THE HISTORY MUSEUM/ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

September 10, 2017 Dred Scott Heritage Foundation Leave a comment

ARTICLE FOR THE HISTORY MUSEUM/ST. LOUIS AMERICAN
August 10, 2017 Issue

By Lynne Madison Jackson

Over the last 10 years, the historical foundations and subsequent shaping of our country have been highlighted through a series of events starting in 2007 with the 150^th Anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision of 1857.

Close on its heals were re-enactments of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates which coincided with one of the largest gatherings in downtown St Louis, the campaign visit of then future president, Barack Obama. The irony of electing the first Black president on the cusp of the 150^th anniversary of that Supreme Court decision deemed the worst decision of all, did not go unnoticed. For many, there was hope in the air and yet even now, we do not have the harmony among the peoples most have longed for. Soon thereafter in 2011, was the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, next year will be the 14^th Amendment’s big anniversary – the citizenship or Dred Scott Amendment. We are now looking at the 500^th anniversary of the 95 theses posted by Martin Luther this October 2017, which brought clarity to many and still today, confusion among religious faiths looms large. How timely, to have occasions to look back and ask ourselves, where along the journey are we now, in “getting there?”

Three years ago, Ferguson, MO became a household word, not just nationally but globally. Once again, St. Louis will be remembered for a race issue which cannot be ignored but had to be dealt with. After the indignity of the 1857 decision, a civil war was imperative as was predicted by many noted statesmen. After August 9, 2014, with Dred Scott’s resting place only 3 miles from Ferguson, we were made painfully aware that humanity has still many lessons to learn.

On Saturday, August 12, the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation is presenting a current look at where some of us are three years after our cities were once again in the limelight. The Dred Scott 160^th Anniversary Festival of Freedom will feature a day long fun, historic and educational opportunity for everyone, young and old. The Foundation has three pillars it promotes: Commemoration, Education and Reconciliation. In collaboration with the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and sponsoring support of Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, P.C., we will present an encore panel of five descendants of families whose ancestors greatly impacted the nation’s story around the Dred Scott Decision. From Thomas Jefferson to Jefferson Davis, stories will be shared on how these families are educating for the purpose of reconciliation. This encore panel will surprise and give hope to anyone who is wondering, “how can this work?”

Kate Taney Billingsley (yes, the same Taney) and the St. Louis Black Rep are presenting her powerful play on what a contemporary meeting of descendants of Dred Scott and Justice Taney might be like.

My presentation on the St. Louis fun facts surrounding history of Dred Scott will include information never before shared.

We will celebrate the fact that Dred and Harriet, although denied in the courts, DID receive their freedom from slavery after helping pave the way for the freedom of millions. With the help of the Blow family who was very instrumental in making that happen, learn more of this inspiring story.

Why do we remind ourselves of history? We have all heard the clichés and quotes, most notably, “ ……..we are doomed to repeat it…….” But do we even recognize when that is happening? Many wonderful organizations exist in this community to break the cycle of fear, hate, misunderstanding and disunity. As we continue to collaborate, it is our hope to show what happens when we take time out, stop, listen talk and share. I was told by two people, regarding the Taney and Davis families, “I don’t know if I want to meet “those” people.” Did you hear it? Upon sharing with them, a great light came on and a new working relationship was born. We remind ourselves of history so we can create a better future.

We invite you to come hear the contemporary stories of reconciliation and hard work to bring hope and unity to a divided land. Lincoln’s famous House Divided Speech came directly from the Bible in Mark 3:25 “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand….”. None of us is Lincoln, but let’s do our part to preserve the Union and heal the kingdom in such a time as this.

Additional Freedom Festival features and highlight links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpDRBiDUZsE

Taney Statue

Announcement, Collaborate, Commemorate, Educate, Event, News, Recognition

Classical music should reflect the society we live in: Chamber Project returns for 10th year

September 10, 2017 Dred Scott Heritage Foundation Leave a comment

By KELLY MOFFITT

Dana Hotle, Kyle Lombard and Adam Manness dicussed the Chamber Project of Saint Louis’ 10th season.

ALEX HEUER | ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO

Originally published on September 6, 2017 5:14 pm

Can the story of the famed Dred Scott decision be effectively put to music? In this tenth year of the Chamber Project Saint Louis, composer Adam Manness is giving it a try.

The first concert of the season, titled “Faith,” features the world premiere of Manness’ “The Devil and the Law,” a work commissioned by Chamber Project based on the Dred Scott case. In it, Manness uses voice, string quartet and flute, transitioning in sound from the darkness of the decision itself to a powerful reflection by Frederick Douglass on the case, ending on a note of hope.

Dana Hotle, a clarinetist and co-artistic director of Chamber Project, said the concert will combine this composition with Manness’ “Delmar Wall” for a night of reflection on the idea of faith and the history of St. Louis. It will be performed at the Missouri History Museum in connection with the current exhibition “#1 in Civil Rights, the African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis.”

Listen

Listening…

Chamber Project Saint Louis embarks on its 10th season by paying homage to St. Louis, the good and the bad, in a series of seven concerts. St. Louis on the Air contributor Steve Potter spoke with contributors to this year’s performances.

It falls into the entire theme of the season, consisting of seven concerts held at varying venues across St. Louis, which addresses St. Louis and its place in the world.

“We decided with our 10th season is that we wanted to celebrate St. Louis because the mission of Chamber Project is to build community in St. Louis,” Hotle said. “We employ over 20 artists and musicians in St. Louis and we keep it local. The community has supported us so much in the past 10 years, we wanted to celebrate that.”

Chamber Project violinist Kyle Lombard said he appreciates the ensemble’s casual feel, accessibility and commitment to putting the best classical music product on stage.

“For aficionados, these performances add context to works they already know,” Hotle said. “For people who are new to the genre, these concerts give them context to feel like they’re on the inside. One of the things we started with in the Chamber Project was trying to frame music that makes it accessible to everyone. A lot of that is telling a story through the music and finding stories people can relate to. What is the story behind the music? What will you connect to?”

Part of that means putting the music in different venues than classical music is typically played in. In this season, concerts will take place in venues ranging from the Missouri History Museum, The Chapel near Washington University’s campus, the Schlafly Tap Room and the Vino Gallery.

Such a change-up in venue also brings the performers closer together, said Lombard.

“As a violinst, I’m always thinking about the space I’m playing, projection,” Lombard said. “The connection that we feel with Chamber Project is what is really special. When you’re thrown into a brand new acoustic, it is a challenge for players to stay connected to one another.”

Concert themes this season range from faith to architecture to protest to environmentalism, but Hotle said the key to this season is its diversity in the composers and performers highlighted.

“We are very passionate that our art form of classical music should reflect the society we live in,” Hotle said. “It doesn’t need to disregard the classical, great, white European composers, to include their stories in the way they are relevant today, but also to include as many diverse people as possible: women, people of color. That’s what will keep this art form alive, if they can connect this music, this art form, to their lives.”

Chamber Project is also hosting a docent led tour of the Missouri History Museum’s exhibition “#1 in Civil Rights, the African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis” September 6 at 7:00 p.m. Register here.

Related Event

What: Chamber Project Saint Louis Presents “Faith”

When: Friday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Missouri History Museum, Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue in Forest Park, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis

More information.

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