Alonzo Chadwick Performs a Rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come”

Portland-based vocalist Alonzo Chadwick performs a stunning rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”

Portland-based vocalist Alonzo Chadwick performs a stunning rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The performance is both a response to the ongoing fight for civil rights in the current moment, and a tribute to the work done by educators in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alonzo especially wanted to highlight the work done by Self Enhancement, Inc., a Portland non-profit organization providing academic support and other services for African American students and their families. This organization provided support for 16,073 students in families in 2019, has seen a 96% high school graduation rate, and has secured more than $450,000 in scholarships for SEI students.

This performance is part of a series of videos produced by the Oregon Symphony called Essential Sounds. Each episode plays tribute to a different group of people holding our communities together during the pandemic, from doctors and nurses to food service workers. Alonzo’s performance is part of Episode 5, celebrating educators. The full episode will be available at orsymphony.org/essential on Sunday, August 9 at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time.

Oregon Symphony