Marching Forward
Bridging History and Harmony Through Music
a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March—and coinciding with America’s 250th birthday—the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra has named acclaimed composer Dr. Nkeiru Okoye its inaugural William Levi Dawson Composer-in-Residence. Central to her season-long residency is the creation and premiere of A Time for Jubilee, a 25-minute oratorio for soprano, SATB choir, and orchestra.
The work honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose leadership during the Selma to Montgomery marches galvanized the civil rights movement and reshaped the course of American history. Rooted in Alabama’s civil rights legacy and rich spiritual traditions, A Time for Jubilee tells a powerful story of grief, resistance, and collective hope.
The oratorio traces a symbolic journey from Marion to Montgomery, with each movement shaped by Okoye’s original libretto—blending historic protest refrains, sacred language, and poetic storytelling. Phrases like “Oh Freedom” and “All are precious in His sight” ground the piece in themes of dignity, resilience, and vision.
World Premiere
The world premiere will take place on February 9, 2026, at Troy University’s Davis Theatre in Montgomery, conducted by Maestro Jamie Reeves and featuring acclaimed soprano Laquita Mitchell. A mass choir—comprising students from Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, and other local colleges—will join the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra to bring the piece to life, along with works by American composers Adolphus Hailstork and Aaron Copland.
Meet Nkeiru Okoye
William L. Dawson Composer-in-Residence, 2025
American composer and lyricist Nkeiru Okoye has been hailed as “gripping” and “evocative” by the New York Times. In 2020, the Detroit Symphony named her Composer-in-Residence for their Classical Roots Festival, featuring her work Black Bottom. In 2023-2024, Nkeiru Okoye was “Creator in Residence” for the Louisville Orchestra’s Creator Corps. Her works have been commissioned and performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Juilliard School, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Tanglewood Music Festival, and many others. Nkeiru Okoye is a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow and 2021-23 Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellow.
Click here to read more about composer Nkeiru Okoye.
We Need Your Help!
Commissioning a new symphonic work is a complex and resource-intensive process that involves compensating the composer for their creative expertise, time, and effort in crafting a unique and high-quality piece of music. Additionally, the project may require research, collaboration with musicians, and revisions to ensure the work aligns with artistic and cultural goals.
On top of the commission expenses, Dr. Okoye is also serving as Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Composer-in-Residence for 2025. She will travel to Montgomery several times throughout the year to assist in her preparations for the commission and to engage in community projects.