My wife, Suzanne, and I were guests of Professor Megan Murph, director of the Budds Center for American Music Studies, for a performance of “Music of the Underground Railroad: An Evening of Spirituals, Freedom Songs and Gospel Music.” The event was sponsored by the Budds Center, Missouri Folk Arts Program and Missouri Humanities.

The performances held at Sheryl Crow Hall in the Sinquefield Music Center featured the MU Sankofa Chorale and the Columbia College Unified Voices Gospel Choir, conducted by Professor Brandon A. Boyd and Mr. Ronnie Wilson, a doctoral student at Mizzou.

The evening’s performances ranged from spirituals written by Missouri composers Kyle Kelley and Anita Watkins-Stevens to the powerful “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. Music students also provided historical vignettes of the period.

Suzanne and I were so moved by the songs and the talent of our students and faculty.

— Mun