Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) brought together a packed in-person and online audience of over 2,000 at Boston’s Symphony Hall for the organization’s highly anticipated "Road to Freedom: 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert" Monday afternoon. Honoring the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, the event was a powerful blend of hope and determination through evocative music and narrative.
Attendees were taken on a musical journey that highlighted the complex yet unifying paths of the two iconic civil rights leaders. Though often considered ideological contrasts, Dr. King and Malcolm X shared an enduring commitment to justice and freedom. Through powerful performances, BCC skillfully wove together their stories, focused on advocacy and empowerment, underscoring their vital contributions to advancing civil rights in America.
"Our annual concert is a heartfelt dialogue about the incredible impact of working together," said BCC Executive Director Andrés Holder. "Dr. King and Malcolm X both experienced life-changing moments right here in Boston, making our city an incredibly special place to reflect on their amazing legacies. As our students perform, let's not only honor their bravery but also remember how important it is for us, especially during these trying times, to learn from both of their perspectives. This is our invitation to future leaders to embrace the lessons of social justice throughout history and act on them."
Adding vibrancy to the celebration, the evening's repertoire drew inspiration from BCC’s 2024-2025 season theme, "People, Get Ready," which challenges, inspires, and empowers the community through unforgettable performances that resonate long after the final note, helping to create a world where every voice is valued. With MLK Day falling on Inauguration Day this year, the concert presented an opportunity to infuse hope and meaning into a turbulent time.
This year’s event not only resonated deeply with those present but also aligned with BCC’s ongoing mission to create a more just world. By sharing stories of resilience and hope through music, BCC continues to champion the cause of equality, reflecting on the legacy of those who have walked the path before us and igniting the potential for every voice to be heard.
This year's concert included two choirs from BCC's in-school programming. Students from Chelsea Public Schools and the Ellison Parks Early Education School took the Symphony Hall stage alongside BCC's after-school choirs to sing a mix of timeless ballads with high-energy anthems from Tracy Chapman, Lenny Kravitz, Curtis Mayfield and The Impression, and more.
This year’s program also featured guest artist Anastasia Talley.
Talley, a celebrated Broadway actress and singer/songwriter, is renowned for her voice's warmth and richness, and her ability to express sensitivity and musical nuance. Currently a cast member of "MJ the Musical," Talley made her Broadway debut in "Girl From the North Country." She is an active member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Tony-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices, recently featured in the world premiere of "Public Works’ Hercules." Her versatile talents have seen her perform in opera, concerts, jazz, and musical theatre, including notable roles in "Suor Angelica," "Dreamgirls," "The Drowsy Chaperone," and "Hairspray." Talley has graced iconic stages like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and performed alongside luminaries like Patti LuPone and Kristin Chenoweth. Raised in Mississippi, Talley holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and furthered her classical voice training at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.
In an evolving partnership, BCC featured Embrace Boston President and CEO Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast Committee Co-Chair The Rev. Dr. Jay Williams, highlighting how the three organizations will plan to celebrate and honor the legacy of MLK in the future.
Road to Freedom” is made possible in part by generous sponsors, TD Bank, Eastern Bank, and Boston Medical Center. BCC concerts are also made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The concert was live streamed and can be watched at bit.ly/BCCRoadToFreedom.
About Boston Children’s Chorus
Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) was founded in 2003 by Hubie Jones, a civic leader who has worked for six decades to address the social problems facing Boston’s underserved children and communities. Named Boston’s “Ambassadors of Harmony” by The Boston Globe, BCC harnesses the power of music to connect Boston’s diverse communities, cultivate empathy, and inspire social inquiry. BCC after-school choral programs include 11 choirs with singers from 110 different zip codes in and around Boston. BCC is also proud to partner with schools to provide in-school choral education in Mattapan, Roxbury, South Boston, East Boston, Allston and the city of Chelsea. BCC presents over 50 performances per season in a wide range of public and private events. They have performed in venues from Boston Symphony Hall, and Royal Albert Hall in London, to Sydney Opera House, and the White House.
BCC is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
About the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert:
The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert is a celebratory evening of story and song that reflects on the life and enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. King. Each year, over 300 children from BCC’s after-school and in-school choirs present a rousing program that spans the musical genres of gospel, pop, musical theatre, traditional spirituals, and rock, exploring the Civil Rights Movement of the fifties and sixties and its connections with contemporary movements both in the states and abroad. BCC’s annual MLK Jr. Tribute Concert is a treasured Boston musical tradition presented to sold-out audiences at Boston’s Symphony Hall and broadcast internationally online. Previous guest artists have included vocalists such as Leslie Odom Jr., Melinda Doolittle, and Renese King.
The 22nd anniversary concert, “Road To Freedom”, explored the intersecting paths of two iconic figures in the fight for civil rights: Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. In Road to Freedom, BCC delved into the complex and multifaceted relationship between these two towering figures, highlighting their shared struggles, divergent tactics, and ultimate contributions to the fight for equality. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, though often portrayed as ideological opposites, shared an unwavering commitment to the cause of civil rights and a common vision of freedom and dignity for all. Through powerful music and poignant narratives, BCC traced their respective journeys from disparate beginnings to their converging paths in the pursuit of a common goal: the realization of a more just and equitable society.
