John Malveaux Says Lesson of Georgia Laster Branch of NANM scholarship fundraising concert is 'YES WE CAN'

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..."

John Malveaux of www.MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

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 100^th 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.