Sunday, January 31, 2016
NPR.org: Symphony Of The City: Nigerian Artist Draws Songs From The Bustling Market
"Market Symphony" is a new audio installation at the
National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. The exhibition layers
sound from a market in Lagos, Nigeria. The speakers are installed on
enamelware trays which are often used in markets.
Courtesy of the National Museum of African Art
NPR.org: Artist Emeka Ogboh was commissioned by the museum to create a site-specific audio installation.
Adolphus Opara/Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
National Public Radio
January 31, 2016
To people who live in big cities, the sound of honking, the whir of
traffic, the howl of street vendors and the clang of construction can
just be background noise.
But for Nigerian sound and video artist Emeka Ogboh, the city is his palette — his symphony of sound. And his compositions can whisk the listener to another time and place.
"There are stories in the soundscape," he says. "There are stories
from the city. You can tell more about the city from just listening to
the soundscape. And that's what happened. I started finding it really
interesting."
Ogboh recorded hours of sounds to pull a listener
through the song of the bustling Balogun open-air market in the
Nigerian megacity of Lagos.
NPR's Michel Martin spoke with Ogboh and took a tour of his new exhibition, "Market Symphony," at the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. It's the first time the museum has featured a sound art exhibition, and it opens later this week.
James P. Johnson (1894-1955), Pioneer Stride Pianist, Was Born February 1; In 2015 he was inducted into Jazz at Lincoln Center's Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame
Victory Stride: The Symphonic Music of James P. Johnson; The Concordia Orchestra; Marin Alsop, Conductor; Music Masters 67140 (1994)
The African American composer and pianist James Price Johnson, profiled at AfriClassical.com, was born on Feb. 1, 1894 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
In his liner notes for
Victory Stride,
Scott E. Brown points out that James P. Johnson was called the
Father of Stride Piano: "James P. Johnson was an astounding musician, arguably the most important black musician in New York during the decade of the 1920s. He is best known in jazz as the Father of Stride Piano, a two-handed, solo piano style that developed out of ragtime and flourished in the Northeast, especially Harlem, during the 1920s as the first true jazz idiom. He has influenced many successive jazz musicians, including his students Fats Waller and Duke Ellington."
Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma
wrote the liner notes for the CD
Got the Saint-Louis Blues:
Classical Music in the Jazz Age,
Clarion CLR907 (2004), which includes a performance of Johnson's
Yamekraw: A Negro
Rhapsody (15:49) by
pianist Paul Shaw and the VocalEssence Ensemble conducted by
Philip Brunelle. Dr. De Lerma relates that Johnson's music
studies with Bruto Giannini were followed by piano lessons from
Eubie Blake. He continues: "Toward the end of the 1920s, Johnson began devoting time to the study of orchestration, counterpoint, and harmony."
In his liner notes, Scott
Brown agrees that Johnson was intent on becoming a serious
composer: "Of all his accomplishments, James P. Johnson most wanted to be remembered as a serious composer of symphonic music utilizing African-American musical themes. When the Depression ended the decade of the Charleston, James P. Johnson semi-retired from active Harlem nightlife to concentrate on symphonic composition."
Los Alamos Daily Post: Noon Brown Bag Combines Music And Poetry Feb. 3 [Music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)]
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) is profiled at AfriClassical.com
which features a comprehensive Works List and a Bibliography by Dr. Dominique-Rene de Lerma,
www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com.
Los Alamos Pianist Rheta Moazzami.
(Photo by Sherry Hardage)
(Photo by Sherry Hardage)
Dr. Doris A. Fields
University of New Mexico
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2016
By KIRTSEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
In
celebration of Black History Month, the Los Alamos Arts Council’s
upcoming Brown Bag show will feature a collaboration of music and
poetry.
Los Alamos
Pianist Rheta Moazzami along with Poet and University of New Mexico
Professor Dr. Doris Fields are performing in the noontime concert
Wednesday at Fuller Lodge.
The concert is free to the public.
The pieces
Moazzami will perform include one of her own compositions, “Selma,”
which she wrote in honor of the 50th anniversary of the civil rights
march that took place in Selma, Ala. Additionally, she will perform
pieces by composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor.
