Victoria Arredondo
Managing Editor
People hurried into the foyer of the auditorium at Texas A&M University-San Antonio to be welcomed by the sounds of saxophones and trumpets. The San Antonio Jazz Collective was opening for the San Antonio Community Wind Ensemble’s Rhythms of Resilience on Feb. 9.
It was a celebratory day for Black History Month at A&M-San Antonio.
The ensemble played compositions that honored Black History Month. The music pieces were by composers including Noah Hudson-Camack, Omar Thomas, William Pitts, Steven Webb, David Foster and Katahj Copley.
The lights dimmed and the spotlight emerged as Charity Bowen — the ensemble’s vocalist — walked on stage to sing The Star-Spangled Banner.
“We’ve come through so many things and it’s a lot when you don’t have the freedoms in place from the beginning” Bowen said. “When you’re born into this world, then you have to dig from nothing and try to create something.”
Black History Month celebrates, honors and commemorates the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It takes place in February because it coincides with the birthdays of prominent figures like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, both who participated in the abolition of slavery.
The ensemble performed eight songs, some of which reflected members of the LGBTQ+ community, such as “Mother of a Revolution” by Omar Thomas.
Attendees watched and took photos as the musicians played their instruments.
Conductor of the ensemble, Albert Aguilar said the composers are at the cornerstone of the new genre of wind band music.
“Omar Thomas is one of the brightest and most talented African American composers today, along with some of our other pieces that we’re doing,” Aguilar said to the audience.
After singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, Bowen said that the song symbolized freedom.
“I believe the hard work and the tears and the silent tears, the silent prayers, I think it was a really big fight, but we’re all one race, the human race and I think as long as you just learn how to embrace who you are and others, it creates freedom,” Bowen said. “So as long as everyone — no matter what culture you are — experiences that freedom, I think that unites us even more.”
