LA Focus - On the Word: Inner City Youth Orchestra of L.A. Hosts Uplifting Concert for Wildfire Relief
by Lisa Richardson | February 13, 2025
Los Angeles, CA – The Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) presented a Wildfire Benefit Concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 2 to aid those impacted by the wildfires that recently engulfed Altadena, the Palisades, and other areas within our region. The historic and majestic First United Methodist Church of Pasadena (FUMC) served as host as 80 members of the orchestra and an 80-voice choir made up of members of the Angel City Chorale, the Chancel Choir of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, the Holman Choir of Holman United Methodist Church, the choir of Leo Baeck Temple, the Towne Singers of Altadena/Pasadena, and others performed spirituals, patriotic music, and works to uplift, heal and renew.
The concert also featured Soprano Elicia Freeman in an extraordinary rendition of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand.” The congregation joined with the orchestra and choir singing “We Shall Not Be Moved” as the grand finale to the performance.
Rev. Amy Aitken, Pastor of FUMC, offered words of welcome and an invocation. ICYOLA’s dear friend John Semcken served as Master of Ceremonies, and words of compassion were offered from: Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, President of Fuller Theological Seminary; Jon McCuir, Pastor of Victory Bible Church; and George Hurtt, Pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.
The concert was particularly meaningful for ICYOLA Founder and Conductor Charles Dickerson who grew up in Altadena. “This tragedy is near and personal to me,” he said. “The only home my parents ever owned was in Altadena, and the homes where my brother and I raised our children both burned to the ground. So, Altadena is home for us, and we came here to serve those who now call this community – a community that gave our family so much – home.”
The concert also served as a fundraiser where community members, houses of faith, and charities could contribute to a fund specifically created to assist those who suffered damage and loss from the wildfires. The fundraising effort, managed by the California Community Foundation, has garnered over $50,000 thus far.
Event co-sponsors included: KBLA 1580 AM, KTLA5, the Empowerment Congress, LA Focus, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.