Fields
selected poems to read that would compliment the music, Moazzami said,
adding, Fields is a wonderful poet with a beautiful speaking voice.
“It’s going to be a treat,” she said.
Fields’
poetry brings awareness to the human condition, Moazzami said. Fields’
poetry not only celebrates African-American culture, but has also
commemorated the Japanese kept in internment camps during World War II
and urged peace between Israel and Jerusalem.
Likewise,
Moazzami is eager to perform music by Coleridge-Taylor, an Anglo-African
classical composer whose work was famous at the turn-of-the century.
Through the
poetry readings and piano music, the hope is to raise the audience’s
awareness to a history that sometimes receives little attention.
Comment by email:
Greetings: Here is the set of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor music Mrs. Moazzami will perform: “Three Fours”: Valse Suite, Opus 71 by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. I hope this is helpful. Thank you. PEACE, Doris [Dr. Doris A. Fields]
Comment by email:
Greetings: Here is the set of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor music Mrs. Moazzami will perform: “Three Fours”: Valse Suite, Opus 71 by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. I hope this is helpful. Thank you. PEACE, Doris [Dr. Doris A. Fields]
Rebeca Omordia & Jiaxin Lloyd Webber Showcase John Ireland's Dramatic & Beautiful Cello Sonata Sun. 14 Feb. 2016, 11 AM, Blackheath Halls, London, U.K.
The Nigerian Romanian pianist Rebeca Omordia has a website at www.rebecaomordia.com She writes of recitals with cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber on 14 February 2016 at 11:00 AM and 28 April 2016 at 1:00 PM:
Duo recitals with Jiaxin Lloyd Webber, cello, wife of renowned cellist
Julian Lloyd Webber. Programme to include Sonatas for cello and piano by
Sergei Rachmaninov and John Ireland.
Please see poster attached for dates.
Very best wishes,
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Nkeiru Okoye: Come see my new comic opera, “We’ve Got Our Eye On You” March 1 and 5, 2016 at SUNY New Paltz
Nkeiru Okoye, Ph.D.
Composer
Nkeiru Okoye writes:
Come see my new comic opera, “We’ve Got Our Eye On You” March 1 and 5, 2016 at SUNY New Paltz.
About
We’ve Got Our Eye on You
is a musical comedy/operetta in four scenes set in Ancient Greece, with
story and music by Nkeiru Okoye, and libretto by David Cote
Duration
80 minutes
Genre
Mock-historical comedy; battle-of-the-sexes farce; and social commentary that challenges today’s ‘hooking up’ culture.
Audience
This work is intended for audiences from middle school
aged students to adults: some of its humor may not be understood by, or
appropriate for, younger children.
Plot Synopsis
Loosely inspired by Greek myth, and set in ancient times, We’ve Got Our Eye on You
delivers a humorous but uplifting message about giving in to desire
prematurely. Think Monty Python-esque Gilbert & Sullivan, with a
touch of Broadway. Mayhem ensues when Pythia, Oracle from Delphi,
visits the Graeae (mythological sisters who share one eye), and
prophesies that a man bearing the mark of Zeus will be “known” to all
three. Pythia departs and encounters Perseus, who plans to charm the
Graeae into revealing the whereabouts of Medusa, as soon as he can find
their cave. He scoffs at Pythia’s prophecy, since he is madly in love
with Andromeda, and could never fall for an eyeless woman. Perseus
disguises himself, covering the mark of Zeus, as the sight of his
physique may be too much for the ladies’ eyeball. In the end, the
oracle’s prophecy comes true, causing personal reflection, and general
fun and amusement for all.
We’ve Got Our Eye on You also has
a social message: It challenges today’s “hookup” phenomenon that is
especially pervasive amongst teens and college students. Organizations
seeking to reach and open dialogue with this audience through arts will
appreciate its message, which is delivered through witty comedy,
family-friendly songs and euphemistic language.
