Dallas responds to tension with mass singalong

It’s on Thursday, if you’re free.

press release:

Dallas – The community is invited to join together at a free concert of uplifting and healing music on Thursday, July 14^th at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora Street in Dallas. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes.

The Dallas performance community hopes to aid the healing process by offering a place for our city to unite in song. Led by Credo, a Dallas-based community choir, and in partnership with the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, DALLAS SINGS / DALLAS STRONG is a musical response to the tragedy that occurred on July 7^th. Why hold such a concert? Leonard Bernstein said, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”

Singers from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area will participate in a massed choir performance. “We have invited members of every church, synagogue, and community choir in the Metroplex to join us not only in singing out against violence, but also to sing out for peace, love, and unity. The Dallas Police Choir has also been extended an invitation to perform.” Says Jonathan Palant, founder and director of Credo. “Already, we know of singers from Credo Choir, the Dallas Symphony Chorus, Turtle Creek Chorale, Dallas Independent School District, Cathedral of Hope, The Women’s Chorus of Dallas, Temple Shalom, and from many churches who plan to join this massed choir.” Palant continues, “We cannot sit idly by hoping change will come while doing nothing. We have been given a voice and we are going to use it.”

Due to the nature of this event and the short planning time available, not all performers have been finalized, but the current roster includes appearances by local opera star Ava Pine and Dallas favorites Denise Lee, Paul Mason, and Liz Mikel. Several speakers, both religious and lay leaders, will offer thoughts and words of encouragement.

Anyone wishing to sing in the massed choir is asked to enter the Meyerson Symphony Center through the glass doors on Flora Street by 5:30 p.m. and follow signage toward the stage. There is no pre-registration. Sheet music will be distributed at the start of rehearsal. There is no charge to sing and all singers are welcome. Attire for performers is business casual.

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has established a dedicated relief fund to provide supportive services, including mental health resources for victims and families of both first responders and civilians who were involved in the tragic shootings on July 7. United Way is committed to helping long term through the difficult time ahead, and will work with service providers and corporate and civic leaders to help with the healing. Please consider making a donation today. UnitedWayDallas.org