This Land Is Your Land…
Time for another career highlight, but in an unassuming way…
Last Thursday, OPUS 216 was invited by the Honorable Suzana Koch to perform during a Naturalization Ceremony for 49 new American citizens. The intentionality and care by which the service was planned, and Judge Koch’s commitment to elevating the service with music was honestly so moving. We connected about a month ago and she spoke at length on the phone about her own family’s journey from Macedonia (she is a first generation American), and how meaningful it is to have live, present music in big moments. I knew this was going to be a special process. We settled on a program of traditional American/patriotic music at key moments in the service, including for the posting of the colors by the Coast Guard, and following the presentation of certificates.
One by one, each newly minted citizen approached the bench to receive their certificate of naturalization and shake the judge’s hand: Yemen, Sudan, Mexico, Canada, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan, Haiti, Poland, Ukraine, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Philippines, South Korea, on and on…
What I loved about that courtroom today was that it looked like an America I’m proud of and want to see: different religions, cultures, languages, and traditions – wanting to be a part of something bigger. And each person there came with a profound story. Some undoubtedly connected to war and suffering, some for personal family reasons, some for economic or professional reasons, to be sure. To watch people literally change their life status in a moment felt like watching 50 people get married at once or something. It felt a little sacred, emotional, and almost intrusive. And behind each new citizen are hundreds of thousands of people waiting, striving, and hoping for the same opportunity.
I can’t remember whose idea it was to add a reflective piece after the presentation of certifications (hers or mine), but I intentionally landed on Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” for the conclusion of the service. Like America, it’s a multi-dimensional song with a nuanced past and which holds multiple meanings. We closed with “Stars and Stripes Forever” because I’m still a sucker for Sousa.
Anyway, I left inspired and full of gratitude. I think those of us who just happened to have a mom who gave birth to us within this place’s boundaries forget what extreme privilege we start our lives with. To be outnumbered in a room where people have had to work/study/fight/prove themselves to our system to be granted the same basic rights I just happen to have is both humbling and sobering. And in the midst of another stressful election season it reminds of what the values I hope we continue to strive for as a collective people.
This performance was funded via our JOIN concert series, which is stewarded by the wonderful people of Tuesday Musical. When supporters, clients, and friends give to our JOIN fund, performances like this and so many others are made possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You all know who you are. 🙏
To give to Tuesday Musical’s fund for future community based performances: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35316/store/donations/52551
OPUS 216 performs as a string trio at the Metzenbaum Federal Courthouse for a Naturalization Service for new U.S. citizens.