Comment by email:
Hi Bill, Than you so much. You are a treasure! Nkeiru [Nkeiru Okoye]
Tom Quick: Black History Month, Black Women in Music, Part II on FM 98.5 Live Streamed on www.ckwr.com, Monday, February 8, 2016, 9-11 PM ET
I, too; Icy Simpson, soprano [R]; Dr. Artina McCain, piano [L]; Longhorn Music LHM2012001
Althea Waites: Celebration,
Music of American Composers,
Seven Traceries, William Grant Still
Kuumba Music (2012)
Black Women in Music for February
8/2016.
Marcus Eley:
Clarinet. Night
Fancy. Dorothy Rudd Moore.
Lucerne DeSa: Piano.
Eliesha Nelson: Viola.
Sonata for Viola & Piano. George Walker.
James Howsmin: Piano
The Women’s Philharmonic: Symphony No. 3 in C
Minor. Florence Price.
Conductor. Apo Hsu.
Icy Simpson:
Soprano.
Three Dream Portraits. Margaret Bonds.
Artina McCain: Piano.
Althea Waites:
Piano. Seven
Traceries. William Grant Still.
Maria-Josee
Lord:
Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray. Can/Con
Ensemble Vocal
Epiphanie: He’s Got The Whole World in his Hands.
Can/Con.
Kelly Hall-Tompkins: Violin. Ethnic
Variations on a Theme of Paganini.
Craig Ketter: Piano.
Marie-Josee Lord: Soprano. Mary had a
Baby. Can.Con
Ensemble Vocal Epiphanie: Ain’t got time to
Die. Can.Con
Jean-Willy Kunz:
Organ Ma Maria.
Trad. Can/Con
Marcus Eley. Introduction & Allegro. Undine Smith Moore.
Marcus Eley. Introduction & Allegro. Undine Smith Moore.
Lucerne DeSa:
Piano.
Comment by email:
Thank you for sharing. All the Best. Marcus Eley
Newnan Times-Herald: Friends of Wadsworth Concert announces March 12 event [including Violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama]
Violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama
has a website at www.ngwenyama.com
and is featured at AfriClassical.com
The Newnan Times-Herald
Newnan, Georgia
By Maggie Bowers
Jan. 29, 2016
Tickets will be on sale beginning today for the annual 2016 Friends
of Wadsworth Concert: The Legacy Continues, which will take place March
12 at the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium located at 25 Jefferson Street in
downtown Newnan.
The evening of song and chamber music will feature rising
stars of the classical music world, with Newnan’s own Courteney Budd
returning to the Wadsworth as artistic director and host.
Musicians Nokuthula Ngwenyama on viola, Wendy Sutter on cello,
Laura Ward on piano, and returning is a familiar face to Newnan
audiences, Chee-Yun on violin will perform at 7:30 p.m. Budd, herself an
accomplished soprano, will also be joined by internationally-known
baritone Randall Scarlata.
Nokuthula Ngwenyama, also known as “Thula,” for short, is a
resident of Phoenix, AZ, not far from her native California. Ngwenyama
gained international attention after winning the Primrose International
Viola Competition and the Young Con- cert Artists International
Auditions at age 17. Plaudits followed her debut recitals in Washington,
D.C. at the Kennedy Center and in New York at the 92nd Street ‘Y,’ and
in 1998 Ngwenyama received the presti- gious Avery Fisher Career Grant.
Featured as a “Face to Watch” in the Los Angeles Times,
Ngwenyama’s perfor- mances as orchestral soloist, recitalist and chamber
musician garner great attention. Gramophone proclaimed her playing as
providing “solidly shaped music of bold, mesmerizing character,” and the
Washington Post described her as playing “with dazzling technique in
the virtuoso fast movements and deep expressiveness in the slow
movements.”
Recent highlights include an appearance with the Sinfonieta
Cracovia performing Pendericki’s Viola Concerto and multiple domestic
performances, including appearances at the Kimmel Center in Philadel-
phia and on the People’s Concert Series in New York with the
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. She also completed a recording project
of the three Bach Gamba Sonatas with keyboardist Eckart Sellheim.
Ngwenyama has performed throughout the United States and across four
continents.
