All aboard! The Elgin Master Chorale takes students on a musical train ride

The Black American experience through music

On the morning of Friday, Feb. 9, the Elgin Master Chorale Chamber Singers presented their annual free educational concert for an audience of elementary students at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre.

Tiffany Henderson, Elgin pastor and civic leader, narrated “Black Roots: The Black American Experience Through Music.”

The Gospel Choir from the Second Baptist Church of Elgin joined the Elgin Master Chorale on stage performing songs of hope and freedom.

“This year’s concert, performed during Black History Month, told the story of the Black American culture, societal transition, and inclusion,” said Steve Martin, executive director of the chorale. “Teachers who attended the concert shared how when they return to their classrooms, they discuss these themes with students and explored the nature of the song choices.”

Henderson’s narration took the audience on an imaginary train ride to freedom with stops along the way to hear spirituals and gospel songs from African diaspora to slavery to Jim Crow laws to the civil right movement.

Among the songs presented were “Get on Board, Little Children,” “Take Me to the Water,” “Go Down Moses,” and “Listen to the Lambs.” The “train” eventually arrived at a “destination” where the choirs joined in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (the Black national anthem) and “What a Wonderful World.”

“EMC would like to thank the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund of DeKalb County, and Bear Family Restaurant (BFR) McDonald’s for their generous grants that allow us to produce and present an educational concert annually,” Martin said. “We would like to specifically thank BFR for making on-demand streaming available to teachers who could not bring their students to the Blizzard Theatre.”

A link to the concert video will be posted on the Elgin Master Chorale’s Facebook page pending postproduction edition.

In its 77th year, the Elgin Master Chorale is the Fox Valley’s premier ensemble of elite singers whose mission emphasizes great choral music performed with musical excellence. “Black Roots: The Black American Experience Through Music” marks the 11th anniversary of concerts that underscores EMC’s dedication to supporting the music education for local students.