A Duke Chorale Tribute to Western North Carolina Colleges
The Duke Community is still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across our state. In this heartfelt tribute, Duke University Chorale performs "The Road Home" by Stephen Paulus in honor of the colleges and universities of western North Carolina.
After watching the ongoing disaster unfold, the Duke Chorale sends this song to all of those impacted by tragic events across the region, including the sibling singers in the schools of Western North Carolina. Directed by Allan Friedman and accompanied by Mary Hamilton, this performance is meant to provide comfort and strength on the road to recovery and rebuilding.
Student members of the Chorale suggested this performance. One Chorale member, Sophia Solomon, is from Hot Springs, N.C., one of the towns that was hardest hit by flooding damage.
Solomon writes: “Hot Springs, a tiny town along the Appalachian Trail with a population of just 600, has been my home for most of my life. Like much of western North Carolina and the surrounding areas, it was devastated by flooding that followed Hurricane Helene. The images you may see online show the damage, but they fail to capture the remarkable resilience of our communities.
“Our mountain towns are small but mighty, showing extraordinary strength in the face of this hardship. People are coming together, sharing food, water, hard work, and limited electricity, while opening their homes to those who have lost everything. Being away during this difficult time is challenging. I have felt helpless as my family and friends have lost their businesses and homes. It has been especially hard watching from a distance when others are working so hard to rebuild their lives.
“But witnessing the outpouring of support from my community here at Duke has been incredibly encouraging. The initiative to create this video touched me deeply, and I know that it will move those across the state in similar situations. Music provides such a important way to connect, and especially in times like these it is such a gift having a group express their solidarity in sharing our voices to create something powerful and beautiful. It is beyond words how meaningful it is to know that our little communities aren’t standing alone and that my friends in the Chorale and across the Duke community who seemingly have no direct stake in our struggle are dedicating their time and thoughts to our recovery.
“While it's heartbreaking to see it in its current state, with the help of our community, both near and far, I know that we will persevere and rebuild.”
Please consider joining one of the many Duke relief efforts.