It’s 6:20 AM, Saturday morning, and I will be catching the 8:10 AM No. 17 to head downtown to house manage the Funk Lab Dayton dance competition at Victoria Theatre. I spent an hour, Friday afternoon, prepping for this terribly long day and tomorrow, which will keep me downtown until past 11 PM. Tomorrow, however, I am to be at Victoria by 7:30 AM. Hideous!

I had originally signed up to work Saturday’s second Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance which included Antonin Dvorak’s NEW WORLD SYMPHONY. Still, I cheerfully agreed to move across the street to the other venue. Last night, I listened to the most glorious concert, and I am kicking myself even more for not being able to hear a second round, tonight.

This is the repertoire of last night’s, and tonight’s repeated concert:

Florence Price (1887–1953) (orch. by William Grant Still) Dances in the Canebrakes

1. Nimble Feet
2. Tropical Noon
3. Silk Hat and Walking Cane

Harry Burleigh (1866–1949) “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”

Artega Wright, baritone

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, op. 95 (“From the New World”)

1. Adagio—Allegro molto
2. Largo
3. Molto vivace
4. Allegro con fuoco

– INTERMISSION –

Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962) “Ascribe to the Lord”

Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941) Prelude & Great Day. He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Arr. Betty Jackson King (1928–1994) “I Want God’s Heaven to be Mine”

Hezekiah Walker (b. 1962) “Every Praise”

Kurt Carr (b. 1964) “For Every Mountain”

John Legend (b. 1978) (arr. Dr. Willetta Greene-Johnson) “Glory”

Judith McAllister (b. 1963) “Hallelujah, You’re Worthy to Be Praised”

The NEW WORLD SYMPHONY and the concluding piece, “Hallelujah, You’re Worthy to Be Praised” were powerful enough to make me kick myself over and over, knowing I will miss it, and that it’s being performed right across the street.

Oh, well… on with the day.

“Movement 2, Largo” from NEW WORLD SYMPHONY is for me, without a doubt, one of my favorite melodies. When it premiered in 1893 at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, many believed this movement to be an authentic Spiritual from pre-Civil War. In 1922, lyrics were added to the melody by Dvorak’s pupil, William Arms Fisher, and titled, “Goin’ Home.”

“Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m just goin’ home. Quiet like some still day, I’m just goin’ home.”

On April 13, 1945, a United States Marine, Graham W. Jackson, stood in uniform, playing his accordion and singing, “Goin’ Home” as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s flag-draped casket was loaded onto the train at Warm Springs, Georgia train depot, bound for Washington, DC. The iconic photograph of Graham W. Jackson’s tear-lined face covered LIFE.

When a piano student is introduced to this movement, they learn the story. Last evening, my Volunteer-Ushers, and a few others, learned the story. It’s one of my favorites.

Here we go. I am a bit grumpy knowing I have such a long day ahead of me, but it was my choice, and it is my responsibility to turn my attitude around so that I can do what I preach…

Make it a great day!