On today’s IRIS ORCHESTRA MUSIC MINUTE, I can only share my personal reaction to this shocking and terrible week which has been so troubling for our entire country.
With our current health crisis, we were already in a state of global anxiety. Now, for all who really share the deepest aspirations of justice, from sea to shining sea, we have to face our worst truths. In a spasm of pain sparked by harassment and violence from law enforcement, more needless death — George Floyd is only the latest tragic example — and a renewed wake up call of anger and hopelessness in light of the systemic racism; widespread social injustice; gaping disparities in economic opportunity, and deprivation of dignity endured by so many citizens of color throughout our nation, American democracy must rise up and meet this moment with our Black community.
So many words have been written and scrawled, spoken and shouted, I can add little here. But in this forum, I have always shared my conviction in the power of music. This is a time when we all have to listen — to the grieving voices of people in despair and pain, and to the voices of moral courage. Please, go to the Facebook page of Anthony McGill — he is a friend, one of the most brilliant clarinetists in the world today, an African American musician who is principal clarinetist of The New York Philharmonic. The link is here on the WKNO website as well — and you will find his eloquent statement. He utters no words, wastes no time, and yet with those few pure notes, he leaves little unsaid. He compels us to watch, and more than that, to listen. It is time.
Michael Stern is the music director of IRIS Orchestra of Germantown, Tennessee and the Kansas City Symphony. Tickets and more information can be found at IRIS orchestra dot o-r-g.