AfterGlow Chorus is working hard on the special, memorial concert in Oakland, CA on Sunday, August 7, 2022 called, "Pandemic & Racism: What's Going On."
One of the beautiful songs from our concert is "I've Been in the Storm So Long." Based on an African-American spiritual, Dr. Jeffrey Ames composed this stunning work to honor the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We share this gorgeous video of the piece by the world-famous choir The Aeolians of Oakwood University.
These words by Dr. Ames speak volumes: "Throughout life’s journey, problems arise in various forms causing physical, spiritual, and emotional turmoil. African-Americans have often referred to life’s trials as 'storms.' In the text of this nineteenth century spiritual, former slaves compared the suffering, pain, and hardships they experienced to those of a merciless storm. "It is ironic how the text of this traditional spiritual is timeless. This piece continues to speak to the 'storms' all humankind will face, and the unwavering courage and strength we all need to triumph over life’s storms" We're humbled to be performing this in our August 7th concert in honor of all victims of both the pandemic and racism.