This rendition of "We Shall Overcome," arranged and conducted by Dr. Philip Woodmore, and sung by John Leggette, Duane Foster, and De-Rance Blaylock, is the final song in The Drum Major Instinct.

The Drum Major Instinct presents dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "The Drum Major Instinct"—a powerful, cautionary sermon about the impulse in all humans to be first—for diverse audiences, with the goal of generating powerful dialogue about racism, inequality, and social justice, fostering compassion, understanding, and positive action. These readings are accompanied by original and arranged music composed and conducted by Dr. Philip Woodmore, featuring a choir of diverse singers from St. Louis, Missouri and New York City.

On Sunday, February 4, 1968, Dr. King delivered "The Drum Major Instinct" at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, exactly two months before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. In it, he prophetically spoke of his own imminent death and laid out a challenge to his congregation, and also the world, to harness an inborn human drive—“the desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first”— and use it to promote justice, righteousness, and peace by channeling it into acts of service and love. The “distorted personality,” King argued, fails to harness this” the drum major instinct” for good and instead, "ends up trying to push others down in order to push himself up," leading to “the most tragic expressions of man's inhumanity to man,” including white supremacy, violence, consumerism, inequality, and unjust wars.

More than fifty years after King’s death, and in light of the violence, bigotry, and sedition recently on display in the United States Capitol, his sermon resonates with new depth and meaning. In the spirit of promoting open, candid, constructive dialogue during this fractious, violent, divided time, we present The Drum Major Instinct with the hope that it will lead to much-needed healing, reflection, and resolve at this critical juncture in our nation’s history.

This special presentation in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was co-presented by Theater of War Productions and the Office of the New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Featuring readings by Congressman Jamaal Bowman of New York, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Moses Ingram (The Queen’s Gambit), and performances by soloists De-Rance Blaylock, Duane Foster, and John Leggette.

Directed and Facilitated by Bryan Doerries

Music Composed and Conducted by Dr. Philip Woodmore

Co- facilitated by De-Andrea Blaylock Johnson

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