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A chorus of 500 local children will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing" on its 125th anniversary. | Submitted

BIT OF JOY | 500 voices needed

Published on January 31, 2025 at 8:00 am
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Jacksonville natives James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson’s iconic song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black National Anthem, was first performed on Feb. 12, 1900, by a chorus of 500 Jacksonville children. In honor of the 125th anniversary of that first performance, the Friends of the Brentwood Public Library want to recreate the historic day. But first, they need 500 children. Singers in grades 3-12 can register by Feb. 3 to be a part of history. Sign up.

The Feb. 12 performance will be the kickoff of the five-day Lift Every Voice and Sing Festival. Read the full story for everything that’s planned for the fest. 

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author image Newsletter Writer email Heather Henderson is a writer, editor and artist who has lived in Jax for close to 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Florida.

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