By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
On Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) honored the civil rights leader through an impactful musical tribute at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, drawing a packed house for the free community concert.
Led by Music Director Jonathon Heyward and featuring the Morgan State University Choir, the Jan. 19 “Symphony in the City: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Concert” included works by Black composers and choral pieces rooted in spiritual hymns and history.
The program, part of the BSO’s long-running community series, featured music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence Price and James Lee III and culminated with Charles Dickerson’s “I Have a Dream,” a musical setting of Dr. King’s most recognizable speech.
John Waller and Whitley Davis share a moment.(AFRO photos / James Fields) 
Sheri Booker, award winning author, educator and poet, performs for those in attendance. (AFRO photos / James Fields) 
Nonso Anaedozie (left) and Onyeka Anaedozie, enjoy the evening together. (AFRO photos / James Fields) 
Dr. Eric Conway, director of the Morgan State University Choir, speaks to those in attendance. (AFRO photos / James Fields) 
Eric Campbell (AFRO photos / James Fields) 
Shown here, James Lee lll, professor at Morgan State University and author of the song “Come Unto Me.” (AFRO photos / James Fields)
The Morgan State University Choir sang selections including “Five Spirituals” as performed by Wings Over Jordan and “Stand Up” from the film “Harriet.”
The performances were moving and emotional, showcasing expert-level talent. Attendees were enthralled throughout the program, cheering on the performers.
“A hundred and ten years ago, the Baltimore Symphony was founded by and for the city of Baltimore as a municipal orchestra,” said Mark C. Hanson, CEO and president of BSO. “Evenings like this are a wonderful reflection of our municipal history and of the power of music to bring the community together for moments of celebration, for moments of reflection and moments of commemoration.”
Presented in partnership with the City of Baltimore and Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, the evening included pre-concert experiences such as a spoken word performance by Sheri Booker. Attendees were able to take advantage of an MLK interactive reflection room, music by DJ Keebee and a Dream Wall with encouraging notes from students of the Baltimore City Public Schools system.
“MLK Day means to me, freedom,” said Karlise Brown, an attendee and Baltimore resident. “I’m proud to be in a city that celebrates MLK Day.”
Tracy Garrett Rogers, another attendee, said celebrating MLK Day is a generational tradition for her family, and the concert was how they chose to observe the holiday this year.
“I came out for the MLK celebration to honor Dr. King in various ways, and music felt like a perfect way to do that,” said Rogers. “I came with my mom and dad, who are 77 and 76, and my daughter, who is 37. It’s a generational experience—continuing to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and all that he’s done for us.”
The concert was offered up by city leaders as a replacement for the longstanding MLK Day parade that officials said was too often plagued by bad weather and unsafe conditions. During the concert, Heyward noted that Meyerhoff had not hosted a tribute concert for Dr. King in nearly 18 years.
“I am deeply honored to help revive this tradition,” said Heyward. “Dr. King understood the power of art, how music can awaken empathy, strengthen resolve and bring us closer to the beloved community he always envisioned. Tonight’s program reflects just that.”
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Chad Smith as the CEO and president of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. It has been corrected to reflect that Mark C. Hanson holds the position.