A Place for Reconciliation and Renewal

To cap off the university’s Black History Month celebration, the Concordia University, St. Paul music program hosted and led a collaborative Black History Month concert titled “A Rondo Reconciliation and Renewal Concert.” This event brought the CSP choral program and string ensemble together with community partners—including Walker West Music Academy, Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, NUNNABOVE, 29:11 from South Africa, and others—in weekly rehearsals throughout January and February that not only refined their joint music, but built relationships and understanding among the participants.

This experience can be described as bathed in prayer, executed in love, and sealed with hope regarding the care of God’s creation. This gathering that took place on the campus of CSP was a tangible, and picturesque depiction of compassion in action accompanied by a heightened regard for humanity.

During this special event, envisioned and spearheaded by Professor of Music Dr. David Mennicke, the arms of CSP reached deeply into the community to welcome all to a place where scripture, music, and words intermingled to shed light on needed societal changes. The concert included a panel discussion at intermission which featured retired St. Paul Police sergeant Melvin Carter Jr., Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, and Director of the Emmitt Till Legacy Foundation, Deborah Watts. Dr. Cheryl Chatman, retired Executive Vice President and Dean of Diversity at CSP, moderated the panel. Attendees were challenged to be agents of positive change in society and intentionally employ efforts to usher in justice, equity, and equality for all. What a blessing, indeed!

“The most profound part of the experience was the visual of the audience. The optics of capturing people from all walks of life in the community, celebrating together, was very healing,” said Carl Clomon, ‘23, a CSP student who serves as minister of music at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and music director of the Amazing Grace Chorus. “From the music of all the performers to the presenters of the panel discussion, my life was made more rich and meaningful with this event.”

The journey to this gathering, as well as that unto reconciliation, was and still is joyous, cathartic, and enlightening. This was more than a concert; it was an opportunity for self-examination, authentic connections, and an unveiling of blissful vulnerability that unified attendees.

“...[A]nd this was what the music did. It allowed us all to be authentic, to be vulnerable with each other, to explore these emotions, these issues, and to do it in a way where we develop relationships,” explained Mennicke. “And then we have this shared experience, which is something that can be built on.”

The trauma experienced by the Black community and the resiliency to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and our testimony was experienced vicariously through song. And thus, we have an evening that left an indelible mark on the conscience of those whose ears bore witness to that which was shared.