CYSO was proud to once again partner with the Chicago Bulls in a special video launching this week on honor of Black History Month. CYSO students were featured alongside other young players from Musical Arts Institute and singers from Uniting Voices Chicago in a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” that will be broadcast during Bulls home games this month.
Eight CYSO musicians participated in the performance, including Concert Orchestra’s Samantha O’Leary, David Roche, and Bogdan Jones; Accelerando Strings’ Micaiah Abramczyk and Emmanuel Betson; Philharmonic Orchestra’s Lev Khoubaeva-Hummel and Dante Espinoza; and Symphony Orchestra’s Matthew Jordan.
Conducted by Musical Arts Institute’s Michael Manson, students gathered in late November to record the piece on the Bulls court. The footage was then edited together with video of the Bulls both on and off the court. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was written by James Weldon Johnson and put to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. First sung in 1900, it quickly gained popularity and is now known as the “Black National Anthem.”
CYSO was previously featured in the Bulls’ 2015 video holiday card, in addition to halftime performances.
We were proud to be part of this exciting project. Thank you to the Chicago Bulls and our partners and friends at Musical Arts Institute and Uniting Voices Chicago!
Photo credit: Joe Pinchin
