2015 Colour of Music Festival / All Black Classical Musicians / Oct 21-25 Charleston SC

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799) is featured at AfriClassical.com
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Gerard Aimontche

2015 Colour of Music Festival ▪ Charleston SC ▪ October 21-25

Black Professional Classical Musicians Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  — September 10, 2015 Charleston, South Carolina — Few classical music enthusiasts are aware of the tremendous contributions of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an African-French composer whose opera and classical masterpieces equaled or far exceeded those of his 18th century contemporaries. Although his compositions are highly recognized overseas, they have gathered little notice in the United States. Today there are thousands of celebrated and prodigiously talented classical principals, composers and performers of African descent throughout the world. Yet, their opportunities to grace concert stages of major American orchestras are rare to non-existent. The Colour of Music Festival’s mission is reversing this trend.

Now in its third year the Colour of Music Festival offers a musical kaleidoscope highlighting the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture. The third annual Colour of Music Festival will take place October 21-25, 2015 at various venues throughout historic Charleston, South Carolina.

Showcasing acclaimed black chamber ensemble players and artists to form the Colour of Music Festival Orchestra, the five-day festival showcases top black classical musicians in the U.S., Canada, Russia, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe trained at some of the most prestigious music schools, conservatories and universities in the world. 

Maestro Marlon Daniel, Music Director of New York-based Ensemble Du Monde, Artistic Director of Festival International Saint-Georges and Principal Guest Conductor of the Sofia Sinfonietta in Bulgaria, will once again serve as Music Director and conduct the Festival’s orchestra.  Festival headliners include Aldolphus Hailstork, Fulbright Fellow and a Cultural Laureate from the Commonwealth of Virginia, who will serve as the Festival’s first Composer-in-Residence whose works blend musical ideas from both the African and European traditions.

2015 Colour of Music Festival Highlights

Opening day of the Festival, in a special evening performance Wednesday, October 21, virtuoso violinist Gareth Johnson and the Colour of Music Virtuosi will perform Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ Violin Concerto’s No. 1 and No. 2 for the first time in the United States – the same program will also feature Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 in A Major, Op 47.

The Festival Masterworks Series will open with a black Russian piano virtuoso, Gerard Aimontche, performing Serge Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 Friday, October 23.

Another Festival first includes a Saturday evening black tie gala performance of Hailstork’s Shout for Joy! followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on Saturday, October 24. The Festival closes Sunday, October 25 with a glorious Ode to Black Composers in a performance of Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem under the baton of acclaimed Morehouse College Glee Club Conductor, David E. Morrow. The performance is dedicated to Charleston’s Emanuel-9 shooting victims.

In addition, a four-part daily morning symposium series featuring thought leaders and musicians will highlight academic perspectives of the cultural contributions of black composers. Topics include Charleston’s Contribution to Classical Music, Black Female Conductors, Black Musicologist Forum, and will feature violinist George Bridgetower.

“From Russia, Canada to numerous states throughout the U.S., black composers, classically trained instrumentalists and vocal artists all have contributed significantly to the world of classical music. I am thrilled to once again produce a series of performances that showcases the talent musicians. Collectively, this year’s Festival participants carry forward with pride and the legacy of Saint Georges, George Bridgetower and many others of African ancestry on the stage of the new Gaillard Center. We hope to inspire young black artists to further their musical pursuits in the classical realm, including the pipe organ,” said Lee Pringle, Festival Founder and General Manager of the Festival.

 “What better city than Charleston, one of America’s most admired cities, to again partner with world renowned musicians from around the globe. This year’s Festival brings me great joy. My debut in the new Gaillard Center is exciting. I am again inspired to contribute to this history-making effort,” says Maestro Daniel, Festival Music Director.

The full Colour of Music Festival schedule and tickets can be purchased at the Gaillard Center Box Office, 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston, by phone at (843) 242-3099 or online at www.colourofmusic.org beginning September 15. Series packages with discounts up to 30% off are available. All-inclusive packages for college professors and administrators, church groups, and/ groups of ten or more are available. All tickets are $10 for schools and church youth groups. Tickets also available at the door (credit card, cash or check) before each performance.