Friday, January 29, 2016
John Malveaux: On Jan. 28, 2016 I attended the LA Opera 2016-17 Season Preview. African American cast included Tenor Frederick Ballentine in Macbeth
Frederick Ballentine
John Malveaux of
writes:
On January 28. 2016, as guest of Kathy Crandall (immediate past
president of Los Angeles Opera), I attended the LA Opera 2016-17 Season Preview.at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Featured African American cast for the forthcoming season include Soprano J'nai Bridges as Nefertiti in Philip Glass's AKHNATEN, Bass Morris Robinson as Osmin in Mozart's THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO, Tenor Issachah Savage as Narraboth in Richard Strauss's SALOME, and Tenor Russell Thomas
as Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini's TOSCA. In addition to
discussion/explanation of the 2016-17 season, the Domingo-Colburn-Stein
Young Artists illustrated the next season in live performances of arias.
Tenor Frederick Ballentine as Macduff sang "Ah la paterna mano" from MACBETH. See attachment for picture of Ballentine after the program.
Thanks
John
Charleston Spiritual Ensemble presents Jews & Blacks: Parallels of Our Past Sunday, February 28, 2016, 5 PM at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, 90 Hasell Street
David A. Richardson
January 28, 2016 Charleston SC—The
Charleston Spiritual Ensemble, a 35-member vocal group focusing
on traditional African-American spirituals, joins members of the
Charleston Gospel Choir in honor of African-American History Month on
Sunday, February 28, 2016 with a unique musical performance entitled
Jews & Blacks: Parallels of Our Past.
The event will take place at 5:00pm at
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE), 90 Hasell Street, downtown Charleston.
Music Director
David A. Richardson will lead the group in a moving tribute to the
history of Black-Jewish encounters in America over the past five
decades, in particular the role of the organized Jewish community in the
civil rights movement and their natural alliance
in the battle for civil rights. This communal relationship supported
both Black and Jewish agendas to combat hatred and discrimination
through social action and make common cause toward greater rights for
all minorities.
Spirituals
and other songs including sacred and folk songs were commonly performed
during the height of the civil rights movement. This music expressed
how strife was soothed by call and response singing that was the norm
on southern plantations throughout the South during slavery. The
performance’s selections will be accompanied by historical footnotes
from Dr. Karen A. Chandler of the College of Charleston.
Charleston Spiritual
Ensemble President and event producer Lee Pringle says, “This concert
is autobiographical as my parents greatly benefitted from the kindness
of the Jewish community when they migrated
to Harlem and later to Spring Valley, New York in the early 1960s from
the Jim Crow South. The manner in which Jews treated our family was
never forgotten.” Pringle later join a group of progressive Jews and
Blacks,
The African-American Jewish Connection (AAJC), which was among
the first organized groups to call for the removal of the Confederate
Flag from the South Carolina State House in 1991.
David A. Richardson,
Director says, “The Spiritual was and is a powerful method to protest
peacefully. Fifty years after landmark civil rights advances it’s still
important to remind adults and teach our children
about our parallel past. Music is a wonderful way to chronicle history
and I am honored to be a part of this important event.”
Free Symposium Wednesday, February 24:
Jews and Blacks Parallels of Our Past
A free colloquium featuring Charleston-area Jewish and Black leaders will take place in advance of the performance
Wednesday, February 24 at 6:00pm at the Charleston County Main Library Auditorium.
Learn more about the
relationship of the Jewish and Black communities in the historical
context both nationally as part of the civil rights movement and locally
in the Charleston community. The event will
feature remarks by Marty Perlmutter, Director of Jewish Studies and Dr.
Bernard Powers, Professor of African-American Studies at the College of
Charleston, Eileen Chepenick, former Executive Director of the
Charleston Chapter of Operation Understanding and
others. Free and open to the public
Performance Tickets/Information
Sunday, February 28, 2016 • 5:00pm
Jews & Blacks: Parallels of Our Past
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, 90 Hasell Street, downtown Charleston
General Admission tickets: $20 adults; children or students $10 with ID
Online: www.charlestonspiritual.com; by
phone: (866) 811-4111; at door: (cash/check only) up to one hour before performance
About the Charleston Spiritual Ensemble
Now in its eighth
year, the Charleston Spiritual Ensemble is a 35-member vocal group based
in Charleston focusing on African-American spirituals and sacred and
black classical contributions to musical music.
