NANM Reverberations: We celebrate our 98th National Convention in the heart of West Palm Beach, Florida, July 17-21, 2016.

Message from the President Dear NANM:   I hope this new edition of Reverberations finds you  doing well.   It's almost Convention time and what an exciting  convention we've planned along with our host  branch, Dr. Orville Lawton and the Ebony  Chorale of the Palm Beaches. Our theme this  year is Building a Bigger… Bolder… Brighter  Future as we celebrate our 98th National  Convention in the heart of West Palm Beach, Florida,  July 17-21, 2016.   This year's featured artists include a performance  by Grammy Award Winner Lalah Hathaway and  jazz saxophonist Melton Mustafa. Other featured  concerts include the Opening Mass Meeting (Sunday,  July 17th, 3pm, Bethesda By the Sea Episcopal  Church); Vocal Scholarship Competition (Sunday,  July 17th, 7:30pm, Hilton West Palm Beach); Gala  Benefit Concert (Monday, July 18th, 7:30pm, Eissey  Theater Center); West Palm Beach Artists Night  Concert (Tuesday, July 19th, 8pm, Hilton West Palm  Beach) and the Gala Awards Banquet (Wednesday,  July 20th, 7:30pm, Hilton West Palm Beach).   This year, our organization will honor the life’s  work of opera singer/educator Dr. Elizabeth  Graham, choral conductor Earl Little, jazz  singer Avery Sommers and jazz trumpeter/educator/ composer Melton Mustafa.   I am proud that our National Conventions continue to  provide a spectacular opportunity for artists to share  information, knowledge and musical performances for  youth, college age students, young artists and   adults. Artists include opera singers/educators George  Shirley, Dr. Marcía Porter and Robert Sims; choral  conductor/composer Omar Dickenson, Dr. David  Morrow and Dr. Marvin Curtis; saxophnists/education  Seychelle Dunn; nationally acclaimed composers Dr.  Roland M. Carter and Dr. Uzee Brown as well  as emerging composers Karen Thompson, Stanleigh  Jones and Kristina Brown.     What a great way to showcase NANM's unique niche  in the music world!   I encourage you to plan to attend as we enjoy an  incredible musical experience, rediscover our love for  music and reconnect with one another… On the Road  to 100! See you in July! Byron J. Smith National President, NANM                                                                  ***