East Village History Project Links to “Thomas 'Blind Tom' Wiggins” at AfriClassical.com

[Blind Tom, The Black Pianist-Composer: Continually Enslaved; Geneva Handy Southall; Scarecrow Press (2002)]

The “East Village History Project Blog” explores a part of New York City in which the African American pianist and composer Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins (1849-1908) lived for several years. This post links to the page on Wiggins at AfriClassical.com:
Friday, July 10, 2009
EVHP.blogspot.com
“The story of Thomas 'Blind Tom' Wiggins, former slave and musical genius
Thomas Greene Wiggins (1849-1908) was a former slave and indentured servant who began playing piano by the age of four and became one of the most celebrated musicians of the Civil War era. Thomas was born autistic and without sight on May 25, 1849 to Mungo and Charity Wiggins, two Georgia plantation slaves owned by Wiley Edward Jones. His family was sold soon after to Colonel James Neil Bethune, and Tom was 'thrown in as a bargain.' By all accounts, because of his disabilities, Thomas was treated like a 'household pet,' but Bethune's daughter Mary recognized talent in the young boy and became his first music teacher. Thomas learned fast and began performing publicly by the age of eight.”

“John G. Bethune had himself appointed Thomas's legal guardian on July 25, 1870, and soon moved to New York City to live with his new new wife, the owner of the boarding house where they lived (7 St. Marks Place). Over the following nine years, while living here on St. Marks Place, Thomas Wiggins studied music with Professor Joseph Poznanski, who wrote down and collected many of Thomas' original compositions.” [A complete Works List for Thomas “Blind Tom” Wioggins has been compiled by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma and can be found at AfriClassical.com]

Lecture on William Grant Still '...was when I got turned on to his incredible body of work.'

[William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; Fort Smith Symphony; John Jeter, Conductor; Naxos 8.559174 (2005)]

The Guest Book at AfriClassical.com received this entry today: “What a great site! I was privileged to hear a lecture by Judith Still (William Grant Still's daughter) when I was at the University of Michigan in the mid-80s, and that was when I got turned on to his incredible body of work. Thanks for this wonderful resource - more people should learn about the huge body of compositions by our Black American classical musician colleagues. Thank you! Mark Benedyk, Chicago, IL”

The recorded repertoire of William Grant Still is about to increase, as AfriClassical posted on June 22, 2009: “Fort Smith Symphony Records Premieres of William Grant Still's 4^th & 5^th Symphonies on Naxos.” We wrote, in part: “Judith Anne Still recently informed AfriClassical of a forthcoming recording of music of her father, William Grant Still, by the Fort Smith Symphony, whose Music Director and Conductor is John Jeter.” “The new disc is also a Naxos American Classics CD, and will feature William Grant Still's Symphony No. 4 (Autochthonous) (1947), Symphony No. 5 (Western Hemisphere) (1945, 1958) and Poem, for orchestra (1944) (12:30).” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is also found]

AfriClassical.com Guest Book
William Grant Still
Symphony No. 4 (Autochthonous)
Symphony No. 5 (Western Hemisphere)
Poem for Orchestra
Still Premieres on 2009 Naxos CD

Early Registration Extended to Aug. 1 for 'Music and the Arts: Still Our Only Future'

[William Grant Still (1895-1978); (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.)]

Recently the hotel for the upcoming conference (formerly the Country Inn & Suites) changed its name to the Natchez Grand Hotel. Therefore, there has been a change in their Reservations phone number and their website address. This new information has been posted to the conference website, http://www.williamgrantstill.com. (If you have any difficulties with your “Music and the Arts” reservation, please ask for Leigh Anne Mason at the Natchez Grand Hotel for assistance.)

For those who might still be deciding to register, please note that the Early Registration date has been extended to August 1^st. See you in Natchez!

