Central State University and partners scream UNITY, PEACE, LOVE, LONGING, and REMEMBERING in concert

Pictured above: Dr. Carlos Brown, Central State University director of choral activities and assistant professor of music, and members of the Grammy-nominated Central State University Chorus

This spring, Grammy-nominated Central State University Chorus joined forces with Grammy-nominated and nationally recognized gospel soloist, Callie Day, and the Covington-based Viva Voices Choral Organization’s Chorale and Chamber Ensemble to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Dr. King’s inspiring words and legacy were honored through song on April 22, 2023, at Allen Temple AME Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

The combined group of over 125 singers and instrumentalists performed a diverse program of choral and solo repertoire of varying styles — classical, gospel, spirituals, and pop. This powerful concert was conducted by Dr. Carlos Brown, Central State University director of choral activities and assistant professor of music, and Viva Voices Artistic Director, Tony Burdette. Portions of Dr. King’s iconic speech were orated by Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones. 

On a sweltering August day in 1963, Dr. King stood at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial and faced a group of over 200,000 tired, hopeful, civil rights demonstrators at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. His powerful refrain, "I Have a Dream," rang from the podium and became the heart and soul of the March on Washington — and it is still ringing today. 

"Dr. King’s historic speech still speaks to us today," Brown said. "This concert screams UNITY, PEACE, LOVE, LONGING, and REMEMBERING. ... The musical selections presented during the concert represent a conglomeration of ideas, themes, and colors. In essence, a true mountaintop experience.” 

Messer Construction was the presenting sponsor for the concert.