CLEVELAND — After a season without live shows, members of the Cleveland Orchestra are thrilled the doors to Severance Hall are open again.

“We’re just so heartened to see people back in the concert hall again," Conductor Vinay Parameswaran said. "It means the world."

The sounds heard inside of Cleveland’s iconic Severance Hall are often conducted by Parameswaran. Although he has conducted countless concerts since 2017, he said the upcoming annual free Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration concert is one of his favorites because it highlights community and service. 

“The point of this concert is to honor Dr. King's legacy and reflect on all he did and obviously celebrate those who continue his legacy of service,” Parameswaran said. 

This year's program will showcase the music of prominent Black composers. 

“I think what's exciting is its composers across multiple decades," Parameswaran said. "I mean, there's one piece that had its premiere in 1898. And, you know, Dolores White and Mary D. Watkins are still with us." 

The volunteer Martin Luther King Jr. community chorus brings together singers from across Northeast Ohio who will take to the stage. 

“This concert really is about inviting everyone and embracing our community,” Parameswaran said. "The fact that we invite volunteers to join us on stage, we don't have this barrier for this concert of no, you can't join us."

Parameswaran said above all else, he hopes the music sends concert-goers an inspiring message.   

“We all can, in our small way, find a way to serve our community and reach deep into our community, and I think that's really the point of this concert, and I hope that people feel that after they leave the hall," he said.

Editor's Note: Conductor Vinay Parameswaran's name was misspelled in a previous version of this story. This has been corrected. (June 3, 2022)