Lisa M. Headlee, Conference Director of Communication and Events
[William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is also found]

Marlon Daniel Conducts 'Piano Passions: Beethoven Concerti at Kaufman Center' Aug. 13

ArtistWorld.org/
“Piano Passions: Beethoven Concerti at Kaufman Center”
“Beethoven's piano concerti are a testament to the composer’s enormous creativity and his undisputed place in the piano repertoire.” “On Thursday, August 13, 2009 7pm at Merkin Concert Hall (129 West 67^th Street NYC) The Piano Passions’ 2008/2009 pianists end their concert season with a collaboration with Ensemble du Monde, chamber orchestra, performing Beethoven’s concerti No. 3 Op. 37, 4 Op. 58 and 5 Op. 73 'Emperor'.” “Pianists Richard Dowling, Kimball Gallagher and Beatrice Long are the featured soloists. The orchestra, Ensemble du Monde, will be led by its Music Director and Conductor Marlon Daniel. General Admission: $35. Tickets are available at the Merkin Hall box office and also online at http://www.smarttix.com”

”Ludwig van Beethoven
Concerto No. 3 in C Minor Op. 37 – Richard Dowling
Concerto No. 4 in G Major Op. 58 – Kimball Gallagher

Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major Op. 73 “Emperor” – Beatrice Long”

“Piano Passions was established in 2005 as a concert series to increase public exposure of exceptional pianists. Exclusively run by the performers, it delights audiences with four to six concerts a year, featuring solo piano repertoire and a roster of outstanding musicians from all over the world.” “Founded in New York City in 2000 this dynamic young chamber orchestra, Ensemble du Monde (Ensemble of the World), was so named because of its representation of international musicians, currently representing over thirteen countries.” “Upcoming performances include a series of orchestral concerts dedicated to French composers from the 19^th through the 21^st centuries, "Current Concerti" a project that allows talented young composers to exhibit their newly created concertos in world première performances, concert performances of Bizet’s Carmen in Concert with some of the most talented up and coming stars of the opera world at Allice Tully Hall and a Zankel Hall début in collaboration with Opera Ebony.”

Piano Passions
Beethoven Concerti
Kaufman Center Aug. 13
Ensemble du Monde
Marlon Daniel
Merkin Concert Hall

2009 Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Tour Schedule

Tour Expanded to Record Number of Stops!

Launching a second year of its history-making tour, the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra is returning to the national spotlight in venues across the country including a return to Carnegie Hall. Presenters nationwide have again affirmed the importance of diverse programs that help to build diverse audiences. Sphinx proudly announces our annual showcase of outstanding Sphinx artists that brings the top young artists of color to the forefront of our field.

"Building on the phenomenal success we've had during the inaugural Fall 2008 Tour, the 2009 SCO Tour allows us to share the incredible talent of our Competition alumni and underperformed masterpieces of Black and Latino composers," said Sphinx Founder and President, Aaron P. Dworkin. "This year the number of performances has grown by 50% due to positive reviews of the inaugural tour along with our continued success in building new artistic partnerships."

2009 Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Tour Schedule

9/13- Kobacker Hall, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

9/15- E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron, OH

9/18- August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Pittsburgh, PA

9/20- Oberlin College Artist Recital Series, Oberlin, OH

9/24- The Porter Center for Performing Arts, Brevard College, Brevard, NC

9/27- North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

9/29- Kilbourne Concert Series, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

10/2- Tri-Institutional Noon Recitals, Rockefeller University, New York, NY

10/5- Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

10/7- Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY

10/21- California State University, Chico, CA

10/24- Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA

Last year, the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra along with the Harlem Quartet made a historic journey, marking the inaugural national tour in venues such as the Krannert Center, Detroit's Orchestra Hall, Harris Theatre and Carnegie Hall, reaching over 3,600 students during outreach sessions and concert audiences of 8,000. The tour garnered critical acclaim, including a rave review in The New York Times which described the performances as "passionate", "virtuosic", "excellent" and "elegant".

