SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The South Bend Symphony Orchestra is holding bits “Celebration for a Dream” concert series this week.

The concert series commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the cultural significance of African American music, and the 60th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech.

Officials with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra say it’s an opportunity for cultural sharing.

”For the orchestra, most of them have never been in a black church,” says Dr. Marvin Curtis. “So, you get to hear that music. But for the church congregation, they’ve never been to the symphony, and they’re hearing music that was written by black composers that most people have never heard before.”

The concert series, which began Tuesday night, is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. For the remaining concerts, you’re asked to secure your seat with the registration links listed at each location below.

Organizers say the concerts will last for 75 minutes and will not include an intermission.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Sweet Home Ministries

410 S Taylor St., South Bend, Indiana 46601

Register on EventBrite

Tune into WUBS 89.7 FM to listen to the live stream on Thursday, Jan.12 at 7 p.m.

Press Release from the South Bend Symphony Orchestra:

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra partners with local churches to applaud and commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the cultural significance of African American music, and the sixtieth anniversary of Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech in a series titled “Celebration for a Dream.” The public is welcome to join the Symphony’s Woodwind and String Quintets, host and Symphony Board Member Dr. Marvin Curtis, and church choirs for four events celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy.

“These concerts bring the spirit of Dr. King and the music of the African American composers together and celebrate both in a space, which was the Black Church, where it was nurtured,” writes Dr. Curtis. “This series is also a chance to provide the opportunity for local church choirs to partner with the South Bend Symphony. We hope these concerts help to bring all the communities of South Bend together to experience and learn from each other.”

The concert series is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Please secure your seat with the registration links listed at each location. The concerts will last for 75 minutes and will not include an intermission. Donations will be accepted.

We are grateful to Pastor Dr. Theo Williams and Covenant Community Church; St. Joe County Public Library; Pastor YPJ Miller and Faith Alive Ministries; and Bishop Erskine Jones and Sweet Home Ministries for opening their doors to host the concert series. The series is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the African American Fund at the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, and Jordan Lexus of Mishawaka.

Copyright 2023 WNDU. All rights reserved.