The Ensemble’s core musical offering honors the devout musical
tradition that African-Americans formed as slaves after arriving in this
country and in particular its relevant history in South Carolina. The
spiritual has shaped and inspired the evolution of
classically trained African-American composers and arrangers.
About Music Director David A. Richardson
A
recipient of the prestigious Charleston Southern University Horton
School of Music Senior Excellence Award for his exceptional work in the
area of Choral Music Education, Mr.
Richardson is a noted baritone soloist who has garnered the admiration
of the choral community throughout the Carolinas. He serves as Music
Director of the Charleston Gospel Choir, now in its 15th season, and the
Charleston Spiritual Ensemble. As a professional
vocalist, he toured the United Kingdom, Scotland, Austria, and Prague,
where he performed with the CSU concert choir to much acclaim.
An
accomplished pianist, Mr. Richardson has served as Music Director for
several regional productions and has accompanied choral programs and
honor choirs at all levels, including
three seasons with the University Children’s Choir. Mr. Richardson
serves as Director of the Vocal Music Arts program at Rollings Middle
School of the Art and is the former Director of Choral Activities at
Fort Dorchester High School and Band Director and
Music Specialist in the Berkeley County School District.
Mr.
Richardson is the Director of Vocal Music for the annual Charleston
Southern University Music Camp and the Oconee County Choral Festival. In
addition, Mr. Richardson has conducted
performances with orchestra including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Martini’s
Domine Adjuvandum Me Festina, and Telemann’s Jehovam Omnes Gentes
with chamber orchestra and is an accomplished organist and pianist. Mr.
Richardson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with voice
emphasis from Charleston Southern University.
He is currently a candidate for the Master of Music Education degree at
Kent State University.
Comment by email:
Yes! What specific songs/pieces will be performed during the program? Thanks
John Malveaux
Yes! What specific songs/pieces will be performed during the program? Thanks
John Malveaux
Mount Sinai Health System Celebrates Black History Month With Pianist Prof. Felipe A. Hall Thursday, February 11, 2016, 3 PM, Guggenheim Pavilion
Bamboulette/Vignette from the Bamboula
Legacy Suite
Historic Presentation Bamboula Legacy
Historic Presentation Bamboula Legacy
3000 BC to 1500 BC Nigeria
Felipe Hall
Rain Dance, October Winds
Ayo Bankole (1935-1976)/
Nigerian
Nigerian
Two pieces from “Le Chant e
Le Conte de BaRonga”
Le Conte de BaRonga”
· “At the Dawn of Day” (Loko
Ku ti Ga)
Ku ti Ga)
· “The Stones are Very Hard”
(Maribye Ma Nonoha Ngopfu)
(Maribye Ma Nonoha Ngopfu)
Historic Presentation Le Chant e
Le Conte de BaRonga/African
American Folk/Slave Songs/
Spiritual/Hymns, etc.
Le Conte de BaRonga/African
American Folk/Slave Songs/
Spiritual/Hymns, etc.
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
(1875-1912)
(1875-1912)
From “In the Bottoms Suite”
· Prelude, Morning (barcarolle),
Juba Dance
Juba Dance
Historic Slave Songs spiritual,
Minstrels/to Ragtime and the Swing
Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)
Minstrels/to Ragtime and the Swing
Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)
Ragtime: Rags. Marches. Grand
Waltz, Cakewalk, Slow Drag
Scott Joplin (c.1867-1917),
Marshal and others
Finale: “Fandangle, Dirge, Jazz”
Mary Lou Williams, Joplin, Hall
Mary Lou Williams, Joplin, Hall
Cleveland Opera Theater: "Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line To Freedom" Jan. 29-Feb. 7; Opens Christ Temple Apostolic Church, Oberlin 7 PM Jan. 29
Nkeiru Okoye, Ph.D.
Composer
An exciting new operatic work
that tells of how a young girl born in slavery, becomes Harriet Tubman,
the legendary Underground Railroad conductor.
