Opera artists to help celebrate Martin Luther King's dream

By Larry Muhammad • lmuhammad@courier-journal.com • January 12, 2010

It's six minutes long, celebrates the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in song and is composed by Louisville jazz musician Harry Pickens based on speeches of President Barack Obama.

“I reviewed about 50 of his speeches,” Pickens said of the piece, commissioned by the Kentucky Opera, “and in one he talked about a chorus of millions, beginning with one voice, resounding throughout the nation.”

Titled “A Chorus of Hope” and sung to Pickens' accompaniment by opera studio artists Erica Cochran and Phillip Morgan, the performance is one of seven in “Celebrate Your Dream,” a free concert Sunday at St. Stephen Church.

It's all part of the 23rd Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award ceremonies, recognizing the contributions of Louisville citizens in promoting justice, peace and racial harmony.

Deanna Hoying, director of education at the Kentucky Opera who organized the artists' collaboration, said, “The King concert was typically held at The Brown hotel, but having it in the community seemed like a good fit. And it also seemed appropriate that it be held at St. Stephen because Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby is a past recipient of the Freedom Award.”

This year, Mayor Jerry Abramson will present the award to former Courier-Journal editor Merv Aubespin.

In addition to the Pickens composition, there are musical and theatrical performances by River City Drum Crops, Arts Reach musicians and dancers, Louisville Central Community Center Choir, Voices of Kentuckiana, members of the Louisville Youth Orchestra, and the Walden Theatre.

“This is a fabulous program and very important,” Pickens said, “not only to celebrate Dr. King but also to inspire us to make a better tomorrow.”

Reporter Larry Muhammad can be reached at (502) 582-7091.