Soprano Sonya Headlam Sings Sibelius With One World Symphony in 'Nordic Lights' March 4 & 6

[Sonya Headlam, Soprano]

Adrienne Metzinger of One World Symphony tells AfriClassical of forthcoming performances by the soprano Sonya Headlam: “She will be one of the soloists in Maestro Sung Jin Hong's arrangement/orchestrations of Sibelius' songs in One World Symphony's upcoming Nordic Lights on March 4 & 6.”

OneWorldSymphony.org

Soprano Sonya Headlam has performed with One World Symphony on numerous occasions as a featured soloist and ensemble member since 2006. Her most recent collaboration with One World was a captivating performance of Berlioz’s Les Nuits d'Été to a standing ovation in June 2010. An active soloist, Ms. Headlam has been featured with groups such as the Greenwich Choral Society, Bronx Orchestra, the Master Singers of Milwaukee, and DCINY with whom she made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2010. Equally comfortable on the operatic stage, Ms. Headlam has worked with regional opera companies such as the Bronx Opera, Delphi Opera, and Fargo-Morehead Opera. Recently featured on the Trinity Church Concerts at One Series, Ms. Headlam’s solo recital was webcast live from downtown Manhattan. Ms. Headlam obtained her MM from Miami University of Ohio. She resides in NYC and spends her free time enjoying the city with her husband and playing with her rock band Feelings.

Ben Holt Memorial Branch of the NANM announces scholarship competition in voice March 19 & 20

[Ben Holt (Photo by Christian Steiner)]

Patrick D. McCoy sends this news:

The newly formed Ben Holt Memorial Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. announces its local scholarship competition in voice. Contestants between the ages of 18-30 years old pursuing vocal music study are encouraged to apply. The competition will be held in two rounds, the first round on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 4 PM and the final round on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 7 PM at Sixth Presbyterian Church in NW Washington, D. C. The winner of the local competition will represent the Washington, D. C. branch at the regional convention in April.

For additional requirements and rules about contest eligibility, please visit http://www.nanm.org/Scholarship_competition.htm for all competition requirements. All materials are to be sent in as a complete competition packet consisting of application, competition fee in the form of a check/money order made payable to the Ben Holt Memorial Branch and a CD recording including 1 aria and 1 art song. All materials are to be mailed to local branch Takoma Park Baptist Church, Attention: Patrick D. McCoy, 635 Aspen Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20012. For additional questions contact William Jones at (202) 270-4004.

Listen to my interview with composer and conductor of the Concordia Choir, René Clausen

Listen to my interview with Opera Super Star: Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves

"The African-American Voice in Classical Music"
Patrick D. McCoy

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/patrickdmccoy

Cedric Berry, Bass-Baritone in 'Music of the People: Songs of 19th Century America' Colburn School, L.A. Feb. 23

[Cedric Trenton Berry]

AfriClassical wrote of Cedric Berry most recently in December 2010, concerning a production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, in which he had the role of King Balthazar. On Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 he will perform in the second of six presentations of “Music of the People” in 2011:

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

7:30 p.m.

Zipper Hall

Colburn School

200 S. Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Music of the People

a concert of 19th-century American folk songs,
spirituals and Hutchinson Family songs
conceived and produced by Karen Benjamin

Karen Benjamin, soprano

Cedric Berry, bass-baritone

Victoria Kirsch, pianist

Alan Chapman, bass and vocals

The songs may be spiritual, political, romantic…or just plain fun.

But all of them are American.

And what makes them so is not just the language and sensibility of their lyrics, but also the nature of their melodies, a nature that is inseparable from the rhythms and intonations of our spoken language.

You will hear the work of several arrangers, expressing their individual styles through matters of structure, choices of harmony, details of accompaniment.

But in each and every case the melody is as it has always been.

The melody is preserved. The melody is respected, as it must be, because while the words carry the literal message, it is in the melody that the soul of a song resides.

Comment by email:
Hi Bill: It's Karen Benjamin. This is terrific. I can't thank you enough. Perhaps you can make the performance. Best, Kb

'A Delos Tribute to William Grant Still' on Video (2:42) for Black History Month 2011

[William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.]

“The Delos Insider

Delos offers a video tribute to William Grant Still, 'The Dean' of African-American composers — in recognition of Black History Month, 2011. You will hear organ virtuoso Cherry Rhodes playing Still's beautiful 'Reverie' at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found.]

Bill Harris: 'It's a real honor to know that those experiments are actually meaningful to someone somewhere'

[Leo Brouwer]

The Afro-Cuban composer, guitarist and conductor Leo Brouwer (b. 1939) is profiled at AfriClassical.com. Earlier today AfriClassical posted: “Manuel Barrueco's Playing of 'Danza Caracteristica' of Leo Brouwer Accompanied With Bill Harris on Drums on Vimeo.” We have since received a comment by email from Bill Harris:

“Mr. Zick,

Thank you for posting my video on your blog! It's a real honor to know that those experiments are actually meaningful to someone somewhere...I wasn't sure how well they would go over with the classical world, and were truly just an experiment on my part.

Thanks again!

Best,

Bill Harris

ArkansasOnline.com: 'Steinway Pianist Lara Downes to Perform All American Program, Little Rock' Feb. 24

[Lara Downes]

Florence Beatrice Smith Price (1887-1953) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory.

