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Click here to see the Schedule of
Events!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chattanooga Hosts the 89th
Annual Meeting of NANM—A Festive Celebration with Dazzling,
Star-Studded Performers and Clinicians
NANM,
Inc. (The National Association of Negro Musicians) holds its 89th
Annual Meeting in the “Scenic City” at the Chattanooga Marriott
at the Convention Center (Two Carter Plaza) from July 26-31,
2008. Chattanooga’s Roland M. Carter is retiring as president
of the historic organization, a post he has held since 2002.
Carter is the Ruth S. Holmberg Professor of American Music at
UTC. The theme for this year’s session is “Partnerships and
Advocacy: Walk Together Children.” “I am so very proud to host
this conference in my hometown during my last year in office,”
says Carter. “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the
tremendous array of talent we have in this city, both musical
and otherwise. It is also a marvelous time to demonstrate how
our exemplary citizens and organizations work together to
achieve common goals. This is reflective of our conference
theme. I believe that Chattanoogans have set a definite standard
in this area.” The Chattanooga Society for the Preservation of
African American Song, Bryant Lowery, president, is the host
branch.
The
annual meeting begins unofficially on Saturday, July 26, with
the first chorus rehearsal. This year’s conductor is Damon
Dandridge, Director of Choral Activities at Cheyney University
in Pennsylvania.
On
Sunday, July 27, the conference officially opens at First
Baptist Church (Eighth Street). This event is free and open to
the public, and will feature performers from the five NANM
regions, and the Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus, conducted
by Dr. David Morrow, NANM First Vice President. On Sunday
evening, the finals of the 2008 Scholarship Competition in Organ
will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Events
for Monday, July 28, include a morning choral reading session,
led by Dr. Rollo A. Dilworth, representing the Hal Leonard Music
Corporation. Dr. Dilworth is Professor of Music and Director of
Choral Activities at North Park University in Chicago. The
first offering in the “Concerts at Noon Series” will feature
mezzo soprano Pamela Dillard and soprano Ann Marie McPhail, both
of Atlanta, in a duo recital at Second Presbyterian Church. The
William Warfield Voice Master Class will be facilitated by
Madame Shirley Verrett, legendary, world renowned operatic
singer. Madame Verrett earned distinction in her career for her
mastery of both mezzo soprano and soprano roles. She is
currently the James Earl Jones Distinguished Professor of Voice
at the University of Michigan. The Gala Concert on Monday
evening features internationally acclaimed operatic sensation,
soprano Marquita Lister; a trio from the Ritz Chamber
Players—violinist Tai Murray, cellist Tahirah Whittington, and
pianist Terrence Wilson; pianist-composer Joseph Joubert; and
the Brazeal Dennard Chorale of Detroit, led by artistic
directors Dr. Augustus O. Hill and Ms. Nina Scott.
Among
the highlights for Tuesday, July 29, are a presentation on the
music of composer Clarence Cameron White, a native of
Clarksville, Tennessee, by Dr. Gail Robinson-Oturu, soprano and
Chair of the Department of Music at Austin Peay State
University. The Piano Master Class is the next morning
offering, with internationally celebrated pianist Leon Bates, as
clinician. The second of the “Concerts at Noon” series will be
held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, featuring the music of
composer Robert Owens. An afternoon workshop on Music Education
will be led by Dr. Nicole Robinson, Head of the Division of
Music Education at the University of Memphis. This will be
followed by a concert featuring Collegiate Young Artists. That
evening at First Centenary United Methodist Church, their
Chancel Choir joins forces with the Scenic City Chorus and the
Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African
American Song, featuring guest soloist DeVonne Gardner, of
Philadelphia, for a performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred
Concert. Jan McNair will be the evening’s conductor.
Wednesday morning, July 30, features a presentation on the Negro
Spiritual Foundation by its founder and Executive Vice President
Rudolph Cleare, and a presentation on the Americolor Opera of
Atlanta, by Dr. Sharon Willis, composer and Executive Director.
The final of the “Concerts at Noon” will again be held at St.
Paul’s Episcopal Church and will feature the Norfolk State
University Spartan Chorale of Virginia, conducted by Dr Carl
Haywood. The 2008 Awards Banquet will be held at the
Chattanooga Convention Center. This year’s Lifetime Achievement
Award will be presented to composer-pianist-stage actor-stage
director Robert Owens, an American living in Munich, Germany.
Other honorees include: Brazeal W. Dennard, of Detroit, revered
conductor, music educator, and Past President of NANM; and Dr.
Ralph Simpson, distinguished organist, educator and scholar,
also retired Chair of the Department of Music at Tennessee State
University. Local honorees are: The Chattanooga Gospel
Orchestra, conducted by Danny Sample; Irene Gary Dave, gospel
singer, who has performed with prominent artists such as Mahalia
Jackson and Rosetta Tharpe; Russell Goode, Chattanooga music
educator, who has also served as piano and organ accompanist for
Mahalia Jackson and Coretta Scott King; William Price, bassist
and unofficial Chattanooga African American Music historian; and
Booker T. Scruggs, II, sociologist, retired UTC administrator,
clarinetist, saxophonist, and humanitarian.
Thursday morning’s events include a presentation on how the
African American singer functions in two genres of music by Dr.
Pamela Burns, Director of Vocal Studies at Alabama State
University; and a lecture-demonstration by Dr. Arthur Jones,
founder of the Spirituals Project in Denver, on his book,
Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals. These will
be followed by two concerts: the Convention Chorus, conducted
by Damon Dandridge, and a Jazz Band performance, conducted by
critically acclaimed trumpeter Derrick Gardner of Michigan State
University. The 2008 NANM Annual Meeting closes with President
Carter’s address, followed by the installation of new officers.
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Local Contact: Beverly Scott,
423-567-7603 NANM PR: Marilyn Thompson,
917-974-6744
bevscotts@att.net
news@nanm.org
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