Experience this heartwarming
tale of two sisters vowing that nothing but death will separate them,
despite the slavery threatening to tear them apart. The music is richly
textured, drawing from the musical traditions of opera, gospel, American
spirituals, ragtime and minstrel songs.
Based on recent Tubman
biographies, the story is narrated and told in the context of Tubman’s
tight-knit family of lively characters. Harriet Tubman carries the
universal themes of sisterhood, courage, sacrifice and doing what is
necessary to keep a family together.
This touring co-production with the Oberlin Opera Theater is the Midwest premiere of the opera following the New York City World Premiere production in February 2014. The production features internationally renowned artists including Oberlin alumna Nkeiru Okoye - librettist and composer of the opera, Julius Williams, conductor, and Jonathon Field, stage director.
Singing
actors from the Oberlin Opera Theater perform along side professional
artists including Brian Keith Johnson, baritone of strong regional
renown (and regular Cleveland Opera Theater company member) portraying
the role of John Tubman, Cleveland-based actress Debra Rose in the role
of Rittia Ross, and Oberlin alumnus David Hughey, tenor portraying the
roles of Ben Ross and William Still - Mr. Hughey made his Broadway debut
in the Tony Award winning revival of the Gershwins’ Porgy And Bess, he
later joined the Broadway First National Tour in the role of Jake, and
was recently featured on the soundtrack to the Oscar Award winning
feature film, 12 Years A Slave.
When I crossed that line to freedom
is presented as part of Cleveland Opera Theater's New Opera Works
{NOW}. NOW features productions of new and recently composed opera, and
workshops and readings of other new works in development More about NOW
Production Tour Dates and Locations
Friday, January 29, 7:00pm Christ Temple Apostolic Church 370 West Lincoln Street Oberlin, Ohio 44074
Sunday, January 31, 2:00pm Mt. Zion Baptist Church 81 Locust Street Oberlin, Ohio 44074
Saturday, February 6, 6:30pm Finney Chapel 70 N. Professor St. Oberlin, Ohio 44074
Sunday, February 7, 2:00pm First Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio 44118
A pre-show introduction to the opera will be offered at the First Baptist Church Location only
Pre-Show intro 1:15 - 1:45pm in the Spahr Center on-site at First Baptist Church.
These are non-ticketed performances with FREE admission.
Free On-Site Parking is available at each location
You may make a tax-deductible donation to Cleveland Opera Theaterto support this co-production and future New Opera Works (NOW) Productions
Comments by email:
1) Hi Bill, Thank you so much for advertising this and keeping your amazing blog of events. It is wonderful! Best wishes and thank you again, Nkeiru [Nkeiru Okoye]
2) Congratulations-worthy and highly needed production. Sankofa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankofa John Malveux
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Sergio A. Mims: Classical Music Magazine: Following its debut performance at [Southbank] Centre in September 2015, Chineke! will become an associate orchestra
Chineke! Orchestra Inaugural Concert, 13 September 2015
(Chineke.org)
(Chineke.org)
Sergio A. Mims writes:
The
Southbank Centre today announced their 2016-2017 season and that
Chi-chi Nwanoku's orchestra Chineke! will next season become an
associate orchestra of the Centre. And also that the Junior Chineke!
Orchestra (made up of the most talented teens and pre-teens you've ever
seen) will perform again at the Centre next season
Read the seventh paragraph in the article
Sergio
Classical Music Magazine
28 January 2016
Following its debut performance at the Centre in September
2015, Chineke! will become an associate orchestra. The ensemble will be
part of the 2016 Africa Utopia festival, and the Chineke! Junior
Orchestra will perform a Passenger Seats event in the Clore Ballroom.
Join Cristina Pato and Nicholas Villalobos at SphinxCon: Ignite to Action! Ends with 19th Annual Sphinx Competition Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 2 PM
SphinxCon wraps up with the 19th Annual Sphinx Competition
on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 2pm. Held at the Max M. Fisher Music
Center, the Sphinx Competition features some of the top Black and
Latino string musicians competing for a $50,000 cash prize.
Tickets are just $15! You can purchase them through the DSO box office at www.DSO.org or by phone at 313-576-5111.
