This summer, musicians from Colorado to Virginia participated in vigils in memory of Elijah McClain, a Black massage therapist and violinist who was killed by police in Aurora, Colorado in 2019. Violinists, violists, cellists, and other string musicians performed at what were dubbed “violin vigils,” beginning in late June with an event in Aurora, Colorado. In Boston, approximately 30 string musicians gathered at First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Amazing Grace,” and other music. In Cincinnati, professional and amateur musicians joined for a violin vigil for McClain in Washington Park; the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra was among the event’s organizers. Philadelphia Orchestra cellist John Koen was joined by string musicians for candlelight vigils for McClain and Mouhamed Cisse, an eighteen-year-old Philadelphia cellist slain by an unknown assailant on June 1. And in Richmond, Virginia, musicians met at the Robert E. Lee monument to perform a violin vigil honoring McClain. Jennifer Arnold, director of artistic planning and operations at the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, helped organize the event with Sara Jobin, a conductor and RSO supporter. The performance included George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, conducted by Naima Burrs.
Caption: Jennifer Arnold, director of artistic planning and operations at the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, performs with local musicians during a violin vigil for Elijah McClain at Richmond’s Robert E. Lee statue.
