Latin held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Commemoration this past Wednesday with an assembly featuring keynote speaker Damien Geter. Before students continued their action-packed day of civic engagement, learning, and community building, they heard a thoughtful presentation from the Portland-based composer.

Damien Geter is well-known for his work as the Music Director of the Portland Opera and his role as Composer-in-Residence of the Richmond Symphony. Through his work, Mr. Geter uses music to explore themes of racial identity and social justice in America, highlighted in works like An African American Requiem (2022) and Loving v. Virginia (2025).

The assembly began with a brief introduction from DEI Curriculum Coordinator and Upper School English teacher Brandon Woods, a former colleague of Mr. Geter’s. Mr. Woods embraced Mr. Geter before welcoming him on stage.

Mr. Geter shared parts of his personal history as well as audio clips from two pieces he had written. He explained several artistic choices in “An African American Requiem,” such as the inclusion of a key-shifted National Anthem that spoke to the grief felt by marginalized people in the U.S. Mr. Geter also pointed out that the music becomes silent on the word “free” during the anthem, symbolizing the injustices faced by Black Americans throughout the nation’s history and the modern day.

The assembly helped prepare students for the hours ahead of them, which were full of workshops and service projects that advanced the day’s theme of “Aspire Together: Changemakers in Action!” Mr. Geter’s presentation encouraged students to reflect on MLK’s dream and message, highlighting how MLK’s message continues to inspire students to become changemakers in their communities.