John Malveaux: Public Radio East: Biopic About Nat Turner Is A Success At Sundance Film Festival
John Malveaux of
writes:
Birth of a Nation (Nat Turner slave revolt) by first time film maker is thunderous at Sundance http://publicradioeast.org/post/biopic-about-nat-turner-success-sundance-film-festival#stream/0.
Originally published on January 28, 2016 6:05 pm
Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/
.
Transcript
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
The
Sundance Film Festival in Utah started out as a venue for low-budget
works by independent filmmakers looking for distribution. When major
studios bought those films, the purchase price was usually modest.
That's still true, but it is changing. And this week, the model was
broken. Fox Searchlight paid an astounding $17.5 million for a biopic
about Nat Turner, who led a legendary slave rebellion in the early 1800s
in Virginia. The film is called "The Birth Of A Nation," directed,
written, produced and starring Nate Parker. Justin Chang is the chief
film critic for Variety, and he was at that premiere at Sundance. Good
morning.
JUSTIN CHANG: Good morning.
MONTAGNE: So OK, this
film comes at a time when controversy over a lack of diversity in the
film industry is swirling through Hollywood. It sounds like this has
become the most talked about film at the festival this year.
CHANG:
It certainly has. I think it is very much a movie of the moment. It
sort of crystallizes a lot of things, the lack of diversity in the ranks
of the industry, which, you know, as we've seen with the Oscars'
so-white controversy. And it's also, I think - you know, the title of
the film is "The Birth Of A Nation," which is very consciously a
reference and sort of a rebuke to D.W. Griffith's 1915 epic of the same
title, which is, of course, still notorious for its racist imagery, its
heroic portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan. "The Birth Of A Nation," Nate
Parker's film, is intended as a corrective to that. It is a story of
American slavery told from the perspective of the African-American
slaves who endured it.
MONTAGNE: Well, you know, talking about -
back to the money here in the 21st century, put that $17.5 million in
perspective for us. How does it stack up against other films at the
Sundance?
CHANG: So $17.5 million for "The Birth Of A Nation" is
pretty huge, and I think it is a response and a reflection of the
tremendous reception that the film received. People were on their feet.
People don't always give the director and the cast and crew a standing
ovation, but the response to this film was thunderous.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra, Conducted by Janise White, received Yamaha Grand Piano from John Gormly & Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas
Mr. John Gormley and Professor Janise White, Director
(Malcolm Ali)
(Malcolm Ali)
Dr. Eleanor Ferguson Marshalleck, Vice President and Professor Janise White, Director
(Malcolm Ali)
(Malcolm Ali)
Seated,
Janise White, Director; Standing Left to Right: Dr. Eleanor Ferguson
Marshalleck, Vice President of AACMSO, Mr. John Gormly, President of
Oltmans Construction; Elizabeth White, Fundraiser of AACMSO; and Mr.
Barry Glover, Treasurer of AACMSO
(Malcolm Ali)
Janise White, Director of the Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra, sends a Press Release from Mark Brown:
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra,
Conductor and Founder, Janise White has been the recipient of a
beautiful Yamaha Grand Piano from John Gormly, President of Oltmans
Construction Company and Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas to further
facilitate the performances of the orchestra. Mr. Gormly, Piano Donor
received a Commendation from Mayor Garcetti for outstanding community
service for the contribution to the Los Angeles Arts Community.
AACMSO
has pioneered in presenting The Black Symphonists Series live in the
Los Angeles Community and on KUSC Sundays Live since 1988 in their
mission to preserve symphonic works by composers of the African
diaspora.
Dr. Eleanor Ferguson Marshalleck, Vice
President and Opera Singer received a Commendation from Mayor Garcetti
for 19 years of service with the Afro-American Chamber Music Society
Orchestra.
Founded in 1988, the AA Chamber Music Society Orchestra plans to feature the piano in the upcoming concerts for this 2016 Season. See aacms@weebly.com for further information.
Comment by email:
Congratulation and BEST for current season. WGS motto was "We all rise together or we don't rise at all". John Malveaux
Comment by email:
Congratulation and BEST for current season. WGS motto was "We all rise together or we don't rise at all". John Malveaux
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)