings Charles Dickerson's "I Have a Dream" during Spring 2012 Concert

Maestro Charles Dickerson
Conductor and Composer

Eric Conway writes:

Hello all,

On this day, when our country celebrates the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I am reminded of an extraordinary composition by Charles Dickerson that the Morgan choir sang many years ago.  The words of Dr. King's iconic “I Have a Dream” speech were masterfully set to music by Dickerson.  When the Morgan choir sang this piece in other countries like Brazil or Australia,  the audience would tear-up, get emotional, and stand-up in a rousing ovation at the end of our performances.  I believe they reacted not so much because they liked our performance, but more in support of Dr. King's vision in his speech.  His speech is known world-wide!  America is perhaps the first country to articulate the proposition of a democratic republic in our constitution.  Many other nations have subsequently tried to recreate the extraordinary system of government we enjoy in our country.

If you get a chance, please listen to our 2012 performance of Dickerson’s “I Have a Dream”.  I believe listening to this rousing composition will re-connect you with the still inspiring words of Dr. King’s speech in a way never before experienced.

Eric

Link to Morgan Choir performance of Charles Dickerson’s I Have a Dream”:

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

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