Commemorating Maestro Michael Morgan
Michael Morgan and Terrance Kelly at Oakland Symphony’s “Let Us Break Bread Together” Concert, December 2016
As the flags over Oakland’s City Hall fly at half-mast today in honor of the legacy of a visionary artist, community leader, mentor, conductor, and friend, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir family shares this statement of our grief over the loss of Oakland icon, Maestro Michael Morgan of the Oakland Symphony.
OIGC Board President, Nicolia Gooding has sung with our choir for many years, and recalls working with Maestro fondly, “There’s only one Michael Morgan in a generation. He embodied creativity and used his interpretation of art to impact the masses with his inclusive style that allowed for every instrument that could be played or used to make synchronous art. Our community is forever impacted by the genius of Maestro Morgan, and we grieve with our artistic family and music lovers far and wide.”
She goes on to share, “OIGC members have a deeper appreciation of the Hallelujah Chorus because of the skillful way Michael Morgan taught us, and we learned to sing professionally with symphonies because of his education and the precious time he took to educate us in love. The holiday seasons won’t be the same without his smiling face conducting Let us Break Bread Together, each December. He will be remembered with love as the ahead-of-his-time conductor he was. His impact will continue to bless all who heard his music, and the ripple effects of his commitment to community, to arts, and to education will permeate our community forevermore.”
Amongst his many other commitments and community contributions, Michael Morgan served on OIGC’s Advisory committee for many years, always ready with a creative idea or well-timed introduction. Our two sister arts organizations have collaborated many times on projects in the community and performances on numerous stages.
Even just this month, we were partnering with Maestro Morgan in music selection for OIGC’s annual participation in Maestro’s planned December Breaking Bread concert.
OIGC Artistic Director Terrance Kelly shared much in common over a decades-long friendship with Maestro Morgan: “When I learned that Maestro passed, my heart broke. I’ve been carrying my grief in silence until now. Oakland will miss the Maestro’s consummate musicianship, inventive and groundbreaking programming, infectious energy, and luminous smile! Maestro’s sense of right, social justice, and humor made him an always engaging and hilarious lunch buddy, and frequent phone friend -- Miss Ollie’s will never be the same for me! Oakland’s, and the wider Bay Area’s music scene has suffered a huge blow, but the Heavenly Orchestra has just turned up a notch or three. Maestro’s conductorial swing will, for me, never be matched! As an artist, I will miss Maestro deeply, but even more, I will miss my friend, Michael.”
It is through tears that our Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Family shares our love and fond recollections.
May his memory be a blessing.
On Wings, Maestro Michael.
