Brian and Molly Wallen perform “Imagine” by John Lennon, accompanied by Dr. Erin Colwitz, at Thursday’s Musical Vigil for Hope and Peace, held at the Marquette Hope Methodist Church. (Journal photo by Annie Lippert)

MARQUETTE — Hundreds of community members Thursday night gathered for a musical vigil for hope and peace organized by Northern Michigan University professor of Music, Dr. Erin Colwitz, at the Marquette Hope Methodist Church on Ridge Street in Marquette.

“Our country has taken a dark turn and many people are feeling scared, uneasy, disgusted and angry,” said Colwitz in an interview. “I wanted to offer an alternative to the darkness. I can offer music, and music can offer respite. I felt this was a good way to encourage connections between neighbors and bring us together in a positive way.”

Attendance was high, and every seat in the church was filled, with many people having to stand, sit on the floor, or spill into adjoining rooms.

The event opened with words from Reverend Christopher Hintz of the Marquette Hope Church.

“Our response to the unnecessary, unjust violence and bloodshed which has claimed lives and caused untold harm for so many others is not to incite further chaos, but to offer words of grace in the universal language of music,” said Hintz. “So tonight we gather in unity to sing for hope, for peace, for justice, for an end to the dehumanizing actions and events that sadly we are witness to each and every day.”

Colwtiz also spoke, sharing that “I came to this realization on Sunday, after I finished church. I went home and I’ve been thinking a lot about Alex Pretti, who coincidentally happened to be one of my mother’s students at Green Bay Preble High School … I think we all felt Renee Good’s death was absolutely tragic. We could all, especially as a woman, see her struggles and her wanting to do good, and then being killed for it. And then taking that one step further, compounding it, we had another innocent death. It was almost more than I could handle in that moment.”

“I’ve been a musician my entire life,” said Colwitz. “It’s the way I live; it’s the way I express myself and the way I work through big feelings. I felt that I could offer something by way of my talents that could help to heal a scared and hurting community.

“I am guessing we’ll see more of this type of event in our community and in others. I think we all have things to offer that are in direct contrast with the violence we are seeing now on TV via our Executive Branch. MLK Jr. said, only love can drive out the darkness; only love can drive out hate. Instead of responding the way they want us to respond, let’s respond in a manner that is completely opposite of what we are seeing. Let’s answer with music.”

“I wanted to offer up a sing-along as a re-direction, if you will,” said Colwtiz. “Let’s focus on what we can bring to the table that makes us feel safe, loved, and secure, in spite of what we see and hear on the news and on social media.”

The musical vigil was made up largely of protest songs, such as “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” by Pete Seeger and “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell. Musicians included Dr. Erin Colwitz, Brian and Molly Wallen, the Cloverland Band (Sarah Mittlefehldt, John Gillette, Kerry Yost and Stephanie Whiton), Patrick Booth, Jan Arnold, Keri Lee Pierson, Christopher Schoelen, Mary and Jeff Burbey, Jan Arnold and Jim Pennel.

“I hope that people feel uplifted, if only for a few hours,” said Colwtiz. “I hope that people feel there is still hope for this country, for our children, our descendents. I hope that people feel they can express their emotions through the songs we will sing. I hope people can come to a place surrounded by their neighbors and feel safe. I hope they feel a sense of relief as they sing about hope, change, peace, freedom and the beauty of this country we call home. I hope we can come together and feel a sense of belonging.”

It certainly appeared that people felt that way. Everyone was encouraged to sing along, and there was much embracing of neighbors, as well as shedding of tears.

“Although this isn’t expressly a protest, I want people to remember that we stood together in the face of injustice,” said Colwitz. “And at the end of the day, we are standing on the right side of history. Lead with love. That’s all we can do.”

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext.. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.