Orchestra Conductor at Detroit's Cass Tech: 'I am scheduled to be laid off as of Sunday, March 7, 2010'

Aja Burrell Wood is a PhD Candidate at The University of Michigan in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She writes about the scheduled layoff of Marc W. Haas, Orchestra Conductor and Music teacher at Detroit's Cass Technical High School, which she attended:

“More than 25 music and art teachers are threatened with Feb. 28 or March 7, 2010 layoffs. In my view, the arts programs in Detroit are one of the things that have been working for decades within the Detroit Public School system despite its troubles in other areas. Losing arts teachers and programs would only serve to put Detroit's youth in further peril.

“Quite simply, I believe the arts matter. The arts provide access to success in all areas. Our nation's arts programs not only produce talented and successful artists, but also talented and successful surgeons, lawyers, scientists, politicians, business executives, etc....leaders period. Let us not lose what has proven to contribute to greatness time and time again.” “The letter below comes from the Conductor of the Orchestra and Music teacher Mr. Marc Haas.”

[Excerpts] “Dear Orchestra Students and Parents
It is with profound regret that I have to inform all of you that I am scheduled to be laid off as of Sunday, March 7, 2010. My teaching assignment is 'not currently designated as a critical shortage area,' therefore, after history of some 90 years, the Cass Tech orchestra program finally comes to an end. It is of absolutely vital importance that the students continue to work hard--indeed, now, harder than ever--as these layoffs are sometimes rescinded at the last moment. Now, more than ever, the students have to 'show out'--if the excellence of our program counts for anything, NOW is
when we have to show that excellence.

“Over the 15 years that I have been at Cass Tech, and in the many decades before I got here, thousands of students have benefited enormously from participation in one of the best music programs in the country. It is a tragedy that that is now to be taken away from our students, and our society will be the poorer for the loss of program that produced artists like Diana Ross, Lily Tomlin, Regina Carter, Donald Byrd, and put members in every major orchestra in the country.” “If you have strong feelings on this matter, please make them known to any and all. Please forward this to anyone you know who might be interested, or be able to help avert this tragedy
With great sorrow, Marc Haas”

3 Pianists of African Descent in Rare 8-Hands Recital at Cayman Arts Festival Feb. 6, 2010

[TOP: John McLaughlin Williams CENTER: Symphonie: Organ Works by Charles-Marie Widor; Marcel Dupre; Naji Hakim; Jean Roger-Ducasse; Wayne Marshall, organ; Virgin Classics (2000) BOTTOM: Ravel: Music for Two Pianos; Micallef-Inanga Piano Duo; Somm 25 (2002)]

AfriClassical learned of this recital at the Cayman Arts Festival in the Cayman Islands from our friend John McLaughlin Williams.

CaymanArtsFestival.com
“2+2=8
The Micallef-Inanga Duo with John McLaughlin Williams and Wayne Marshall
7:30pm, Saturday 6th Febuary, 2010 | Venue: First Baptist Church
For the first time in Cayman, 4 pianists – 8 hands – play on two pianos. The Micallef-Inanga Piano Duo is joined by pianists Wayne Marshall and John McLaughlin Williams. This is high entertainment and pianistic-acrobatics abound during this astounding performance.”

John McLaughlin Williams has been interviewed twice by AfriClassical and has often been he subject of posts. He has made 12 recordings as performer, conductor or both. These include one which brought him a 2007 Grammy Award and a later disc which earned him a nomination for a Grammy. His biography is found at: http://www.gkwcreative.com/artist_detail.php?id=7 JMW, as he is often called, gave us this information about the 8-hand arrangements in which he participated at the Cayman Arts Festival:

“As part of the Cayman Festival of the Arts I participated in an evening of 2 piano 8 hand arrangements of famous orchestral music. Concerts of this kind don't happen very often anymore. (These arrangements were very popular in the late nineteenth century and up until the first half of the 20th century as a way of familiarizing the public with the new, great music of the day, as well as offering opportunities for extremely fun social evenings. The arrangements themselves are high-level professional settings not meant for beginners or intermediate performers.) We performed Liszt Rakoczi March, Chabrier's Espana, Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre, Dvorak's Slavonic Dance in G Minor, Khachaturian's Saber Dance and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. It was a glorious noise!

