Music and Race: How It Heals — How It Divides (Part One)

For episode 2, the Turtle Creek Chorale demonstrates our commitment to racial equality and racial justice with a two-part series where we bring the conversation on race and music together. Part A features a few of our Turtles of Color — they sing for you and share their thoughts and perspectives.

This episode was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, CDC guidelines were followed including social distancing and facial coverings when social distancing could not be maintained and/or while singing, playing, or speaking.

Producer

Scott Ayers – TCC Associate Conductor

Co-Hosts

Scott Ayers – TCC Associate Conductor
Mike Dilbeck – TCC Director of Development

Interview Guests (in order)

Marcus McNeal
Brian Dixon
Roscoe Compton-Kelly

Band

Scott Ayers, Music Director and Pianist
Nathan Phelps, Bass

Featured Singing Members

Gregory Perry (soloist) for “Free At Last”
Brian Dixon (soloist) and Chris Jacobson-Chism (rapper) for “Glory”
Roscoe Compton-Kelly (soloist) for “I Know Where I’ve Been”
Marcus McNeal (ensemble)
Lonnie Parks (ensemble)
Alex Carr (ensemble)
Rashaad Calaham (ensemble)
Full Chorus of the Turtle Creek Chorale

Production Crew

Jess McDowell, Video Production and Stage Manager
Michael Vasquez, Recording Engineer
Sean Mikel Baugh, TCC Artistic Director
Jeremy Wayne, TCC Executive Director

Musical Selections (in order)

“What the World Needs Now”
by Burt Bacharach

“We Shall Overcome”
Traditional
Arranged by David Maddux

“Free At Last”
From Big River
Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller

“Glory”
Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith, and John Stephens
Arranged by Steve Milloy

“I Know Where I’ve Been”
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Lyrics by James Wheldon Johnson
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson
Arranged by Greg Gilpin

Additional Resources on Race and Racism

We Insist: A Timeline of Protest Music in 2020 from NPR

158 Resources to Understand Racism in America from Smithsonian

Talking About Race from Smithsonian

A special thanks to the Cathedral of Hope for the use of the Interfaith Peace Chapel for this recording.