Healing through art and community, a choral concert that made a difference
Posted by Brandi Engel on May 10, 2019![Austin McWilliams in front of the AIDS Memorial Quilt](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/images/blog/u185/2019/austin.png)
When he read the email from McWilliams, it was an easy and enthusiastic “yes!” The unique nature of using music to tell this story really spoke to Watt, who was a music minor in college himself. He was also impressed by a man so young taking on material that was written in a time when HIV/AIDS was so devastating to the gay community. For McWilliams to want to tell that story now, when some of the cultural memory of the agony during that time in history is waning, was a surprise. "Some of the music that you are talking about really helps get the feeling and emotion of what it was like in the 80s and 90s," Watt explained. The pain of that period was still sharp on the faces of those who were affected by the AIDS epidemic in attendance.
Watt knew this was an import event for the community, but he also knew he could help. He was able to assist receiving pieces of the AIDS Memorial Quilt for the Dalton lobby as well as promote the event through social media. Watt also came to McWilliams’ class to teach the choirs about HIV prevention. “[CARES] added an element that wouldn’t have been there if it had just been my recital and not a collaboration with anyone else,” McWilliams said. An element that helped the choir members connect with the music on a deeper level than they would have before receiving that education.
"I just can’t stand things being mediocre. I just couldn’t live with myself for the rest of my life knowing that I had 50 people at my graduate recital." If the goal was over 50, McWilliams blew past that with over 300 in attendance. He wanted to make something that would excite the audience and also make classical music accessible. It was important to him to re-contextualize the music so it was significant and impactful in a contemporary way. He couldn’t stand the idea of only programming the work of dead white men, McWilliams wanted to include interesting and important music of today as well.
The result of McWilliams' careful planning and music selection was a graduate recital that not only engaged the community but brought them to tears, made them laugh and created a space to talk about an issue that has affected many lives. “I hope they took away an understanding of history and an understanding of hope for the future,” McWilliams said. While the AIDS epidemic has been devastating, medical advancements over the last 20 years have made an HIV diagnosis no longer a death sentence. People can live long, happy lives and McWilliams wanted that to be the ultimate focus of the recital. “Knowing that there is hope and there is help here in Kalamazoo.”
Dave Watt knew that music would be the perfect way to get that message to the community. “When things are at the worst, you can turn to music to help you get through. So much good music, so much art, so much creativity came because of this HIV epidemic and I think that comes through.”