Newburgh Peoples Chorus
Photo Credit: Hilda Belcher The Choir (1934)
Inspired by Newburgh’s vibrant cultural heritage, rich church communities, and Resistance Revival Chorus, we are organizing Newburgh Peoples Chorus, a community-based chorus project. This chorus is an action of remembrance, solidarity, and empathy through music.
We are calling all Newburgh citizens – no matter your level of musical ability and talent – to participate in the project. Lets come together in song to model joy and unity with our neighbors!
To participate, fill in the form at http://bit.ly/NPChorus or you can sign up by calling 202.413.4262. The first rehearsal is Sept 21, 2019 at 5pm followed by each Saturday until performance. The performance is Oct 19, 2019 at 7pm.
The chorus will be shaped collaboratively by the co-leadership of curator, Niama Safia Sandy, musical director to be announced, and the members of the public. This chorus is meant to be reflective of the citizens of Newburgh – their belief in the beauty of their city, and its ability to uphold and build upon the rich legacies of its historical past to activate an ever more promising and inclusive future for all.
The chorus project is organized by Frederick Douglass In Newburgh Project – a collaborative team of organizations and individuals seeking to catalyze a city-wide commemoration for the 150th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ visit to town in 1870.
As we gather together in community, we hope to draw on Frederick Douglass’ fortitude and renown as a tireless advocate for freedom from the tyranny of all forms of discrimination and prejudice. We turn, today, toward Douglass as a figure who was a lightning rod for the visibility of the humanity of Black people in the world. We look to Douglass as a figure for inspiration as we continue the long march toward the establishment and widening of what are still very narrow pathways to true equality and parity for those who do not fit the parameters of personhood and power as defined by White Supremacy in this country and in the world at large.
Additionally, Newburgh is known for having the second largest concentration of historic buildings in New York State. However, the city’s historic buildings, particularly the African-American sites and sanctuaries are understudied. Responding to this, the community-chorus project will combine creative placemaking, community dialogue, and socially-engaged art practice to amplify and celebrate Newburgh’s African-American cultural assets.
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.