A vast array of Charleston’s notable annual events attracts visitors from around the globe including Spoleto USA Festival, South Eastern Wildlife Festival, Charleston Food and Wine Festival and now the Colour of Music Festival. With rave media reviews from major publications, the 2014 Colour of Music Festival drew almost 5,000 guests and was hailed by Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley as “a crowning achievement in Charleston’s cultural life that gives residents and visitors alike yet another reason to enjoy Charleston!”

Download full Colour of Music Festival brochure here.

COLOUR OF MUSIC FESTIVAL Program Schedule October 21-25, 2015 Charleston SC

Special Event • 6:00pm Charleston County Main Library
Mon Oct 12         Symposium, Dr. Nicholas Butler, Ph.D.  

Fiddles for Negro Players

Special Event • 1:00pm Gaillard Center Salon 1
Fri Oct 23             Pauletta Washington                                                                                     

                                PerForum: It’s All About the Kids

Spotlight Event • 5:00pm  Grace Episcopal Church

Sat Oct 17            Double Treble Organ and Piano                                                                

Spotlight Event  • 7:00pm Grace Episcopal Church

Sat Oct 17            Vocal Recital                                                                      

                                Kimwana Doner, soprano                                                                            

Symposium Presentations • 10:00am  Gaillard Center Salon 1

Wed Oct 21        Charleston’s Contributions to Classical Music                     

Thu Oct 22           Black Female Composers                                                                             

Fri Oct 23             Black Female Conductors, Black Musicologist Forum                       

Sat Oct 24            Black Virtuoso Violinist George Bridgetower                                       

High Noon Organ Recitals • 12:00pm Grace Episcopal Church

Wed Oct 21        Prince N. Nyatanga                                                                        

Thu Oct 22           Mickey Thomas Terry                                                                    

Fri Oct 23             James P. Smith                                                                                

Sat Oct 24            Christopher Johnson                                                                    

Chamber Music Vocal Matinees • 2:00pm St. Stephens Episcopal Church

Wed Oct 21        Kevin Thompson, bass                                                                  

Thu Oct 22           Russell Thomas, tenor                                                                  

Fri Oct 23             Sidney Outlaw, baritone                                              

Sat Oct 24            Laquita Mitchell, soprano                                                                            

Ebony and Ivory Piano Recitals • 4:00pm Charleston Museum Wilcox Auditorium

Wed Oct 21        Richard Alston                                                                                  

Thu Oct 22           Dianne White-Gould                                                                                     

Fri Oct 23             Charles Pettaway                                                                                            

Sat Oct 24            Karen Walwyn                                                                  

           

Chamber Evening Recital • 6:00pm Charleston Museum Wilcox Auditorium

Wed Oct 21        Michael Jorgenson, Violinist, St. Georges & Kreutza Sonatas       

Thu Oct 22           Colour of Music Festival Virtuosi                                                              

Fri Oct 23             Monica Hargrave, Harpist                                                                           

Sat Oct 24            Gerard Aimontche, Pianist, Rachmaninov & Beethoven

Masterworks Series Gaillard Center

Fri Oct 23

8:00pm                 Hailstork, Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky                                  

                                Marlon Daniel, conductor

                       

Sat Oct 24            Gala Evening Performance Gaillard Center

8:00pm                 Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony                                                                                  

                                Marlon Daniel, conductor

                                Kimwana Doner, soprano, Ginger Robinson, mezzo-soprano

                                Russell Thomas, tenor, Kevin Thompson, bass

Sun Oct 25           Festival Finale – In Memory of the Emanuel-9 Gaillard Center    

3:00pm                 Brahms German Requiem, Mantinee                                    

                                David E. Morrow, conductor, Laquita Mitchell, soprano, Sidney Outlaw, baritone

Promotional images available upon request

About the Colour of Music Festival

Based in Charleston, South Carolina and organized in 2013, the Colour of Music Festival, Inc. presents a diverse classical repertoire of Baroque, Classical and 20^th century music at the highest of musical standards to diverse audiences throughout the Lowcountry, regionally and nationally. www.colourofmusic.org

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