Happy Juneteenth!

As musicians and performers, we are often studying music and composers from all throughout history. It is important to know and understand history so we can better honor the composers and characters we represent when we are performing past works.

June 19th is also known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. History shows us that not everyone in America were truly made free on July 4, 1776. It would take much longer for America to right that wrong. It was not until June 19, 1865 when slavery was abolished and all those who were enslaved were finally free.

When we share music or perform in a production, we must tap into our ability to understand someone else’s human experience, even if it differs from our own. Knowing and understanding, what people’s lives were like through out history will only make us better, more engaging performers.

Let us all recognize how important this day in history was to our country’s growth and development as a nation.