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Juilliard Honors the Memory of Martin Luther King Jr. With Annual Celebration By SABRINA TANBARA
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"We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone."
Excerpt from the “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on August 28, 1963, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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"We cannot walk alone." These words resonated in Paul Hall as a recording of
Dr. King was played at the start of the 16th annual M.L.K. Celebration. From
fighting social injustice to perpetuating a strong educational environment,
this sentence encapsulates how human beings exist in this world. For this
year's celebration, the M.L.K. Celebration Committee asked participants to dig
deep within themselves and share their thoughts on this sentence through their
art. On Monday, January 19, 2004, they did just that. Paul Hall came alive
with love and spirit inspired by the work of Dr. King.
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| Drama Division intern Patryce Williams sang “The Invitation,” written by Oriah Mountain Dreamer with lyrics from America Made by Nels’on Ellis. (Photo by Hiroyuki Ito) |
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Cedric Harris, Drama Division alumnus from Group 22, reprised his role as the
director for this year's celebration. Mr. Harris successfully incorporated Dr.
King's philosophies with Juilliard's forte, the performing arts. Collaborating
with him was Christine Clemmons, a 2003 Vocal Arts alumna, as this year's
music director. Both worked many hours with students from all divisions to
transform these inspiring words into performance pieces for the celebration.
The Celebration Gospel Choir, made up of students from all divisions as well
as staff members, sang pieces that reflected the notion that individuals need
to stand and work together to bring Dr. King's vision of an equal and just
society into reality. All of the pieces incorporated themes of unity,
introspection about one's own beliefs, family, and love. The celebration, as a
whole, demonstrated the value of diversity, interdisciplinary cooperation,
collaboration, teamwork, and the coming together of individuals from different
settings to pay homage to a great leader and human being, Reverend Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. The passion and energy emanating from the performers and the
audience proved that Dr. King's vision and hope is still alive in all of us
today.
—Sabrina Tanbara
Director of Student Affairs
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