Our Reply to Violence
Following the tragic shootings that took place in Orlando, Florida at the Pulse night club, Daniela Sikora, music director for the Ridgefield Chorale, felt that she needed to do something to honor the victims. Our Reply To Violence – A Concert took place last night at The Ridgefield Playhouse. A powerful reply to violence, our community is testimony that love can conquer death, that light can overcome the darkness.
The free concert included outstanding performances by The Ridgefield Chorale, The Ridgefield Symphony, The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, SPHERE, Daniel C. Levine, and other talented locals.
Ira Joe Fisher, who wasn't able to attend, created a video which featured his original poem, "A Question". Please take a moment and watch the video. It's embedded in this post. You can also click here to watch it. You will be glad you did. Here is an excerpt of Fisher's poignant poem:
Tonight is all about questions.
Don't ask, are you straight or gay; are you black or beige.
Don't ask, do you wear a cross, or a star, or a crescent around your neck.
But, ask:
Can you cry - and do you?
Can you greive - and do you?
Ask, can you love, and do you?
Leonard Bernstein wrote:
We musicians, like everyone else, are numb with sorrow at this murder, and with rage at the senselessness of the crime. But this sorrow and rage will not inflame us to seek retribution; rather they will inflame our art. Our music will never again be quite the same. This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before. And with each note we will honor the spirit of John Kennedy, commemorate his courage, and reaffirm his faith in the Triumph of the Mind.
Last night, Ridgefield's reply to violence was honorable, beautiful, unforgettable. Thank you to all who packed the Playhouse, thank you to all who performed. And thank you to Daniela the idea, and for Allison Stockel for embracing it and allowing it to happen.
