SHINE ON: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK ARTISITRY THROUGH MUSIC, DANCE, AND POETRY

Shine On was an afternoon of profound dance, stirring vocals, orchestral selections, and powerful poetry. At the heart of the program was the legacy of Undine S. Moore, often referred to as the “Dean of Black Women Composers.” As noted by Helen Walker-Hill, Moore’s compositional style is rooted in traditional musical forms, using conventional keys and harmonic relationships between notes, chords, and keys to create music that resonates deeply.

This was a journey through movement and sound.  The concert opened with “Love Let the Wind Cry... How I Adore Thee,” where the graceful movements of Janelle Gilchrist's dance mirrored the emotive power of Kay Patterson’s soaring soprano voice. Gilchrist's flowing form gave flight to Patterson’s interpretation, creating a captivating synergy between movement and music.

Following this mesmerizing performance, Reggie O’Hare Gibson recited “Ka Ba,” a poem by Imani Amiri Baraka, first published in 1972. Ka Ba reflects on the experiences of African people, their lives, culture, and connection to the natural world—sound, earth, and spirit. The poem spoke to the trauma of being taken from the homeland and enslaved in a foreign land. Yet, despite the pain of displacement, African people found ways to communicate and preserve their culture through coded messages and rituals that remain with us today.

Jessie Montgomery’s “Source Code” followed, delving into the rich history of African American musical culture. Montgomery’s composition seamlessly weaves together echoes of spoken and written words with the voices of great African American artists from the 1920s through the 1950s, highlighting the enduring legacy of Black artistic expression.

“We Shine Bright,” written by U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo and performed by Reggie O’Hare Gibson, paid tribute to the sacred stories of African people. The poem speaks of a time before sound, when stories were sung and passed down to lift one another up, even in times of darkness. It emphasized that our collective resilience and cultural identity allow us to “shine bright” through adversity.

The centerpiece of the afternoon was “Shine,” a work that brought the concert to an unforgettable conclusion. Performed by Kay Patterson (soprano), Diji Kay (flute), Ashleigh Gordon (viola), and Sarah Bob (piano), Shine was commissioned by Castle of Our Skins, an organization dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music and education. The performance was a fitting tribute to the strength, creativity, and resilience of Black artists past and present.