“The performers were Hyperion recording artists the Inanga-Micallef Duo (you can read about them on the Cayman Arts Festival site), myself and Wayne Marshall, who is very well known in Europe.” Wayne Marshall was the subject of an AfriClassical post on Aug. 13, 2009: “Black British Organist Wayne Marshall Performs at Royal Albert Hall October 21” Wayne's website is: http://www.waynemarshall.com/ AfriClassical wrote about Glen Inanga and his partner Jennifer Micallef, who is from Malta, on Oct. 20, 2007: "Glen Inanga, Nigerian Pianist in Micallef-Inanga Duo" The Duo's website is: http://www.micallefinanga.com/

Cayman Arts Festival
8-Hands Piano
John McLaughlin Williams
Wayne Marshall
Glen Inanga
Jennifer Micallef

Detroit News: 'Young musicians impress in Sphinx Competition at Orchestra Hall'

[Gareth Johnson, 24, of Wellington, Fla., took first place in the Sphinx Competition for String Players. (David Guralnick / The Detroit News)]

DetNews.com
February 08, 2010
“String contest boosts Latino, black players
Oralandar Brand-Williams / The Detroit News
Detroit -- Sounds of classical music filled Orchestra Hall on Sunday as young musicians from around the country competed in the 13th Annual Sphinx Competition for young black and Latino string players.” “The top three contenders in the senior division and the winner of the junior division performed in the Finals Concert at Orchestra Hall, bringing the audience to its feet several times for for the classical music offerings of Mozart, Saint-Saens, Bartok and Abels.

“Twenty-four-year-old Gareth Johnson of Wellington, Fla., took first place in the senior competition. The second-place winner was 20-year-old Paul Laraia of Boston; and John Sanderson, a 20-year-old Indiana resident, finished third. Thirteen-year-old Randall Goosby of Bartlett, Tenn., won first prize in the junior division of the national competition. He received $5,000 and a chance to perform with several national orchestras.

“The young musicians performed before a sold-out crowd of an estimated 1,800 people. Johnson, who has performed as a soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, said he felt 'on top of the world' from Sunday's win, which includes a record contract. 'I've been planning for this for two years,' said Johnson of his Sunday performance. Johnson said he started playing violin at the age of 10. 'I've always loved music,' he said. Johnson plans to audition next month for a music program at the Julliard School in New York. As part of his audition to the school, he will perform in front of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman.

“Jerome Sanderson, the father of third-place winner John Sanderson, praised the efforts of the Sphinx Organization to foster racial and ethnic diversity in the classical music arena by helping younger musicians of color fine-tune their craft. 'The Sphinx Organization is providing role models,' said Jerome Sanderson. 'You see blacks and Latinos achieving great heights and musical excellence.' Aaron Dworkin, founder and president of the Sphinx Organization, said while his foundation has made some progress in bringing diversity to classical music and orchestras around the country, there is still 'a long way to go.'" [The Founder/President of The Sphinx Organization is violinist Aaron P. Dworkin (b. 1970), who is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Richard Alston: 'Piano Compositions by Composers of African Descent' Montclair, NJ Feb. 14

[Richard C. Alston, Pianist]

“Richard Alston, Pianist in concert, 'Classically Black'
Performing Piano Compositions By Composers of African Descent
A Benefit Concert/Lecture With Proceeds To Trinity Presbyterian Church. Orange Road and High Street, Montclair, New Jersey.
Sunday, February 14, 2010, 4:00 pm
For information call 973-744-3396”

"...Outgoing, warm and exciting. Music seems to pervade his very body. When he performs, the infectious love of music is immediately transmitted...Plays with sensitivity, lyricism, as well as virtuosity." Betty Allen, President Emeritus, Harlem School of the Arts

Please visit Mr. Alston’s web site http://www.richardcalston.com

Program

I
Troubled Water...Margaret Bonds

II
Adagio in F Minor...Le Chevalier de Saint Georges
Basso Tuba Waltz, op. 5...Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
Maple Leaf Rag...Scott Joplin
Summerland...William Grant Still
The Bamboula...Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

III
In The Bottoms (Suite)...R. Nathaniel Dett
Prelude (Night)
His Song
Honey
Barcarolle (Morning)
Juba (Dance)

IV
Sonata No. 1...George Walker
Theme and Variations

V
Fantasie Nègre...Florence B. Price

[Margaret Bonds, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, R. Nathaniel Dett, Scott Joplin, Florence B. Price, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, William Grant Still, George Walker and Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Richard Alston
Classically Black
Trinity Presbyterian
Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Florence B. Price
Margaret Bonds

Cellist Dr. Timothy Holley in 'An Evening of Diamonds II', Feb. 9, 7:30 PM, Belhaven University

[Dr. Timothy W. Holley]

