Ithaca College

The Ithaca College School of Music will sponsor "Underground Railroad," a musical tribute to be performed by more than 150 elementary and middle school musicians in recognition of Black History Month. The free concert will take place on Thursday, February 17, at 7:00 p.m. in Ford Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music.

The young musicians will come from Utica's Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School as well as the Greater Ithaca Activity Center, Southside Community Center, Community Unity Music Education Project, Beverly J. Martin Elementary School, and Boynton Middle School. Under the direction of Baruch Whitehead, assistant professor of music education at the College, the performers will sing and play various instruments.

"The program is designed to teach students about the many contributions African Americans have made to this country and to connect with African-American culture through music," says Whitehead.

Also contributing to the performance will be Bernard Woma, who will play the Ghanaian xylophone, and Cynthia Henderson, assistant professor of theater arts, who will portray Harriet Tubman, a leading figure in the Underground Railroad. School of Music freshman Darren Simonson will narrate.