Page 49 - June2021

19th District officer helps CPD choir and community members make music
n BY KAREN JENKINS
The Chicago Police Department Choir reprised its successful Unity Music Concert on May 15 after public praise for its perfor- mance in August 2020.
Nineteenth District Officer Shanita Foster joined the organi- zation’s effort to bridge the gap between community members and law enforcement while honoring fallen officers.
“We really wanted to paint the picture of the community and police working together,” Foster explained. “It was great to be back with the community and celebrating the officers who put their lives on the line.”
Foster brought in community members and made sure that each resident was positioned next to a law enforcement officer so that they could share a music stand. They performed a num- ber of classics, including the chorus parts of “We Are the World.”
“[The police and community members] had to learn the notes together,” shared Foster, who has 18 years on the job. “In- stead of having a rehearsal, I appointed section leaders. So I had a section leader for the sopranos, altos, tenors, and they taught each group their part in rehearsal.”
Foster helped organize the same event last summer after postponing its original May 2020 date due to concerns sur- rounding COVID-19. Since the 2020 performance gathered to- gether youth programs and law enforcement, she decided that this year’s concert would honor fallen officers.
The 19th District officer is proud of the success of partnering with the CPD Choir, and she hopes to continue helping organize the Unity Music Concert for many more years.
“It was great to be able to bridge that gap between the com- munity and the police,” she said. “We all came together at the same time for a good cause. It was amazing.”
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