Children's Choir members Arianna Ashton and Safara Parrott, both of Willis, study their music during rehearsal of The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Mass Choir at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive. The choir will perform during the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration Jan. 18 at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. Photo by David HopperBy KIM MORGAN
Chronicle correspondent

Music speaks a universal language, which is why it will be an integral part of the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Jan. 18.

Music directors from churches across The Woodlands are encouraging residents of Montgomery County to come forth for rehearsals in anticipation of performing during the big event.

Rehearsals are 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Jan. 12, 14 and 17 at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive.

Several choir directors are working with the adult choir, which is now nearly 100 people strong: Joseph McKinney from StoneBridge, Elijah Hill from St. Paul's, Michael Pickett from Pleasant Hill Baptist, Eulalia King of Eulalia King Ministries, and Don Barrick from First Baptist.

"The mass choir is an integral part of the celebration because it brings a lot of different people together," Barrick said. "Music is multi-cultural and multi-racial. We all join together to make one thing, and that's Dr. King's point."

There will also be a performance by the children's choir, said event coordinator Myrna Irons.

Roche Coleman, senior pastor at St. Paul Church of The Woodlands, said the annual commemoration has always resulted in an excellent turn out, which is why they have to hold the event at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

Coleman said nearly 1,000 folks will likely attend.

"It commemorates the legacy of Dr. King, it shares in his vision of uniting people together, of breaking down the barriers of prejudice and racism," Coleman said. "But we also highlight achievement and encourage kids to strive."

That's why during the celebration, the names of four Conroe ISD students will be announced as essay contest winners.

Their essays will focus on the theme "What Can I Do to Make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream a Reality?" The submission deadline was Jan. 7.

Each winner will receive a $500 continuing education scholarship.

The winner of the poster contest with the theme of "Living the Dream" will also be announced.

Irons said a major focus of the celebration is yet another announcement, this one for the Drum Major Award recipient, which will be an individual or an organization in the community that fosters the ideals of King.

The title of the award, Irons said, is derived from a sermon King gave in February 1968.

In the sermon King calls the innate human need for recognition and the desire for distinction the Drum Major instinct.

"Dr. King said 'if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, say that I was a drum major for peace, I was a drum major for righteousness,'" Irons said.

The event's guest speaker will be Lone Star College-Montgomery President Austin Lane, who said it's an honor and a privilege.

"My address will focus on living, experiencing, upholding, and achieving the dream through education and community service," Lane said. "Although I was not alive during the life of MLK, talking with my mother and grandmother, and reading about his accomplishments and challenges during the civil rights era inspired me to dedicate my life to service, particularly service that impacts humanity."

Want to go?
What: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration
When: noon to 1 p.m. Monday Jan. 18
Where: The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive
Sponsored by: St. Paul Church of The Woodlands, 5401 Shadowbend Place
For more information: 281-367-9366