My memories of the 2016 Florida Folk Festival come in moments. Like standing beneath the shade of one the Seminole Family Camp structures, listening to the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra as they began a rendition of “Hallelujah.” One student sang, and as the set was acoustic, we all held our breaths and leaned forward to catch her words as they floated over us. During the chorus, she paused for just a moment to ask the audience to join in, and with all voices lifted together we sang with her. The song is haunting, and the young musicians played beautifully. Time seemed to stop as we swayed, dozens of people united as one. It was magical.

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