The Truth Staff
Maestro Antoine Clark directed the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in a program of music to celebrate Black History Month on Sunday, February 22 at St. Martin de Porres Church. The program included compositions by Black musicians such as William Grant Still. This year’s theme was “God’s Mosaic Masterpiece.”
The orchestra was joined by the Clarence Smith Community Chorus.
The evening’s concert began with “Hope from Sinfonietta of Dreams” by composer Jeff Scott. Scott, a French hornist, composer and educator, specializes in compositions which he terms “Urban Classical Music.
A Suite of Dances by composer Florence Price followed – “Allegretto: Rabbit Foot;” “Allegretto: Hoe Cake;” “Allegretto molto: Ticklin’ Toes.” Price, a classical composer, pianist and music teacher was the first African American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer and the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra.
“Darker America” by Still followed. Still composed nearly 200 works, including five symphonies, four ballets, nine operas and more than 30 choral works. He was an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance.
After an intermission, the presentation of the St. Katherine Drexel Awards followed. According to the organizing committee, the St. Katherine Drexel Awards are given to outstanding individuals “who express the spirit of St. Katherine Drexel’s mission by their dedication and commitment to celebrating the diversity of people who make a beautiful masterpiece of God’s gifts.”
This year’s honorees were Drs Zaheer and Samina Hasan; Joseph and Joyce Moran.
Dr. Zaheer Hasan, a neurologist is chair of the United Muslims Association of Toledo and Islamic Society of Northwest Ohio. He has also served on the Community Relations Board and is a founding member of the United Muslims Association of Toledo.
Dr. Samina Hasan is a practicing family physician and co-founder of the United Muslim Association of Toledo and has had a longstanding participation with the Multifaith Council of Toledo.
Joseph Moran, an adjunct professor for 20 years in the sociology department at Lourdes University is a volunteer with Salem Lutheran Church, St Paul’s Community Center, Read for Literacy, Meals on Wheels and is a mentor for an inmate in the Ohio prison system.
Joyce Reichin Moran, a retired social worker, has served on a number of non-profit boars and volunteers at the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, Meals on Wheels, Salem Lutheran Church, the Toledo Repair Café and the Multifaith Blood Drive.
The musical program continued after the award ceremony with “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by J.R. Johnson and J.W. Johnson. The Clarence Smith Community Chorus presented a selection of songs.
The 36th Annual Black History Month Concert was organized by Sister Virginia Welsh, pastoral leader of St. Martin de Porres Parish, and the church symphony committee.
“Like the beautiful mosaic above the altar, our community is made up of the variety of peoples that come together to make us strong,” wrote Sister Virginia. “Our cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious differences create a beautiful mosaic of God’s love. They create a masterpiece.”