Over a century ago, civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson memorialized freedom from slavery with a prayer of faithfulness and thanksgiving, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Today, the hymn's legacy lives on as the Black National Anthem.
In this episode of Positive Vibes Only, acclaimed clarinetist Anthony McGill delivers a seamless solo performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." McGill stands centered in a dark room, illuminated by a single light; the simplistic staging allows McGill's emotive clarinet to drive the moving performance.
McGill is a revered soloist who has appeared in high-caliber orchestras – including the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera – and performed alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Gabriela Montero at President Barack Obama's inauguration.
Outside of his career as a performer, McGill is a faculty member at the Juilliard School and the Artist Director for Juilliard's Music Advancement Program. He is also an outspoken racial justice advocate and created the #TakeTwoKnees campaign in protest of police brutality after George Floyd's unlawful murder in 2020.
Press play on the video above to watch Anthony McGill celebrate Black joy with a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Positive Vibes Only.
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