Dr. Timothy W. Holley is a cellist who is Assistant Professor of Music and Director, University Honors Program, at North Carolina Central University. We last wrote about him on the occasion of his Faculty Lecture-Recital, “The Influence of the Negro Spiritual on the Cello Music of African-American Composers,” presented on Oct. 11, 2009. He sends us this information about an event on Feb. 9, 2010:

“Please share this item with the AfriClassical community....
As part of Belhaven University’s Preston Chamber Music Series, the Belhaven Music Department presents 'An Evening of Diamonds II' on February 9th at 7:30 pm. Visiting cellist Dr. Tim Holley presents a recital blending contemporary and traditional works with spirituals and sacred music. The program also features 'A Darkened Glass' for solo cello, composed by Belhaven professor Dr. Andrew Sauerwein. Thank you. Tim

New York Times: 'A Long Island Composers’ Alliance Salute to Black History Month' Feb. 14 & 21

[SPOTLIGHT Tara Nova with Paul Hefner. Eirini Vourloumis for The New York Times]

NYTimes.com
Arts | Long Island
The Melody and Lyrics of Black History
By KARIN LIPSON
Published: February 5, 2010
“LAST spring Paul Hefner, a bandleader and composer from Floral Park, had the idea of spotlighting Tara Nova, a longtime vocalist with his group, in a concert with a local twist: It would feature music by his colleagues in the Long Island Composers' Alliance, which has more than 50 members. 'I’ll get a number of people to compose just for you,' Mr. Hefner, 55, said he told Ms. Nova, who not only liked the idea, but countered with one of her own. For the lyrics, said the singer, who is black, why not use texts by black poets like Langston Hughes?

“That exchange was the seed for 'A Long Island Composers’ Alliance Salute to Black History Month,' a concert of nearly 20 works to be held on Feb. 21 at the South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Freeport. (Its debut will be on Feb. 14, at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan.)” “Ms. Nova — her stage name, and the only one she would reveal — will perform in 12 numbers from an eclectic program of jazz and modern classical music.”

“The concert is dedicated to the memory of Hale Smith, the black composer who died in Freeport in November at age 84. It will include several pieces by Mr. Smith, who was a member of the composers’ alliance and whose music bridged the worlds of classical music and jazz. The Village of Freeport will also honor the late composer: At the Feb. 21 concert, Mayor Andrew Hardwick is scheduled to present Mr. Smith’s widow, Juanita, with a lifetime achievement award for her husband and to declare the day Hale Smith Day. [Hale Smith is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma can be found]

Dedicated to Hale Smith
Tara Nova
Paul Hefner
Juanita Smith
Long Island Composers' Alliance
Black History

Compass.Blogs.StarNewsOnline.com: Marvin V. Curtis Performs at 'Heart Strings' Feb. 7

(Marvin V. Curtis)

On August 29, 2008 we quoted SouthBendTribune.com as saying: “Marvin V. Curtis has been named conductor for the South Bend Symphonic Choir, an ensemble in residence at Indiana University South Bend. Curtis recently was appointed dean of the Ernestine M. Raclin School of Music at IUSB and had been the assistant dean and choral director at Fayetteville (N.C.) State University before coming to IUSB.” On Feb. 20, 2009 AfriClassical excerpted a Black History Month story in The South Bend Tribune, “Concert designed to 'Lift Every voice.'”

Compass.Blogs.StarNewsOnline.com
February 5th, 2010 04:43pm
'Heart Strings' brings pianist/composer Marvin Curtis, jazz man Stanley Baird, to town
by John Staton
“A nationally known authority on on African-American music and an acclaimed jazz musician are coming to perform in Wilmington.

Marvin Curtis (above), a pianist and composer who wrote 'The City on the Hill,' a choral work performed at President Clinton’s 1993 inauguration, will perform at 'Heart Strings: Music for the Soul,' a benefit concert for New Hanover County Community Action.” “Heart Strings is 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at St. Stephen AME Church, 601 Red Cross St. in Wilmington.”

“Curtis is a former choral director at Fayetteville State University and he’s now Dean of the Raclin School of Arts at Indiana University South Bend. His works have been performed by orchestras across the nation. In December, he directed the South Bend Symphonic Choir on the State Floor of the White House. 'Heart Strings' will also have performances by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and the Fayetteville State University Choir.”

