[TOP: Professor Janise White Conducts the AACMS Orchestra CENTER: Composer Howlett Smith at "Glory Hallelujah Variations" Premiere June 2010 BOTTOM: Cellists Nathaniel Ayers and Benton Preciado with Janise White, Conductor, at June 25, 2011 Concert]
John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD tells AfriClassical:
“Congratulations to Maestro Janise White and the Afro-American Chamber Music Society for a historical achievement. Please see http://www.razoo.com/story/Aacmso:
The Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra has been invited to perform the "Glory Hallelujah Variations" for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on August 28, 2011. This is a historic event for the U.S. and nations around the world, as Dr. King’s vision and timeless beliefs continue to resonate with people of all lands. World leaders, civil rights pioneers and thousands of citizens will be present. In 2010, Blind Jazz Pianist, Howlett "Smitty Smith" composed a concerto for Piano and Orchestra commemorating Dr. King's 1963,"I Have A Dream" Speech entitled, "Glory Hallelujah Variations". This work will receive a national premiere at the MLK Memorial Concert in Washington, DC.
The Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra was founded in 1987 by Professor Janise White, Valencia Mitchell and several colleagues from the University of Southern California dedicated to preserving the music of Black Symphonists. Since its inception, over 200 works have been discovered from research at archival collections, libraries and the Library of Congress dating from the 1600s. The orchestrations of historic works, donated scores and many commissioned works by composers of the African diaspora constitute the unique library AACMS has created for live performances. AACMS has toured Southern California's universities and colleges with Ms. Judith Still; appeared with "Roots" author, Alex Haley; Guest Conductors: Michael Morgan, Denis DeCoteau, Kermit Moore; performed for the Medici Awards, Brody Foundation, William Grant Still Anniversary Celebrations, National Baptist Convention, National Assocaition of Negro Musicians Conventions in Atlanta and Virginia, Africa Meets North America Festival at UCLA Schoenberg Auditorium and Dance Theatre of Harlem at USC Bovard Auditorium. Additionally, the AACMS Orchestra has concertized live over KUSC since 1988 and is the only chamber orchestra in California performing works by Black Symphonists exclusively.
[William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]
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