For some, it’s another holiday honoring another figure in U.S. history. For others, it’s an extra day off of work. But in the city of Rochester, Martin Luther King Day has come to be an integral tradition of celebration. It’s a nationwide holiday that celebrates the legacy and courage of the 20th century civil rights leader. But unique to Rochester is how King is celebrated-more so in music than in just plain word. Rochester has become known for its MLK Choir, a community aggregation of singers, musicians and vocalists who gather each year in symphony to lead the city’s celebration. Julius Dicks, an accomplished musician, is the director of the choir and has been there from the very start.
“[The] choir started 20-plus years ago. Dr. Walter Flucker, who at the time was heading the Black Student Caucus [at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School], approached me and wanted one mass choir celebration rather than choirs singing separately- and I agreed to head it,” Dicks said.
From the first year until now, the MLK Choir of Rochester continues to draw the masses. It all features the city’s best in gospel music and arrangement and is truly a community effort. Dicks, along with several other musical directors, put their heads together to decide on the music that will be taught to the mass choir. The rehearsals usually begin right after the Christmas holiday. It’s an experience that is collaboration, cohesion and co-laboring personified. Dicks says he looks forward to it each year.
“Over the years this choir has grown from initially 150 to over 300 voices. Their acceptance to a variety of music and their eagerness to fellowship with each other [is] great. [The fellowship] increases every year,” he said.
The MLK Choir usually precedes the city’s MLK Celebration with a concert of its own. Over the weekend leading into MLK Day, the choir packs out Aenon Baptist Church in the southwest quadrant of Rochester. People of all ages from different churches and backgrounds come together in an ecumenical worship service, celebrating life, faith, history and harmony. From Dicks’ view, the MLK Choir experience has made much of the headway in those areas.
“This choir’s gatherings have certainly broken down walls of division between denominations. Persons of all faiths come with one goal in mind- and that is to sing to Jesus Christ,” he said.
The message of unity couldn’t be more important this MLK Day, given the renewed debate and controversy over race relations in America. This MLK Day is undoubtedly different given the respective cries of injustice over the fatal police shootings of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City. But it is the effort of community groups like the MLK Choir to be an example of justice and unity.
“A lot of the racial upheaval in our community is due to the lack of togetherness among our people, regardless of race. When we come together as a choir, all division ceases. We enter as one voice into God- no division,” Dicks said.
So the question for many with recurring holidays- what is it about this time? What is the message to take away? What new value can be found in this age-old tradition? For Dicks, it’s about removing all impossibilities.
“As we reflect on the life of King, I sincerely hope we grab hold to his determination that NOTHING can stop us. Whatever we set our minds to do, if it’s right, let NOTHING stop us.”
