The University of Mississippi celebrated its 20th year of the 2025 Black History Month concert on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center with the show, “If Love Fails, Try Nothing Else.”
The concert featured Grammy Award-winning soprano Angela Brown and accompanying performances by the Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble and the University of Mississippi Concert Singers.
Nancy Balach, chair and professor of music, delivered opening remarks and reminded attendees of the night’s themes — love and unity.
“No matter what has brought each of us here tonight, I hope that all of us feel a sense of belonging” Balach said.
The crowd was invited to stand together and sing the opening song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” led by soloist Abi Thomas, who also performed with the Concert Singers.
The Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble was introduced by the MC of the night, Obianuju Akunna Njoku, assistant professor of ethnomusicology and gender studies.
The opening performance consisted of a Southern Ewe social dance called Agbadza. As drums and cowbells played, the audience was invited to clap with the beat. As the song slowly built, members came out one by one, gracing the stage with their colorful traditional attire.
After the ensemble’s songs of God’s love and grace, the stage was set for the headliner, Angela Brown.
Brown delivered backstories to each of her performances, explaining how each song was written for her through different shows she has participated in throughout her career. She also explained the relationship of each song to the theme of the concert.
Her second performance, “Cherise’s Story – When the Caged Bird Sings,” was inspired by poet Maya Angelou. This aria tells the story of a young woman praying to God for her life to be easy but also asking for help in facing challenges even when things are not easy.
Sophomore integrated marketing communications and music double major Anna Seelbach indicated this was her favorite part of the concert.
“The story of a mother talking to their daughter with so much love is such a universal feeling that made me feel a lot of emotion,” Seelbach said.
After a full crowd standing ovation for Brown, the night was closed out by the Concert Singers, who performed a gospel mass.
An expression of gratitude was given by Professor of Music George Dor, producer of the concert since 2005.
“The UM Black History Month Concert will remain one of my legacies to our beloved university,” Dor said. “I am thankful to several kind-hearted administrators and hardworking university staff for their support that has shaped this concert, the Black History Month Concert, into a major and memorable annual event.”
To end the night, the Concert Singers went off mic and stood at the end of the stage to face the audience as they performed “We Shall Overcome.”
Jacobie Steen, a sophomore music education major and a member of the Concert Singers, expressed the deeper meaning and impact performing this song had on him.
“I almost teared up while performing this song. It talks about the sacrifices and struggles that our ancestors went through, and me having to convey that message with the audience was so impactful,” Steen said. “I wanted to really make my ancestors feel proud and seen and know that they always have a place in our hearts.”
