Yes, I know the old adage says “Practice, practice, practice”, but I’m clear from my recent experience with singing in Carnegie Hall, the truth of the matter is that it takes supreme LOVE.

In a superb celebration of Black History Month, Dr. Jacqueline Hairston brought together nearly 300 voices, representing choirs from around the country, to perform an original, soul-inspiring tribute to Negro Spirituals at the famed Carnegie Hall. 

I was there, in the center of it all, witnessing the magic of Love expressed as music and song.  Transcending the appearance of our individual differences, our combined choir was interracial, inter-generational, multicultural, interdenominational, crossing all so-called boundaries of religion, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, economic status.  We were One People, lifting our voices in tribute to our common desire for love and freedom.

The love began with our ancestors’ intention for survival, moving beyond the struggle, clinging firmly to the promise of guidance, grace and deliverance.  It was interpreted through masters like Jester Hairston and our beloved Jacqueline Hairston, who wove the feeling, the artistry, the call-and-response of the tradition, and the symphony of piano, orchestra, soloists and choir to create a palpable, living, breathing experience of the meaning of each of the Negro Spirituals.

Each choir practiced separately for almost a year, tenaciously and joyously learning note by note, getting to bond and fall in love with each other through our sectionals, excitedly looking forward to connecting with the other choirs on February 19.  We came from Detroit, Seattle, Buckeye Arizona, Northern and Southern California to merge in New York City on February 17.  And when we met for our first rehearsal together, we were already in an aura of a love that was bigger than anything that “made sense”.  We could feel it:  Something historical and transformational was happening…

And on that Sunday, as singers and audience alike, we felt and transmitted the ancestor’s moans, their cries, the weariness, the determination to keep going, the faith beyond the fear, the exhilarating  triumph, freedom, Joie de Vivre and Hallelujah!  We were in tears, the audience was on their feet, the sound was electrifying.  In that one hour on stage, transformation and healing happened.

Thank you, Dr. Jacqui, for drawing us all into your love and understanding through the music.  Carnegie Hall, and I, will never be the same.  And I will continue to share the love!

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul”. Plato.