Drawn from alumni of the Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players, the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Tour continues to create new opportunities for talented young musicians of color. The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Tour is made possible through a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Target is the National Sponsor of Musical Encounters-The Tour! providing educational engagement sessions at each SCO Tour stop. [Aaron P. Dworkin (b. 1970) is an African American violinist who is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Sphinx Chamber Orchestra
Black & Latino String Players
2009 Tour
Sphinx Organization
Aaron P. Dworkin
Performances Up 50%

AllAfrica.com: 'African-Americans have proved their mettle as masters of this art form'

Cue Online (Grahamstown)

Africa: African-American Ensemble Explodes
Jeff Brukman
8 July 2009
"The consummate artistry of Marcus Eley (clarinet) and Lucerne DeSa (piano) makes the African-American Celebration an event to be included in your festival diary. But, you will be disappointed if you are expecting a distinct, unique African-American composition idiom to appear. The works of the African-American composers on offer all fall within the ambit of the traditional western canon. This programme could have been composed by any competent western art music composer, situated anywhere in the world. In this sense the programme shows that African-Americans have proved their mettle as masters of this art form.

"That they deserve recognition and exposure as exponents of their craft – an unqualified yes, but it would be a fallacy to believe that their music stands out as an unusual contribution when measured against the international norm. Apart from arrangements of Deep River and Amazing Grace there was little else which bore a direct link to the African-American experience. This is possibly a creative gap in the American musical canon which needs exploration and codification.

"Homage to western art
Yet, what was on offer was a meaningful contribution to the tradition of western art music. Eley’s poignant homage to William Grant Still through a romantically crafted Romance brought a rapturous response from the sizable audience. This work suited Eley’s warm, radiant tone and highlighted his phenomenal breath control, wide dynamic range and evenly produced sound across the instrument’s entire spectrum. The festival is indeed fortunate to host such a master of the clarinet. DeSa’s pianism is out of the top drawer with her vast array of touches, huge dynamic vocabulary, exceptional control over nuances and phenomenal digital accuracy making her the ideal partner for this programme." [Full Post] [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is also found.]

Marcus Eley, Clarinet
Lucerne DeSa, Piano
2009 National Arts Festival
South Africa
African American Composers
Western Art Music

Imani Winds: 2009 NANM Gala Artists in Concert, Monday, July 27, 7:30 PM

The Imani Winds will be in concert in the Grand Ballroom, The Double Tree Hotel, Chicago Magnificent Mile, 300 East Ohio Street,Chicago, Il 60611 Ticket price: $35.00. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.nanm.org or at the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute, 5500 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, on Mondays through Thursdays from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Please call 773-643-1388 to confirm ticket availability. If ordering by mail, please make checks payable to NANM, Inc., and furnish a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Celebrating our 90th Anniversary in Chicago, “Our Hometown.” NANM (The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.) 11551 South Laflin Street, Post Office Box 45053, Chicago, IL 60643 773-568-3818 (Voice) 773-785-5388 (Fax)

NANM Holds Pre-Conference Benefit Concert in Chicago on Saturday, July 25 at 7:00PM

NANM (The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.) celebrates its 90th Anniversary in Chicago, the city of its founding, from July 25-30, 2009. The annual meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, 300 East Ohio Street. President David E. Morrow has announced this year’s theme: “Tipping our hats to the past, rolling up our sleeves for the future.”

Festivities will begin with a pre-conference benefit concert for NANM on Saturday evening, July 25, at 7:00 p.m., featuring Donnie Ray Albert, baritone, and Marquita Lister, soprano, in “A Grand Night for Singing” with friends: Evan Bowers, tenor; Angela M. Brown, soprano; Alfreda Burke, soprano; Rodrick Dixon, tenor; Joseph Joubert, piano; Mark Rucker, baritone; Sadie Rucker, piano; and Louise Toppin, soprano. This evening of operatic arias, duets, musical theater excerpts, and spirituals will take place at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, 5301 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Tickets to this event may be purchased at http://www.nanm.org/ or at the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute, 5500 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, on Mondays through Thursdays from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Please call 773-643-1388 to confirm availability.

