You’re reading a story from Sidelines 100, a project showcasing a century of student storytelling at Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines 100 plans to highlight 100 stories from the newspaper archives this fall and spring.

This story originally ran in the Feb. 3, 2011, edition of Sidelines. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay on top of all things Sidelines 100.

Students kicked off this year’s Black History Month on Tuesday by enjoying a variety of African-American centered musical numbers and parts of history performed by Keith Craig.

Craig, who is from Washington, D.C., sang a variety of music, from old African spirituals to operatic arias, in his performance entitled “Keith Craig Musical Melody.” Each song carried a theme of perseverance and hope.

“An an artist, you have to pretend to be happy, even when you’re not happy,” Craig said, reference a piece from Margaret Bonds, the first Black composer to gain recognition in the U.S. Her song “Minstrel Man” depicts Black life in the 1940s.

Bonds, who studied music at The Julliard School, worked closely with well-known Black American author Langston Hughes, Craig said. “Minstrel Man” and two more stories were inspired by Hughes’s visions of a nation that employed equality.

“I am an American too,” Craig said. “Just because my skin is a different color – that doesn’t mean anything.”

Bonds also composed the spiritual “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands.” Craig said he chose to include this piece because,” no matter what influences our lives, we must know there is a power greater than us.”

Two of Craig’s choices came from the time period in which slavery began in the U.S. “Is There Anybody Here That Loves My Jesus?” and “Ride On, King Jesus” were both sung by early slaves, Craig said.

“It is from these people that [today’s music] music comes from,” Craig said.

To illustrate its widespread influence, Craig sang “A Te, O Cara,” or “To You, Oh Dear,” an aria from the opera “I Puritani,” written by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini in 1835. The aria was made famous by Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, Craig said.

Kaylina Madison, a master’s candidate, accompanied Craig on piano.

Vincent Windrow, director of the Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Center, organized the performance. Windrow said the center seeks to enhance education by exposing students to different cultures.