Folk Singer Visits Hamagrael | Award-Winning Musician

Folk musician Reggie Harris engages students with songs and stories at Hamagrael Elementary School.

A powerful connection to the past unfolded recently at Hamagrael Elementary School, where students learned the birth name of Harriet Tubman was Araminta “Minty” Ross. Folk musician, storyteller, and educator Reggie Harris brought history to life through an interactive presentation, revealing the courageous journey of a woman who became a beacon of hope for countless enslaved people.

Music as a Lifeline: Exploring the Underground Railroad

The program highlighted the crucial role of music in the struggle for liberation during a pivotal chapter in American history.

• Reggie Harris, a Kennedy Center Partners in Education teaching artist, led the presentation.
• The program, titled “Music and the Underground Railroad,” explored freedom songs as a form of communication and resistance.
• Students learned about Araminta “Minty” Ross’s life, her escape from enslavement, and her subsequent work guiding others to freedom.
• Music served as a covert method for enslaved people to share vital information about escape routes and safe havens.

Harris, a veteran educator with over three decades of experience, is recognized as a leading interpreter of music’s role in social change movements. He skillfully wove together songs and narratives, guiding students through the harrowing realities of slavery and the unwavering determination of those who sought freedom.

During the presentation, students actively participated in call-and-response songs, experiencing firsthand how music functioned as a secret language for enslaved individuals and their allies. These songs weren’t merely entertainment; they carried coded messages about meeting points, secure locations, and escape plans.

Reggie Harris shares stories and songs with students during his presentation.

Harris’s charismatic storytelling and evocative songs illuminated the hope, resilience, and ultimate triumph achieved through a diverse network of individuals who supported the cause of liberation. He revealed how a shared commitment to freedom transcended cultural boundaries.

What role did music play in the Underground Railroad? Music served as a vital form of communication, offering coded messages about escape routes, safe houses, and meeting times, all while providing emotional strength and solidarity to those seeking freedom.

Students engage with the presentation, learning about the Underground Railroad through music and storytelling.

The visit was made possible thanks to the efforts of General Music Teacher and Choral Director Courtney Giampaolo, and the support of the Bethlehem Music Association.