'Black Classical Musicians in Philadelphia' by Elaine Mack is Topic of WHYY Radio Feb. 12, 11 AM

[Elaine Mack]

Richard Greene is the creator of a valuable reference site, "Classical Music Recordings of Black Composers: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to Recorded Works Available on Compact Disc,
1990 to the present," http://astro.temple.edu/~rgreene/BlackComp/ It has long been linked to the Composers of African Descent section of AfriClassical.com. He has also operated an online calendar called “Black Classical Musicians and Concerts,” for Philadelphia and the surrounding area. We received this message from himon Feb. 5, 2010:

“This is to inform you I have been notified that Philly's public broadcasting station WHYY has just booked a show regarding the book Black Classical Musicians in Philadelphia. The book's author, Elaine Mack, developed oral histories spanning four generations of black men and women. Program guests will be Ms. Mack along with two of the book's subjects; David Lofton (piano) and Blanche Burton Lyles (vocal and Marian Anderson Museum). The program, Radio Times (WHYY) with host Marty Moss-Coane, is to be aired Friday, February 12th from 11 a.m. to noon. Also to be available online based on personal listening schedules. Regards, Richard”

Elaine Mack left a post in the Guest Book at AfriClassical.com on Feb. 5:
“I am a cellist, teacher, and author who has just released her first book, Black Classical Musicians in Philadelphia: oral histories covering four generations. The product of 14 years of work, this book consists of personal interviews with Black musicians who were born, bred, educated, or made major contributions to the musical life of Philadelphia. Also included is an extensive historical perspective, photos from private collections and more. Presently, it is available from my website...”

She added the address of her website, http://www.elainecello.com/, and explained: “Just wanted to be sure my website is readily available. I'm happy to have found africlassical.com.”

Fred Onovwerosuoke's 'Suite No. 2' (in African Modes) Premiered in St. Louis Feb. 6

[Fred Onovwerosuoke]

Dr. Fred Onovwerosuoke of African Musical Arts, Inc. brings this news to the attention of AfriClassical:
"Dear Friends, We invite you to bring a friend to a wonderful concert by the Cameron Youth Chamber Orchestra of St Louis, tomorrow Sat Feb 6, 5 PM at the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center. Please support this St Louis legacy in their presentation of select Black composers of classical music, including the World Premiere by a youth orchestra of Fred Onovwerosuoke's Suite No. 2 (in African Modes) for String Orchestra.

"Date: Feb 6, 2010
Work: Suite No. 2 (in African Modes) for String Orchestra
Performer: Cameron Youth Chamber Orchestra
Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, St Louis, MO. 5:00PM
2711 Locust Street, St Louis, MO 63103
Tickets: $50 (Dinner & Concert)

Come. And please bring a friend. And if you can't come, please contact the Cameron Youth Chamber Orchestra at http://www.cameronyco.com/ to send a donation

African Musical Arts, Inc.
3547 Olive Street, Suite 110
St. Louis, MO 63103
Tel: 314-652-6800
http://africarts.org

Music of Occide Jeanty, Ludovic Lamothe & Julio Racine on Haitian Program at Lawrence U. Feb. 6

[Julio Racine]

AfriClassical has heard from Janet Anthony, Professor of Music, Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, Appleton, Wisconsin. She tells us that Haitian music will be presented at the school Feb. 6, 2010.

Program:

Tangente au Yanvalou by Julio Racine (b. 1945) will be performed by Deborah Etienne, flute & Steven Huang, piano.

Claire de Lune by Sabrina Jean Louis (b. 1994) & Choucoune by Michel Mauleart Monton & Arranged by Hector Lominy, will be performed by Janet Anthony, Carolyn Armstrong, Lindsay Schwartz & Anna Henke, cellos.

Twa wond ayisyen (Traditional Haitian Songs) Nou somm’ twa peti jandamm’ Arranged by John Jost, Solda wa Milo & Twa fwa pasé la will be performed by Singers from the Milwaukee Choral Artists under Sharon Hynsen, Director.

Dominus Vobiscum by Sidney Guillaume (b. 1982) will be performed by Shazore Shah, soloist & Friends of Haiti Chamber Choir, led by Tercy Hethkenly, director.

Documentary Film Footage, Bel Son Productions

Friends of Haiti Chamber Orchestra

Marassa é Iou by Werner Jaegerhuber (1900-1953) & Sous la Tonnelle by Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953), directed by Janet Anthony, conductor.

Danse Capoise by Ludovic Lamothe, led by Keith Johnston, conductor.

Retraite aux Flambeau by Ludovic Lamothe, under direction of Steven Huang, conductor.

Trois Contes Haitiennes by Férére Laguerre (1935-1983); Siwo Grenadine, Ti Zwazo & Conte Haitienne will be performed along with La Delaisse et ses Soupirs by Occide Jeanty (1860-1936), under the direction of John Jost, conductor.
[Occide Jeanty, Ludovic Lamothe & Julio Racine are profiled at AfriClassical.com]