THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
The Christian Recorder
OCTOBER 2021
PAGE | 9
THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC RETURN TO THE NATION’S FIRST, PRIVATE HBCU: AFTER A HIATUS, THE WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY MUSIC PROGRAM OPENS YOUR EARS A talented addition to the Wilberforce University (WU) faculty is Mr. James McLeod, who brings a 27-year career in instrumental education to WU. His history of building music and band programs is matched only by his successful recruitment of students, growing one college program exponentially within a short period. Mr. McLeod will serve as the chair of the WU Music Department, which means he will hire music teachers and redesign and develop the music curriculum for the bachelor of arts degrees in music performance for instrumental, vocal music, and the bachelor of science in music business (with a technology component). “We are starting with the building of a marching band, marked by the hiring of our director of instrumental music, Dr. Virgil Goodwine,” said Mr. McCleod. “Consequently, we will soon be accepting auditions for band scholarships to join the WU marching band. Next, we will be accepting auditions and offering scholarships to join the university choir. It is truly an exciting time here at Wilberforce,” Mr. McCleod added. Mr. McLeod received his undergraduate degree in music education from Mississippi Valley State University, a master’s degree in music education from Jackson State University, and a master’s of science in entertainment business from Full Sail University. In between teaching applied music, music appreciation
and theory, writing music, directing videos, and creating graphic designs, Mr. McLeod is presently working on his Ph.D. in music education. Interesting facts about him do not end there. He boasts of being able to play every instrument except the harmonica and the harp, but he is also proud that his grandfather’s aunt is the historic stateswoman, presidential advisor to Franklin D. Roosevelt, and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. Also, Mr. McLeod is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The WU music renaissance also brings Dr. Virgil Goodwine back to his roots. The Colonel White School of the Performing Arts (Dayton Public Schools) graduate returns to the Greater Miami Valley to serve as the new assistant professor of Music and director of Musical Instruments and Ensembles. Dr. Goodwine comes to WU with an extensive background as the director of Instrumental Music for the Oak Park School District in Detroit, Michigan. “I am here,” says Dr. Goodwine, “to cultivate an innovative culture of excellence in music.” He will soon bring the legacy of the Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU) marching band soundscape to Wilberforce University. Dr. Goodwine received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Central State University, his master’s of science
d i music i from f h University U i i off Dayton, D d degree in the and his doctorate with a concentration in leadership in higher education research from Capella University. Dr. McLeod notes that the goals of the new music program are to (1) provide students with co-curricular experiences through vocal and instrumental ensembles (choir and band); (2) work closely with the Ray Charles Foundation to continue the study of music in higher education to make our students job-ready and prepared for further study in graduate school; (3) hire and retain qualified and talented faculty in the field of music to provide students with quality music and performing arts education; and (4) rebuild the university choir and provide performance opportunities for additional ensembles such as a marching band, jazz band, and various combos for exposure in the community to assist with student engagement and institutional advancement Wilberforce University eagerly welcomes both Mr. McLeod and Dr. Goodwine. It looks forward to great music. ❏ ❏ ❏
WHEN YOUR OPPONENT ALSO LOVES GOD: DISCERNING THE CORRECT PATH By Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist
It is no secret that the people of God often disagree. For example, the story of the two prophets who disagreed in 1 Kings 13, the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over the role of Mark in Acts 15:36-41, the denial of Peter concerning the presence of Christ in his life in Luke 22:54-62, and the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two people who worked with Paul in the Christian ministry, in Philippians 4 provides credence to the assertion that people who love the Lord often disagree. Even though Jesus instructed his disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44), as members of the body of Christ, I don’t believe that Christians should view one another as enemies. However, inasmuch as disagreeing Christians may inadvertently or blatantly undermine the progress of ministry, perhaps, disagreeing Christians should properly view one another as “opponents” from time to time. The question that often confronts disagreeing Christians is as follows: What should you do when you strongly disagree with your Christian opponent who also loves God? you to do. Third, don’t ever forget that the Christian The following three suggestions have assisted me in moving forward with my story is a story of love and redemption; therefore, Christian calling or mandate in the midst of Christians with whom I disagree. your “Christian opponent” is not necessarily a First, don’t dismiss the voice of God even if you determine that God is speaking permanent opponent. Leave room for reconciliation as you search for command through your Christian “opponent.” An omnipotent (all-powerful) God may ground with your brother or sister in Christ. choose to use anyone or anything (e.g., God spoke through a donkey in Numbers The biblical record stated that King Josiah eventually died because he didn’t 22:28) to communicate God’s intent for humanity. We must be receptive to listen to the voice of the Lord, which originated from an unlikely place (e.g., God’s voice whenever, wherever, and however it may be found. Second, don’t the mouth of King Necho of Egypt, which is recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:20). be deterred by your opponent because your unique task in salvation history Let us continue to pray that we might recognize and embrace God’s voice and can only be accomplished by you. God has specific plans for you (see Jeremiah instruction wherever, whenever, and however it may be found. ❏ ❏ ❏ 29:11); therefore, seek to perform the ministerial task that God has entrusted ...From A Christian p8 out to those who require our help. It’s not about keeping the world from touching you. It’s about you reaching out to the world God loves and lending it a hand, feeling it yourself. It’s not about keeping others from getting close to you. It’s about having the courage to get close to those others God loves. After all, was Jesus himself not a refugee fleeing from danger? Thus, when I think about the situation in Afghanistan, I can’t help but think of another parable of Jesus, the Good Samaritan. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus talks about what it means to love your neighbor. This is the revolutionary teaching of Jesus, to love your neighbor. Might we employ this in our discourse about Afghanistan? Perhaps our politics? In our foreign policy? Or, maybe not. That would be too much like what Jesus would do.
Quardricos Bernard Driskell is a federal lobbyist, pastor of the Historic Beulah Baptist Church, and an adjunct professor of legislative politics at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Follow him on Twitter @q_driskell4.
