Wise has been the director of the African American Choral Ensemble at IU for four years. The AACE will continue their yearly tradition of performing in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
Before the performance, there will be a reception at 6 p.m.
“What’s special is that they are regular kids,” Wise said. “They’re not music majors. They just come and sing — many have not had a choral experience at all. They come from all over, all different races, all different majors, all different cultures.”
King Jr. is to thank for giving the members the opportunity to bring different kinds of people together, said Tiffany Williams, choir member and Jacobs School of Music master’s student.
“I feel honored to help celebrate and keep his legacy alive,” Williams said. “The songs that we’re singing are very uplifting and powerful, and I want the audience to feel the message. Even though Dr. King did so much to get us to where we are today, there’s still a long way to go.”
Wise said continuing to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day is their way of encouraging action in the present, not only looking back at what was accomplished during King’s time.
“Since he’s passed on, we so often take for granted that everything is just fine,” Wise said. “People have to acknowledge that there’s still a need for equality, there’s still a need to help lift up those who are in need.”
The songs they will perform on Monday include “Let Freedom Ring” and “I’ll Stand,” which are both intended to send people forth with the commitment to make a difference, Wise said.
Members of the University Elementary School sixth grade choir will perform on Monday as well, under the direction of their teacher Maggie Olivo.
Olivo said she is excited for her students to meet the AACE because the college singers are great role models for singing inspiration and perform challenging music.
“Our school’s population is very diverse,” Olivo said. “It’s really important for our kids to understand that this school setting here in southern Indiana and the makeup of that classroom would not have been possible 60 years ago.”
Olivo is passionate about King’s life and mission because of his ability to use only his words to lead a movement peacefully, she said.
“When I look at my students, I have a lot of pride that they are all together,” Olivo said. “This group not only represents multiple ethnic groups, but also different interests, backgrounds and cultures.
“People are concerned with what’s happening in the world right now, but when you see a stage made up of kids like this, we’re reminded that our future has hope.”
The celebration will include not only performances by both choirs, but also “A Day On! Not a Day Off!”, an opportunity for over 4,000 community members to volunteer for various projects and the Service for Peace “40 Days of Peace Pledge,” said Michael Shermis, staff liaison of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
Brittany Packnett, the executive director of Teach for America, will be delivering the keynote speech.
“The idea (of the pledge) is to treat people more kindly and to take peace as your main focus,” Shermis said. “It’s an opportunity for us to step back and say, ‘Why do we value diversity and why do we value service? Let’s focus on how we can serve our fellow community members.’”