National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. Celebrates 90th Anniversary in Chicago July 25-30

[David Morrow, D.M.A., Associate Professor of Music at Morehouse College, is President of The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.]

NANM (The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.) celebrates its 90th Anniversary in Chicago, the city of its founding, from July 25-30, 2009. The annual meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, 300 East Ohio Street. President David E. Morrow has announced this year’s theme: “Tipping our hats to the past, rolling up our sleeves for the future.”

Festivities will begin with a pre-conference benefit concert for NANM on Saturday evening, July 25, at 7:00 p.m., featuring Donnie Ray Albert, baritone, and Marquita Lister, soprano, in “A Grand Night for Singing” with friends: Evan Bowers, tenor; Angela M. Brown, soprano; Alfreda Burke, soprano; Rodrick Dixon, tenor; Joseph Joubert, piano; Mark Rucker, baritone; Sadie Rucker, piano; and Louise Toppin, soprano.

This evening of operatic arias, duets, musical theater excerpts, and spirituals will take place at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, 5301 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago. General Admission is $35/$25 seniors and students. Tickets to this event may be purchased at http://www.nanm.org or at the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute, 5500 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, on Mondays through Thursdays from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Please call 773-643-1388 to confirm availability.

The conference officially opens on Sunday, July 26, with a Mass Meeting at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Congregational Church, 1613 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago. Admission is FREE and the public is invited to attend. In the evening, the annual national scholarship competition will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel at 7:30 p.m. This year’s instruments are winds and mallet percussion.
Musically yours,
Barbara Wright-Pryor
President
Chicago Music Association,
Branch No. 1, NANM Inc. (since 1919)
(A 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization)

Vice President
Advisory Council, South Shore Cultural Center
NANM 90th Anniversary
Chicago July 25-30, 2009
Barbara Wright-Pryor, President
Chicago Musical Association
Imani Winds
Louise Toppin

Southwest Chamber Music Festival: William Grant Still’s 'Four Indigenous Portraits' Aug. 8 & 9

[Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]

CultureSpotLA.com
“Chamber Music With Art in the Gardens July 6, 2009 By Julie Riggott Category: Classical Music and Opera
Gorgeous music? Check. Award-winning musicians? Check. Incredible garden setting? Check. Seats close enough to hear every note? Check. Southwest Chamber Music's Summer Festival at the Huntington has it all. The Grammy-winning ensemble plays classic and contemporary chamber music with precision and heart in the intimate Huntington Art Gallery loggia. Both players and audience are surrounded by sculpture and a lush green landscape. Lawn tickets are available for those who prefer to spread out a blanket and watch the stars twinkle in the gradually darkening evening sky. During intermission, patrons are invited to explore the adjacent Beaux-Arts mansion and its impressive European art collection, which includes the famous Thomas Gainsborough’s “Blue Boy” and Thomas Lawrence’s “Pinkie” paintings. Those looking for a complete sensory experience can dine at the Tea Room before the concerts. The four-concert festival runs July 11 through Aug. 23. Too bad summer isn’t a couple months longer.”

SWMusic.org
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9
William Grant Still’s “Four Indigenous Portraits for Flute and String Quartet”
Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Jet Whistle for Flute and Cello”
Alberto Ginastera’s “Impresiones de la Puna for Flute and String Quartet”
Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet

[William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is also found. The entry on Four Indigenous Portraits for flute & string quartet indicates the duration is 10:00, and lists the movements: 1. North American Negro; 2. South American Negro; 3. South American Indian; 4. North American Indian.]
Southwest Chamber Music
Summer Festival
William Grant Still
African American Composer
Four Indigenous Portraits
Flute & String Quartet