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What we also have to find is justice.
~Rigoberta Menchu
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Old Friend
NJ
It's been a long time, I am happy to see you are following your dreams. Site looks fantastic! Keep
doing your thing! God Bless!
joe
cape coast
Rashida. wow, its been a long tym. but u know. becos of lack of funds to lift the Oguaa youth choir to
perform this oratorio, it performanaces has ceased over the years. i will be happy if u link us with any
orchestra for help.
Darrel Andrews
It’s great to know of the great work the Myrtle Hart Society is doing under the leadership of Ms. Rashida
Black. Because of the many benefits of the Myrtle Hart Society, I, as a black composer, have been inspired.
May this great work continue with inspiration from above!
Dennis W. Thompson II
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Wow, such a great site. Where to begin? It looks like I can spend hours here, which is of course ideal! A
site with substance!
Den
Dr. Karen Walwyn
Washington, DC
The news letter looks fabulous. I look forward to reading more on these very successful artists of color!
Gwendoline Y. Fortune
Gainesville, FL
Rashida,
Your question as to the origins of classical musicians of color relates to a comment I make in the
series. Classical actually means,for me, beauty, enduring, and drawn from a wellspring of creativity. This is
not unlike any indigenous music and art, but just as many musicians have drawn on their village-indigenous
simple folk tunes that they, then, hone to complex compositions and the bes, most practiced singing voices ad
instrumentalists perform, having learned and been encouraged by the more experienced elders. I suggest that
this is the basis and essence of what becomes classical.
I speak of jazz "standards" as being
"classics," more than merely "pop-tunes. An enduring quality, a quality that speaks to the
soul.
This quality of creativity is more than a form of composition or style of even "school"
music and musicians. I'd say that musicians of African--any heritage--thus are or can be classical
musicians. Perhaps, it boils down to dedication, diligence drive and dream. For me, considered this way it is
not merely European and subsequent American adaptation of European forms and styles that make the music and
the musician "Classical." We have always been classically oriented in all our diversity, from
African village to plantation, to Roland Hayes, the Fisk Jubilee singers, Marian Anderson to you and the
plethora of young classical musicians of color, today
Listening to much contemporary classical music
(we'll say nothing of hip-hop) it came to me that when humans heard natural sounds the music reflected
those sounds, even beyond trying to stretch or change the forms in the early 1900s. How many contemporary
composers and performers--say, much of the mid to late 20th century heard natural sounds to emulate? When I
listen to much modern-post modern classical music I hear cacophonies of urban and technical sounds--not even
the park pigeons make beautiful sound.
Just thinking.
Gwen
Brent
Thanks so much for the newsletter. It is lot to digest for a "non-classically" trained person such
as myself
. It is quite informative though, so now I know just a little bit more.....and "knowing is
half the battle
" Keep 'em coming!
Wilmer Wise
Brooklyn, New York
It warms my heart to see black brass players in symphonies. When I joined the Baltimore Symphony in 1965 the
picture was bleak. Today, look around at the improvement. There is still work to be done.
Gail Black
Shida - The site looks GREAT! I like the fall color of the site; there is a lot of interesting reads too. I
did not read everything because I wanted to be sure the links connected to something. Many of your articles
draw the reader into wanting more info; you need a few days to read the monthly news letter. I was able to
check all of the links; they are fine. I look forward to reading more tomorrow when you send it out to the
world. It's ready to go!
p.s.
I love Bradford's eyes on his site. CUTE!
SONJA
This looks like you worked REALLY hard putting it together. You have so much information for activities
happening all over and that's amazing!
Robert W. Williams
Thank you!
Nevilla E. Ottley
So glad to see an agent for people of diversity in the classical music arena. Maybe someday some of our
students who now sing arias from opera and oratorio may be supported by your company. See our website and
what we are doing tomorrow
at:
**
**
** />leymusic.org
Gwendoline Y. Fortune
Gainesville, Florida
The new format is excellent but everything you do is superlative. My regret is that none of the excellent
performances are near to Gainesville. FL. Three Mo Tenors were at the UF Phillips Center but I did not learn
of the program until too late. I am nostalgic for Chicago. Kudos to you.
Jann (Janette Moody)
Detroit, Michigan
Thank you for your email AND WONDERFUL PRESENTATION. Please keep me informed and make me a permanent part of
your email/mailing list. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Cornelius Johnson
Chicago, IL
Dear Rashida,
Amazing job. I now feel much more connected to other artists of color. It is inspiring and
informative to see what is taking place with our artists. Keep up the good work. Also, thank you for having
me on your list. I also have a website, if you would like to connect that with my name. It will be updated
and revamped very soon, but it is there.
Laura English-Robinson
Atlanta, Georgia
I always enjoy the contents of this "Society"
Your work is appreciated and applauded!
Happy
Birthday...and many more Birthdays and Articles!
Terri Allen
THIS IS FABULOUS! I love it. I am confident everyone else will also.
Thank you for including Victor in
the special birthday issue. The article was very good.
God bless you in your ministry and congratulations.
