Colour of Music: Black Classical Musicians Festival

The Colour of Music Festival present the début of Colour of Music Festival “Petit,” September 11-15 at Allen University, Chapelle Auditorium. This five-day festival features 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 have on both American and world culture.

Series is presented by the Office of the President of Allen University.

About The Colour of Music Festival:

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 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.
• Nashville’s Belmont University conductor Jeffery L. Ames will lead the Colour of Music Festival Chorale to honor black composers along with the Benedict College, Claflin University, and Morris College concert choirs presenting Robert Nathaniel’s Chariot Jubilee with Rodrick Dixon, tenor and organist Charles D. Frost. Franz Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass will feature guest soloists Icy Monroe, soprano, Lucia R. Bradford mezzo soprano, Johnnie Felder tenor, and Washington Isaac Holmes, baritone.
• A  symposium series featuring thought leaders will highlight academic perspectives of the cultural contributions of black artists including An Ode to Leontyne Price, facilitated by Dr. Christopher Brooks and joined by her brother and manager retired Brigadier General, George B. Price, and a literary presentation on the life and legacy of tenor Roland Hayes.
• The Festival will also engage the area’s K-12 schoolchildren with educational and engagement activities throughout Richland County.