Victor Ekpo
Annelle K. Gregory
AfriClassical thanks Gloria Lindsay, Georgia Laster Scholarship Co-Chair, for this CORRECTION:
"...ICYOLA violinist Victor Ekpo was the third place winner in the 2012 Georgia Laster scholarship competition..."
The
word/term star is used so frequently, I will distinguish Annelle
Gregory as a QUASAR. Violinist Annelle Gregory illuminated the annual
Georgia Laster Branch of NANM scholarship fundraising concert while
performing Paganini’s ‘Rondo' from Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Inner
City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles under the direction of Charles
Dickerson. Earlier this year, I asked Joseph Taylor, music
director/conductor of the Bellflower Symphony if he knew a high school
classically trained youth with 'for-sure' potential to win a Gold Medal
at the NAACP ACT-SO national competition in Houston, Texas. Joe told me
about Annelle Gregory but explained that she lived in San Diego and
she would perform with the Bellflower Symphony in their annual concert
for young artists on April 21, 2012. Of course, I attended the concert
and when Annelle's mother introduced her to me, I instantly recognized
her maturity far beyond her age and felt her confidence and
determination to achieve greatness. Annelle subsequently decided to
represent the San Diego NAACP chapter in the ACT-SO competition and she
won the Gold.
Darryl
Taylor, professional countertenor, educator, and founder of the African
American Art Song Alliance opened the program with a penetrating
performance of ‘Prayer’ by H. Leslie Adams and concluded the first half
with a joyous ‘You can tell the World’ with arrangement by Margaret
Bond. Dr. Taylor referenced next year as the 100th
anniversary of Margaret Bond. Although Margaret Bond and I are years
apart, we shared composer Roy Harris. Margaret was a student of Roy.
At
the conclusion of the concert, Georgia Laster president Mamie Henry
gave teary comments of appreciation to the participating artists and
audience attendees. She and master of ceremony Ashley Taatoalia gave
repeated indications the concert had concluded but no one moved for
several minutes. I interpreted this brief period as a collective time
for reflection to fully absorb what Charles Dickerson and the Inner City
Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles is accomplishing and YES WE CAN.
I
should mention that ICYOLA violinist Victor Ekpo was the third place
winner in the 2012 Georgia Laster scholarship competition but he is
skilled, poised, and a favorite of Dickerson.
As
a post note, Sandy Wheeler is a retired music teacher and relentless
volunteer for community music programs. Dickerson called Sandy and the
mother of an orchestra player on stage for recognition of their birthday
with orchestra playing and audience singing. I don't know if the
Georgia Laster Branch achieved their financial goal but they
unquestionably provided a memorable performance opportunity for gifted
young musicians.
No comments:
Post a Comment