HBCU Arts and Classical Music: Allen University Hosts Colour of Music

The Colour of Music Festival announces the Columbia SC début of Colour of Music Festival ‘Petit’ September 11-15, 2019 at Allen University, Chapelle Auditorium, 1530 Harden Street, Columbia SC, a five-day festival featuring black classical artists and scholars from France, Britain, Colombia, the Caribbean, and the United States performing organ, piano, vocal, chamber and orchestral works showcasing the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture. This series is presented by the Office of the President of Allen University.

Since 2013, the Colour of Music Festival has brought classically trained black musicians together to offer the public an opportunity to experience the talent of prodigiously gifted classical principals, composers, and performers of African descent share their musical talents, knowledge, and inspiration.

Few classical music enthusiasts are aware of the tremendous contributions of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an African-French composer, and contemporary of Mozart, whose opera and classical masterpieces equaled or far exceeded those of his 18th century contemporaries. Though highly recognized overseas, his contributions have gathered little notice in the U.S. Today thousands of tremendously talented black classical principals, composers, and performers have few opportunities to grace concert stages of major American orchestras.

Leading black maestros Leslie B. Dunner and Jeffery L. Ames will serve as guest conductors to lead the Masterwork Series and Anyango Yarbo-Davenport will lead an all-female Colour of Music Festival Virtuosi.
2019 Colour of Music Festival ‘Petit’ highlights include:
An all-female Colour of Music Festival Virtuosi honors opera legend Leontyne Price, the most famous soprano of her generation and a major contributor to black classical music advancement, highlighting her work with composer Samuel Barber featuring soprano Laquita Mitchell performing Barber’s Hermit Songs.

Paris-based chamber artists Grimbert-Barré Trio, featuring brothers Romuald, Jonathan, and Maxence, make their Columbia début with Jonathan Grimbert-Barrés’ Triple Concerto for String Trio and Orchestra.
Three spotlight recitals include Kyle P. Walker, piano, German violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, violin and Jacqueline Pickett, double-bass in a special chamber presentation highlighting the double bass. Organist Charles D. Frost presents a special organ afternoon and will be showcased as soloist in the Sunday, September 15 performance of Robert Nathaniel Dett’s Chariot Jubilee. Jordan W. Thomas will present a harp recital and perform the South Carolina début of William Grant Still’s Harp Concerto Ennanga for Strings and Harp September 14.

Opening the Festival’s Masterworks Saturday, September 14 is Michigan-based Maestro Leslie B. Dunner conducting Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer 1915 featuring soloist Laquita Mitchell and Tribal Triple Concerto for Trio and Orchestra featuring the Grimbert-Barré Trio.

About Colour of Music

Now in its sixth year, the Colour of Music Festival offers a musical kaleidoscope highlighting the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture. The annual Colour of Music Festival will take place at various venues throughout historic Charleston, South Carolina.

Assembling acclaimed black chamber ensemble players and artists to form the Colour of Music Orchestra, the five-day Festival showcases some of the top black classical musicians in the United States, trained at some of the most prestigious music schools, conservatories and universities in the world.

HBCU Arts and Classical Music: Allen University Hosts Colour of Music

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