North Carolina Central University: Cellist Dr. Timothy Holley in 'Soul Gone Home' by Langston Hughes Nov. 4 & 5

[Dr. Timothy W. Holley; Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Precipice, Baoule (2002)]

NCCU Theatre Production of Soul Gone Home Combines Opera and Jazz

Published: Monday, October 31, 2011

“The North Carolina Central University Department of Theatre, in partnership with the Music Department, will tackle the sobering effects of poverty in the African-American community when they present 'Soul Gone Home,' a one-act play by Langston Hughes. The production will be presented Nov. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. in the University Theater, Farrison–Newton Communications Building.

“Written in 1937, the play takes place in a rundown tenement and centers on a conversation between a mother and her recently deceased son. In addition to the theatrical version, NCCU will also present the opera version of the play, written by William C. Banfield and directed by Karen Dacons-Brock, retired NCCU faculty member. Lenora Zenzalai Helm, instructor in the jazz studies program, will sing the parts of both mother and son, accompanied by the B.N. Duke Atrium Chamber Players. The chamber players include cellist Dr. Timothy Holley, saxophonist Dr. Ira Wiggins, percussionist Thomas E. Taylor and pianist Ed Paolantonio.

“'The play is particularly relevant today given the fact that poverty is at a 50 year high,' said Dacons-Brock. The theatrical version includes NCCU student Tempest Farrar as the mother and community member Justin Smith as the deceased son. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students. This production contains mature language, and children under 4 will not be admitted. To purchase tickets, contact the NCCU ticket office at 919-530-5170.”

Violoncellist Dr. Timothy Holley Premieres Adolphus Hailstork’s 'Draw the Sacred Circle Closer' Oct. 22

[Dr. Timothy W. Holley]

Today we heard from our good friend and supporter Dr. Timothy W. Holley, who said: “Please refer to the provided web link for the announcement of my upcoming recital...” Classical Voice of North Carolina, http://www.CVNC.org, notes in its bio of Prof. Holley: "His doctoral dissertation focused on the cello music of African-American composers, and he continues to be active in the study and performance of African-American concert music."

North Carolina Central University

NCCU.edu

NCCU News

NCCU Faculty Recital Presents Premiere of Two Works

Published: Tuesday, October 19, 2010

“The North Carolina Central University Department of Music will begin its Faculty Recital Series with violoncellist Dr. Timothy Holley on Friday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in the B.N. Duke Auditorium. Holley will perform, 'Sacred Circles…Drawing Closer…' a series of Negro spirituals and sacred music. Among the composers represented will be Betty Jackson King, Arthur Benjamin, William Grant Still, Barbara Logan Cooke and Margaret Bonds. NCCU faculty members Ed Paolantonio and Derison Duarte will accompany Holley on piano.

“In addition, Holley will premiere two works — a recently discovered piece written for piano by Gwendolyn Bell Conley, and a work for solo cello by African-American composer Adolphus Hailstork. Conley’s composition, 'Gwen’s Little March and Waltz,' was discovered by the composer’s daughter, who requested that it be recorded for Conley’s 80th birthday last month. Conley created the piece as a composition exercise and recital piece while still a child studying piano in Chicago in the 1940s.

“Hailstork’s 'Draw the Sacred Circle Closer' was composed just last year. Holley, after reviewing the composition, asked Hailstork’s permission to give the first public performance. Hailstork has composed music for more than 47 years and is currently Professor of Music and Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.” [Margaret Allison Bonds (1913-1972), Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork (b. 1941) and William Grant Still (1895-1978) are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Dr. Timothy W. Holley: 'conversation about the presence of musicians of African descent couldn't come at a more appropriate time'

[John Blanke, Trumpeter in the Court of King Henry VIII, Westminster Tournament, 1511 (National Archives, United Kingdom)]

On July 25, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “This wealth of information should be mandated to be in the public school curriculums across the United States!” The title was taken from a comment by Carol Watford on July 24, 2010 in the Guest Book at AfriClassical.com:

Carol Watford

Saturday, 7/24/10, 7:39 PM “What a great and resourceful site. This wealth of information should be mandated to be in the public school curriculums across the United States!” From: New York City

AfriClassical remarked, in part: “Carol Watford makes an excellent point! We appreciate her post very much! Teachers and students should not have to rely on a website to learn that England's King Henry VIII employed John Blanke, a Black musician, as a Royal Trumpeter!”

On July 26, 2010 the post drew a comment from Dr. Timothy W. Holley, a cellist who is Assistant Professor of Music and Director, University Honors Program, at North Carolina Central University:

“Ms. Watford, The timing of such a large-scale conversation about the presence of musicians of African descent couldn't come at a more appropriate time...just as school boards are making decisions to cut the very programs that would directly inculcate this priceless information to the next generation!! Just think...if this generation doesn't get it because it isn't made available to them, the information could be lost to them...meaning that it could take as much as another half-century before a receptive generation receives and runs with this information!! The implications of the current situation (e.g., in the Detroit Public Schools presently) is grave indeed!! Thank you for your notice!!!