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Two men, one black and one white, join hands as they sing during a solemn tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, on April 9, 1968. Robert Walsh/AP
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OUR SHARED HUMANITY
Each morning we seem to be faced with another tragedy. Whether it be a mass shooting, police brutality, or a terrorist attack, we may feel like we are helpless in the face of senseless violence. President Obama addressed this in his speech from the Dallas memorial service:
"I see how easily we slip back into our old notions, because they're comfortable, we're used to them...
But America, we know that bias remains. We have all seen this bigotry in our own lives at some point. We've heard it at times in our own homes. If we're honest, perhaps we've heard prejudice in our own heads and felt it in our own hearts. We know that. And while some suffer far more under racism's burden, some feel to a far greater extent discrimination's stain. Although most of us do our best to guard against it and teach our children better, none of us is entirely innocent. We know this.
In the end, it's not about finding policies that work. It's about forging consensus and fighting cynicism and finding the will to make change.
Can we do this? Can we find the character, as Americans, to open our hearts to each other? Can we see in each other a common humanity and a shared dignity, and recognize how our different experiences have shaped us? And it doesn't make anybody perfectly good or perfectly bad, it just makes us human.
As Americans, we can decide that [instigators of violence] ultimately fail. They will not drive us apart. We can decide to come together and make our country reflect the good inside us, the hopes and simple dreams we share.
The pain we feel may not soon pass, but my faith tells me that they did not die in vain. I believe our sorrow can make us a better country. I believe our righteous anger can be transformed into more justice and more peace."
A song that has kept our spirits up at the BCC office has been the spiritual "I Shall Not Be Moved" from our 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert with guest artist Dom Flemons. Listen to it
here.
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Members of BCC's community discussing ways to heal and engage others after the recent events
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A BCC COMMUNITY GATHERING
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After the deadliest shooting in history at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, the recent deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and five police officers in Dallas, BCC and its Social Impact Committee hosted a gathering for the community to come together on Tuesday, July 12, discuss recent events and heal.
Participants ranging from singers, alumni, siblings, parents, community members, and board members came together and covered topics like the importance of courage, ensuring safe spaces for people of different viewpoints and ideas, and actionable items.
Takeaways included educating ourselves on our communities' police policies and practices and writing to our legislators.
Based on feedback and the encouragement and desire for change from participants, BCC will continue to organize events for the community to gather and discuss ways to make a difference.
Please stay tuned for more future information.
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ATK?
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July 6 Anthony was visiting the city of Taitung on the south-east coast of Taiwan. During his visit the intense tropical cyclone Typhoon Nepartak impacted Taiwan and then later East China. Luckily Anthony survived Nepartak! During the storm he used social media to give updates on its progress.
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| Debris left from the storm. |
Anthony holding the door shut to his hotel. |
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SINGER SPOTLIGHT: AUSTIN MOORE
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During my 6 years at the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC), each year has helped me change or learn something new. I remember myself as a delinquent 10 year-old in Central Intermediate - talking and disrupting rehearsal week after week. After a series of very stern talks with Mrs. Adams, I was encouraged to not only change my behavior at rehearsal, but also in school as well. Now, as a rising junior at Boston Trinity Academy, and a member of the Premier Choir, BCC has ignited in me not only a strong passion for music but also a passion for social justice.
This summer, I've had the pleasure of interning at BCC. It has been very informative and a lot of fun! I've learned that it takes a lot of different people doing a lot of different things to keep the organization running. Next year I encourage all singers to introduce themselves to a staff member that they do not know but see at the office, they don't bite! This opportunity has made me really appreciate what goes on at BCC outside of the music and has taught me many skills that I can utilize for my own career in the future.
The chorus has introduced me to a lot of people that I would not have otherwise known and now I can't imagine my life without them. I will never forget it, and I wish that every child could have access to an organization like BCC.
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BCC Director of Programs Ben Hires, BCC singer Ardiana Pimentel, Professor Anita Hill, and BCC singer Dalia Morales
at YW Boston's 150th Anniversary Gala on June 14
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BCC MEETS PROFESSOR ANITA HILL
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The Boston Children's Chorus celebrated YW Boston's 150th anniversary on June 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. YW Boston is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Singers from our Premier Choir and Concert Choir had the privilege to hear Brandeis Professor Anita Hill speak about the challenges that young women, particularly women of color, face to full participation in educational and career opportunities. Her remarks concluded with a call to action for organizations like BCC and YW Boston to help young women overcome barriers and reach their full potential.
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BCC Singers, their families, and BCC staff at the MA State House.
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AN ARTISTIC GAME OF "TELEPHONE"
A group of seven BCC Singers had the opportunity to participate in a project called Consenses. Created by founder Sally Taylor, the project allowed the singers to flex their song-writing muscles and engage in an "artistic game of telephone." Consenses is a vehicle for connection, understanding, and peace using arts as a lens and a language through which to see ourselves, each other and our world more clearly, compassionately and expansively. A group of photographers interpreted seven words, our singers interpreted their photographs, dancers interpreted their songs, painters interpreted their dances, and so on until all five senses were represented. The young artists' work, all participants from Boston youth arts organizations, had their final artwork unveiled and displayed at the
Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill.
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Boston Mayor Walsh supports the Community Preservation Act
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MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL FUNDING SLASHED BY 55%
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On July 11, Governor Charlie Baker vetoed the Legislature's budget for the Massachusetts Cultural Council and slashed arts funding by 55%.
If lawmakers do not override this veto, the Massachusetts Cultural Council's budget will be slashed to $6.5 million from $14.1 million. The last time arts and culture were funded at that level in the Commonwealth was 1994. BCC depends on funding from agencies like the Massachusetts Cultural Council for our programs.
The good news is that the chairs of the Legislative Cultural Caucus and the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee are circulating a letter among colleagues to rally around an override of the governor's arts veto. With enough support from both houses, we can make it happen.
Send a quick note to your senator and representative urging them to support the arts, cultural, and creative community.
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ARTS AND CULTURE ADVOCACY:
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT
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The Community Preservation Act is an important revenue tool to help Boston build more affordable housing, improve our parks, restore historic and cultural landmarks, and create new jobs.
As Boston heads into the implementation phase of the Boston Creates Cultural Plan, the Community Preservation Act provides Boston an opportunity to establish a funding stream to support cultural spaces and facilities.
Supported by Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston City Council, CPA funds are generated by a small surcharge on local property tax bills matched by a statewide trust fund to maximize their impact. The typical Boston homeowner whose home is assessed at $500,000 would pay approximately $24 per year towards this investment, and in turn, the City would generate $20 million or more every year for CPA projects, including at least $2 million for historic and cultural preservation.
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A special thanks to everyone who supported BCC at the end of our fiscal year and throughout last season. Without the commitment of time, talent and the financial support of our board, families, friends, foundations and supporters, BCC would not be able to accomplish its mission.
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Boston Children's Chorus 112 Shawmut Avenue, Boston MA 02118 (617) 778-2242
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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