'Above and Beyond' the theme for A Potpourri of the Arts in the African American TraditionIndiana UniversityWednesday, November 18, 2009“The African American Choral Ensemble's director Keith McCutchen has chosen to pay the first of several tributes to R. Nathaniel Dett, a composer, pianist and choral conductor who dedicated his entire life to presenting the music of African Americans to all people and nations. Dett is best known for his choral anthem 'Listen to the Lambs' and his piano piece,... Read Full Story

[African American Trumpeter Wilmer Wise; Photo from website of The Jazz Museum in Harlem]“Forward FlightNovember 22nd, 2009 Author: richThe Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT Music) will present Forward Flight, the third and final event of its 7th annual performance season, from Wednesday, January 13th through Saturday, January 16th at New York’s Abrons Arts Center.”“This four-day celebration of the eclecticism of the trumpet in contemporary music, curated by Dave Douglas and Taylor Ho Bynum... Read Full Story

AfriClassical has received the following tributes to Hale Smith (1925-2009):Regina Harris Baiocchi, Chicago, IllinoisDear Family & Friends: My mentor, teacher, master composer and friend passed this evening. Please honor Hale by celebrating his music and remembering his family in your prayers. Mail may be addressed to Hale's wife: Mrs. Juanita Smith, 225 Pine Street, Freeport, NY 11520Dominique-René de Lerma, Appleton, WisconsinDear Regina, This news was initially a shock, but then I was ... Read Full Story

[“Music of Hale Smith”; CRI 860 (2000)]Hale Smith, an African American composer, pianist and professor who was born June 29, 1925, passed away at 11:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2009, according to his former student and longtime friend Regina Harris Baiocchi, in Freeport, New York. Hale Smith is survived by his wife Juanita Smith.Suzanne Flandreau of the Center for Black Music Research adds of Hale Smith: “He had been at home in hospice care for the past few months.” [Hale Smith is profiled... Read Full Story

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory, Appleton, Wisconsin, sends us this reminder:“CLAIMING CREATIVITY: Art Education in Cultural TransitionA Joint International Symposium presented by Columbia College Chicago in partnership with the European League of Institutes of the Arts, http://www.elia-artschools.org/” “Chicago, USA, April 21-24, 2010REMINDER: CALL FOR PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONSWe would like to remind you that the DEADLINE for submissions of papers and presen... Read Full Story

[Belle Ayiti: Mizik Savant Ayisyen (Beautiful Haiti: Haitian Classical Music); Tangente auYanvalou; Sonate Vodou Jazz; Haitian Folk Songs; Zanmi Ansanm Mizik Ayisyen (Friends Together For Haitian Music). Cover Art: Painting by Haitian artist Ernst Toussaint. (75:29)]AfriClassical.com is pleased to announce a new web page on Julio Racine, a Haitian composer, arranger and flutist who was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on February 4, 1945. He joins three other Haitian classical composers at th... Read Full Story

[Sing to the Sun: Chamber Music by Alvin Singleton, Troy 902 (2007)]Alvin Singleton informs us of a premiere performance of Almost A Boogie by the Walden Chamber Players: (http://www.waldenchamberplayers.org/season.html ) The performance will take place on March 7, 2010 @ 4 pm at St. Paul’s Church, 15 St. Paul Street, Brookline, Massachusetts. Schubert | Adagio and Rondo Concertante for piano and stringsSingleton | New commission for horn, bassoon, violin, viola, ‘cello and piano (World Prem... Read Full Story

AfriClassical has received this word from violist Eliesha Nelson regarding a Sono Luminus video of “Blues Lointains” (6:46) a work on the CD “Quincy Porter, Complete Viola Works"; Dorian Recordings DSL 90911 (2009):“The video of me and John M. Williams performing the Blues Lointains is finally available! I have a link to it on my blog at http://www.elieshanelson.com/blog. Hope you enjoy! Eliesha”Those who follow the link to Eliesha Nelson's website will also find a photo of her newborn son!Co... Read Full Story

[Mokale Koapeng]Sophia Welz of SANYO.org writes to us:“Dear Bill, The SA National Youth Orchestra will perform a fantastic concert in December in Stellenbosch. We've included a South African selection for the first half: 'Isijabane' by Mokale Koapeng, 'Strobe' by Robert Fokkens and 'Peach Blossoms' by Peter Klatzow. We're very excited about the inclusion of more South African repertoire to our list.”Overtone.co.za“As part of the Konservatorium Concert Series, the South African National Youth ... Read Full Story

[ABOVE: William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.) BELOW: “The Toledo Clarinets”; Greg Klaas, clarinet; Jocelyn Langworthy, clarinet; Shannon Ford, clarinet; Kevin Schempf, clarinet; Chelsea Tipton II, clarinet; Elliott Ross, clarinet; Greg Kostraba, piano; “Sonatina for Clarinet Choir” (11:38), Jerome Moross; “Lyric Quartette” (15:18), William Grant Still; “Quartet for Four B-Flat Clarinets” (10:28), Sean Osborn; “Christmas in... Read Full Story