In the light of Black History Month, Winthrop Music and Dance will feature both string and dance students in a performance that is one of many in collaboration with the Charlotte Strings Collective.
“The [Charlotte Strings Collective] is a community string group composed of students, faculty, and alumni from UNC Charlotte and Winthrop University; students and alumni from Northwest School of the Arts; members of the Charlotte and Union Symphonies; area freelancers; and Charlotte-area public school music teachers.” according to coaa.charlotte.edu.
Performing virtually for the first time in 2020 to “affirm that Black Lives Matter”, the Charlotte Strings Collective has collaborated with the Charlotte Symphony and Winthrop University to celebrate the music of Black composers through performance and education.
In addition to featuring string music by living artists, the charlotte strings collective highlights works by historical composers whose talents were not properly recognized and honored due to racism.
Professor of Violin, Kari Giles is the coordinator of the Celebrating Black Composers event.
“I believe that it is past time to celebrate the artistry of Black composers. This music is rich and beautiful, with each composer offering their own unique and valuable musical voice. These works deserve to be a part of the Western Classical canon that are played daily in concert halls around the world.” Giles said.
The concert, joined by dancers from The Wanda Project, “a ballet-based contemporary dance company” according to Winthrop.edu, founded by associate dean and director of graduate studies, will highlight several Winthrop Seniors.
Trinity Howell will be the viola soloist for Florence Price’s “Adoration,” and Madison Bush has composed a work especially for this concert called “Columns.” Semira Daniels and Donovan Granville will be dancing in a special work honoring Breonna Taylor.
“For the students performing and in the audience, I hope they will feel empowered. I want them to realize that they BELONG on that stage, and that the world is a more beautiful place because of their art. For the entire audience, I hope they come away inspired to have heard music they may have never heard before, and perhaps be excited enough to go explore and discover more new music!” Giles said.
