Yesterday high school students from across the country participated in a workshop to learn about how music influenced the Civil Rights Movement. A number of entertainers participated, including John Legend, Smokey Robinson, John Mellencamp, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon.
Later that night, due to an impending snow storm, “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” was moved up one day and the concert took place in the East Room. Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir, and The Freedom Singers, featuring Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Rutha Harris, Charles Neblett and Toshi Reagon were among the performers. Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah were guest speakers. The concert featured songs from the Civil Rights Movement as well and readings from Civil Rights speeches and writings.
The concert will be televised on February 11th at 8PM ET on public broadcasting stations nationwide and will be available on NPR.org/music. Please check your local listings.
One Comment, Comment or Ping
Dee
What a great educational, and entertainment opportunity for those youngsters!
It’s a good way to have it brought home to you, just how powerful the combination of meaningful and thought-provoking words set to music can be and has been.
What an amazing day that must have been!
Feb 15th, 2010