June has been a very busy month for the MMLA Board of Directors and Advisory Board.
Wednesday, June 13th the MMLA Board of Directors and Dorsay Dujon, went to City Hall where MMLA was honored with a Proclamation. The Proclamation was presented by(former Council President) Councilmember Eric Garcetti.
Councilmember Garcetti read the Proclamation describing the event history, the significance of having MMLA and how "music is the universal language."
Dorsay thanked Councilmembers Garcetti and Tom LaBonge for being the champions of MMLA in addition to MMLA partners, Metro, the The Mayor's Office, Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Dorsay and Linda McShan were seated early in the Council Chambers and had an opportunity to speak with Officer Johnson, one of the members of LAPD who presides over the workings of the Council.
It turned out that Officer Johnson was very interested in MMLA. While Dorsay was on the telephone working out parking details, Officer Johnson spoke of his early years in Michigan and of learning the French Horn with Linda.
So while Dorsay was addressing the Council --she asked the Councilmembers if they knew Officer Johnson played the French Horn. Smiles all around and laughter and pleasant greetings filled the air while the surprised Councilmembers discussed not having realized that there were probably musicians and artists among the group. Indeed Councilmember Garcetti is a pianist and published composer.
Tom LaBonge who was presiding over the meeting in the presidents seat actually broke out into song and asked the audience to participate.
The feeling in the Council Chambers was warm, gracious and up-lifting. MMLA was surely one of the brightest moments of the day.
As we walked from the Council Chambers to have pictures taken with Councilmember Garcetti and Olga Garay, General Manager and Executive Director of the Department of Cultural Affiars, Councilmembers, Bernard Parks and Jan Perry congratulated Dorsay and the MMLA board.
Final preparations are being made for the kickoff concert being held at the Federal Building in Westwood.
Mykesha Robinson brought together Pastor Michael Fisher of the Greater Zion Family Church, Pastor Fisher is also the Director of the award winning "Voices of Destiny Choir" who along with George Novinger, Conductor of the US Department of State, Los Angeles Consular Choir will present for the first time the "Make Music Los Angeles Unity Choir Celebration" at the Federal Building.
Pastor Fisher had a vision of bringing together choirs from all over the city from diverse communities to celebrate Make Music LA. The collaboration of the two choirs has manifested in what will be an amazing presentation.
On the bill with the choirs is the the "Watts Village Theater Company and a new addition to the presentation is "The Los Angeles Trombone Collective."
Please join us at a location near you for Make Music LA.
