Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.—In celebration of Black History Month, Mississippi State’s 48-member Men of State ensemble will present a “Reflect and Rejoice” program Monday [Feb. 13] at First Baptist Church in Starkville.
Sponsored by MSU’s nationally accredited Department of Music, the free 7:30 p.m. event takes place at 106 East Lampkin St.
Featuring spirituals relating to Harriet Tubman’s work with the Underground Railroad, the program will be narrated by Men of State members, along with Rev. Embra Knox Jackson Jr. of Starkville.
Jackson serves as superintendent of the Starkville District of the Mississippi United Methodist Conference.
In addition to MSU, Jackson holds degrees from Tougaloo College, the University of Mississippi, the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and Memphis Theological Seminary.
A certified life coach, Jackson has taught at Starkville public schools, as well as Wood College in Jackson. He previously served as pastor and director of the Holmes County Larger Parish of the United Methodist Church.
Peter Infanger, MSU adjunct teacher of voice and Men of State conductor, expressed appreciation for the “privilege to present this event as part of the MSU choral program’s annual celebration of Black History Month.”
“Dr. Jackson and several Men of State members will share their reflections on race relations in America and the need for ongoing, open, caring discussions about race in the 21st century,” said Infanger, who also serves as FUMC’s director of music ministries.
During the performance, Men of State will be accompanied on piano by Joy Cariño, a junior English and mathematics double-major from Starkville.
For more concert information, contact Infanger at 662-323-5722 (ext. 13) or peter@first-umc.org. Gary Packwood, MSU choral activities director and associate professor of music, also may be reached at 662-325-3490 or GPackwood@colled.msstate.edu.
Part of the College of Education, MSU’s nationally accredited Department of Music is online at www.music.msstate.edu; its Men of State ensemble at http://www.statesings.com/State_Sings/Ensembles.html.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.