ArkansasOnline.com

“featuring

Work by Historic Little Rock Composer

Presented by the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock

Where: Parish Hall, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

1000 North Mississippi Avenue

Little Rock, AR

When: Thursday, February 24, 2011 7:30 PM

Tickets: Adult $25; Student $10

http://www.chambermusiclr.com/tickets.html

Information: (501) 661-0520

“Full bio and images available for download at:

http://www.laradownes.com

“(2/9/2011) Little Rock, Arkansas – The Chamber Music Society of Little Rock will bring the music of a noted Little Rock native home when they present Steinway Concert Artist Lara Downes on Thursday evening, February 24th. Ms. Downes will perform her critically acclaimed concert program, THE AMERICANS. Called 'an American musical-vernacular celebration delivered with finesse' (Seattle Times), THE AMERICANS is a fascinating recital that highlights distinctly American voices of the 20th century – Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, George Gershwin, Roy Harris and Little Rock born composer Florence Price. Ms. Price (1887-1953), a master artist unique to the nation, is considered to be the first black woman in the United States to be nationally recognized as a symphonic composer.

“Selected by the NEA for American Masterpieces funding as part of the University of Washington’s 2010-11 season, Ms. Downes’ vibrant, highly accessible program features perennial favorites such as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue as well as lesser know works including Florence Price’s virtuoso solo piano masterpiece Fantasie Nègre:

“THE AMERICANS Program

Roy Harris: American Ballads

Samuel Barber: Excursions, Op. 20

Aaron Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo

Florence Price: Fantasie Nègre

Aaron Copland: Four Piano Blues

George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

“ABOUT LARA DOWNES

A captivating presence both on and offstage, critically acclaimed Steinway Concert Artist Lara Downes is redefining the solo recital format with visionary, cutting-edge performances at prestigious concert venues worldwide. Lauded by NPR as 'a delightful artist with a unique blend of musicianship and showmanship,' Ms. Downes presents the piano repertoire - from traditional favorites to newly commissioned works - in creative ways that bridge musical tastes, genres and audiences."

Comment by email:

Thanks Bill, this is terrific. I'm excited to play the Price piece in Little Rock! Best, Lara

WGNTV: 'Chicago clarinetist sits center stage alongside world renowned musicians'

[Clarinetist Anthony McGill on stage with Pianist Emmanuel Ax and Cellist Yo-Yo Ma for a performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra]

WGNTV presents a 3-minute Black History Month feature on Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, during a visit to Chicago for a visit to his former Chicago youth orchestra, as well as a performance with Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax and the Chicago Symphony as one of its “Citizen Musicians” who are dedicated to connecting people with Music.

WGNTV: "Musician Anthony McGill paves the way for young Chicago musicians"

http://www.wgntv.com/lifestyle/black-history/

Nokuthula Ngwenyama & Claremont Trio at Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington Mar. 13, 7:30 PM

[Violist: Nokuthula Ngwenyama (Darla Furlani)]

For the past 5 years, Nokuthula Ngwenyama has been featured at AfriClassical.com. Her own website is http://www.ngwenyama.com/ Nokuthula Ngwenyama will assume the Presidency of the American Viola Society in June. On March 13 she will appear with the Claremont Trio:

Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington

JCCGW.org

Polinger Artists of Excellence Concert Series

2010-2011 Concert Season

“Claremont Piano Trio with Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Violist

Sunday, March 13, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

The Claremont Trio, the first winners of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award and the only piano trio ever to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, are consistently lauded for their 'aesthetic maturity, interpretive depth, and exuberance' (Palm Beach Daily News). The Trio will be joined by violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, winner at age 17 of the Primrose Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

Fred Onovwerosuoke: 'very tickling to read a reviewer so aptly dissect my Agbadza etude'

[Fred Onovwerosuoke]

Yesterday AfriClassical posted Franklyn Ayensu's article on the Feb. 16 recital of pianist William Chapman Nyaho at the National Gallery of Art: “GhanaDot.com: 'Ghanaian Concert Pianist Chapman Nyaho Delights Washington DC Audience.'” Today a comment was made by Fred Onovwerosuoke, composer:

“Now, that's a great article, Nyaho. For me, very tickling to read a reviewer so aptly dissect my Agbadza etude. Steadily but surely, as we all leaven the landscapes of great music. Bravo, my friend, bravo indeed!

FredO, composer”

Manuel Barrueco's Playing of 'Danza Caracteristica' of Leo Brouwer With Bill Harris on Drums on Vimeo

[Leo Brouwer]

The Afro-Cuban composer, guitarist and conductor Leo Brouwer (b. 1939) is profiled at AfriClassical.com. The experiment of drummer Bill Harris combines classical music with a drum set in a 2-minute video on Vimeo:

Vimeo.com

“An Experiment Involving Classical Music and Drum Set.

Danza Caracteristica for guitar performed by Manuel Barrueco. Original composition by Leo Brouwer.

The percussive arrangements in this video were composed and arranged by myself. Pianist and writer Ethan Iverson proposes a good question concerning jazz, classical, and the idea of 'Third Stream' music: what does the drummer do? I've been interested in the idea of a rubato melody from the perspective of rhythm and the drum kit, and how to compensate in such a situation. This is no new or groundbreaking idea...I was just trying it out for myself. Playing with an actual classical guitar player would, of course, be more difficult due to dynamics. Maybe this is ridiculous in this context, but it was a fun experiment.

Drumming by Bill Harris.

See more at billyharris.net