Nana Dadzie
Accra
Can you tell me it is not true.?ALFRED ADDAQUAY AND THE OGUAA YOUTH CHOIR PERFORMS ORATORIO TO STANDING
OVATION
An oratorio is a large musical work, which contains a succession of choruses, arias (solos), duets
and recitatives with orchestral accompaniment.
It is also a musical drama in which the choruses and duets
serves as commentary while the narrator?s recitative relates the story and connects one piece with another.
That is what Addaquay has done and named ?Laudate? which comprises 32 classical songs.
Alfred received a
standing ovation from a large audience which listened to his work live at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST), last week Friday.
The audience included the Akyempimhene,
Oheneba Adusei Poku, Professor K. N. Andam, Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, Very Rtd. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr,
Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, Very Rtd. Rev. Yinkak Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi and Rev. Otuo Acheampong,
Presbyterian Chairman of Kumasi.
Alfred was accompanied in the live performance by the Oguaa Youth Choir of
Cape Coast, which was conducted by Ebenezer Appiah-Danquah and other soloists.
The soloists were Seth
Lartey, Martin Appiah, Fei Ebow Ocran, Theodore Kennedy Duodu Dankwa, Gloria Kwakye Acheampong, Constance
Wilberforce and Edith Gertrude Awotwi Pratt.
Addaquay?s ?Laudate? was composed, written and arranged by
himself, making it a first of its kind perhaps in Ghana. In addition to that he has in his repertoire a lot of
compositions in the vein of Gospel, Highlife, Christian Carols and Anthem.
He had the first live
performance of his ?Laudate? at the auditorium of the University of Cape Coast in March last year where the
premiere last two hours.
Alfred is a first year student at the Department of Music at the University of
Cape Coast (UCC). He was born on September 17, 1985 in Kumasi to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Addaquay. He had his
basic education at the KNUST Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Kumasi before gaining admission to
Mfantispim School in Cape Coast. He had distinction in Music at the SSSCE at Mfantispim School, which he
completed in 2004.
He started playing the organ at a tender age of seven and has been a regular player of
the organ at the Kumasi Wesley Methodist Cathedral whenever,he is on holiday.He has an album with the Oguaa
Youth Choir of Cape caost.
Anthony
cape coast
At just 21 years of age, Alfred Patrick Addoquay has composed an Oratorio, yes, here in Ghana
Oteino Vumapile
oakland, ca
I am so happy that you are doing so much great work!
What a great find! Please keep up the great and needed
resource.
You have my support.
Oteino Vumapile
Secret Admirer 2
You're doing an amazing job! Continue to keep your eye on the prize
Lior Navok
Hi Rashida!
Sorry not to write earlier!
I am glad to see that you are now heading a very important
foundation! I am less happy to see that such a foundation needs to exist, as if to promote or bringing to
awareness great musicians, that only found themselves surrounded by a society that could not or only partly
accept them because of their color. I wish it could be different.
Nilwona
Chicago, IL (USA)
Rashida,
After seeing this site, I must say that I'm honored to know you and look forward to
working with you! Great job!
Gwendoline Y. Fortune, Ed. D.
This is a site you may find valuable. Loads of information in its links. Added to ** we
may have the possibility of rekindling the light, something of beauty, not merely for people of color, but
Americans, as it should be. Given the short shrift that talent beyond the "popular" receives,
renaissance can be initiated. Join the conversation.
Thanks,
gwen
Destiny
Oakland, CA
Greetings Rashida!!!!!!
Girrrrrrrrl ya know that I am smiling ear to ear to see myself as the featured
artist on your site!! Thank you! Both concerts were on HIT! Saturday with my band, A Band of Angels smoked!
6 of OakTowns hottest musicians: Tarika Lewis on electric violin, Troy Lampkins on electic bass, Bill Norwood
on trap drums, Tacuma King on percussions, Cliff Gamble on keys and piano, and Bobby Young on guitar (s), and
MOI! We turned some Irish jigs into Jazz jigs in 6/8 Then we took a EWF tune, 'Might People'
turned it into D minor groove to introduce the Band members-- the solos were smooth and unique the audience
was grooving with us and were surprise at the energy a harp could bring to the music. Big fun!! Sunday @
Chapel of the Chimes spiritual deep folky funky
feel -- Me & Bobby had a 30 minute hit-- 'Elijah
Rock' funky chant and then my original 'House on the side of the Hill' into
Jimmi Hendrix
"Little Wings" big Surprise on this one! Needless to say I am still high from the weekend and in
preparation for this weekends private dates and rehearsals for upcoming concerts at months end-- thanks for
letting my harp brothas and sistahs know about me!!!
Much Love
Destiny
**
Martha
NJ
Hi Rashida.
Nothing makes me happier than to share special events from my sisters and their families. You,
of course, are extremely special and I wish to you the best on this adventure. The site is beautiful.... a
bit slow, but it is well put toghether and easy to follow.. this coming from a tech head... I will surely be
sharing this with my freinds and family.
Buena Suerte Chica!
Best of luck Girl!!!
Secret Admirer
This site looks wonderful!! I'm so very proud of you. And the fact that you did it all by yourself...
tres cool. CONGRATS!!!
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