As a 23-year-old black man from the Deep South, Christopher Crump did not participate in the civil rights marches of the 1960s. He was never denied a ballot at a polling place and never forced to sit at the back of the bus. Still, Crump had a significant role in the remaking of America’s racial story. “It was joy if nothing else,” says Crump, one of the millions of Americans to descend on the nation’s capital in January to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama. “There are few things that could rival this experience.” Crump was one of 16 students from Jackson State University who also had the distinction of performing at three inaugural events sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, the United Negro College Fund and the Church of Epiphany in Washington, D.C. “Through this experience, they’ve had an opportunity to share in the groundbreaking history of our country,” says Dr. Robert Blaine, director of orchestral studies at Jackson State. “As one person said to me during the trip, ‘This time we are all history majors.’ And they are literally living history.” The group was invited to perform as part of the inaugural festivities by U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson. The Mississippi native and JSU alum performed a musical selection with the orchestra during a 2007 concert at the Library of Congress. Thompson’s invitation for the group meant relentless practices – mornings and evenings – which began immediately following the winter break. The invite also meant Blaine and Rachel Jordan, director of strings, had to find the perfect pieces of music, fitting for a president who has inspired an entire country. So Jordan and Blaine chose, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and “The Lark Ascending.” Blaine’s arrangement of the Negro National Anthem included a soulful saxophone solo by Courtland Saxon, a senior music performance major from Augusta, Ga. During its performance, the JSU orchestra was accompanied by gospel singing group Mary Mary. Jordan said the performance – specifically Ralph Vaughan WilString bassist Timila Echols says she was honored to perform during inauguration celebrations for President Barack Obama.
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