Posted May 2, 2009 - 8:23pm by Lisa Wielunski
Graduate student Steven Hankle took part in the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, on stage for the festivities at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. He accompanied the San Francisco Boys Chorus on stage for its performance before millions of people including America’s leaders.
Hankle works frequently with the Boys Chorus as a singing chaperon, coach and summer camp assistant director. Last year Hankle helped rehearse and conduct the chorus for its trip to France, where its repertoire included “American Hymn,” one of the three songs performed for Obama.
Already inspired by Obama, Hankle felt more chills up his spine by being so close to the president — and it wasn’t just the cold weather. It made Hankle think about his father, who grew up in the Jim Crow era, and his ancestors.
“Like Obama said, people who took the whip and piled the dirt — This is for them,” the master’s degree candidate in choral conducting said. “People who survived, who made it through — They are why I’m here today, they are why Obama is here today.”
A Chicago native, Hankle (B.M., ’05) performs with the SF State Chamber Singers and was a member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus for two seasons. As an SF State undergraduate, he was an all-conference player and captain of the Men's Basketball team. After he graduates this May, the bass singer plans to continue performing, teaching and conducting. The first African American president has taught him that his career path will affect change.
“What I do, even if it’s music, is not meaningless,” Hankle said.
