Music and personal stories filled Sursa Performance Hall Thursday night during the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert sponsored by the Office of Institutional Diversity and the School of Music.
The night began with opening remarks from Rev. Royce Mitchell, president of the Coalition of Concerned Clergy, then evolved into a soulful display of civil rights movement songs and memories.
As MarTeze D. Hammonds began to sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the crowd rose to their feet. The audience participated in the concert by singing, clapping and humming along.
Then the tone switched. Composed by Ball State Student Ayriole Frost, an electronic piece began to ring over the speakers. The composition filled the room with a feeling of tension and danger, reflecting the many feelings people expressed during the civil rights movement.
The piece also highlighted many excerpts of reflections from people who experienced the movement. One reflection said, "They were not getting attention because they are black."
The audience was filled with Muncie community members as well as Ball State staff and students.
Ball State student Charles Todd said he was glad to hear about the concert commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.
"People will be able to see more of what other cultures are like as well as more about their own culture," Todd said.
Born and raised in Muncie, Evelyn Wilson said she could relate to the reflections presented during the concert.
"I lived through the prodigious and though things are better today, there is always room for improvement," Wilson said.
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