spring 2016 - Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts

COALITION FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS
“Bringing Color to the Classics!”
MEMBER NEWS
April 2016
Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts Newsletter
National Medal of Arts Awardee
Hosts “Arias at Sea Cruise”
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama awarded CAAPA Board
Member George Shirley the prestigious 2015 National Medal of Arts Award for his
work in the arts. Adding to his long list of significant contributions to music, including being the first Black tenor to sing a leading role on the main stage for the Metropolitan Opera, Shirley will host the first-ever cruise on the high seas featuring
Blacks in Classical Music. Departing on November 6, 2016, the CAAPA sponsored
“Arias at Sea” sets sail from the Port of Baltimore aboard Carnival’s Pride and
features soprano Angela Renée Simpson, tenor Issachah Savage, bass-baritone
Marvin Lowe, and Broadway soprano N’Kenge, as well as pianist Lester
Green, with narration by soprano, Pamela Simonson. Patrons will enjoy the
daily recitals aboard the baroque-style ship, with concerts in Nassau and Freeport,
Bahamas, featuring the Bel Canto Singers and Allegro School of Music, respectively, with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Bahamas Consulate General
officially greeting CAAPA patrons in the Bahamas and on board. (more on page 4)
“It is not often they want
someone who looks like
me and sounds like me.”
Meroe Adeeb,
Soprano
...CAAPA
provides a vehicle.
Standing Room Only at Black History Tribute
CAAPA presented a stellar cast at the “Deep River: Black Classical Composers
Tribute” concert at the Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel, MD for 100 + guests. Music historian and 2015 CAAPA Awardee Nevilla Ottley and others, provided guests
with an intriguing look at the history of Black composers, their legacy, and life.
In This Issue
“Deep River” participants gather on stage for much deserved applause.
1.

George Shirley Hosts

Black History Tribute

Ooh La La Gala

CAAPA Scholarships

CAAPA Outreach

Funding Update
Year-Round
Donations
Needed
Just because traditional donation
season
has
passed,
CAAPA’s programming continues and we need your support!
Morris Robinson and Brandie Sutton to perform at CAAPA Gala Awards & Concert
Gala Delivers Top Talent, Legacy Awards,
& Ooh La La Surprises
This year’s CAAPA Awards Gala, Concert, & Silent Auction scheduled for
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 6:00 pm will deliver top talent, awards to musical
legends, and lots of surprises, all with a French Ooh la la twist! Themed “An
Evening in Paris”, the spectacular evening includes a VIP Pre-Concert Gala,
Awards Concert, and After Party. Pricing determines whether patrons hear jazz
music at a reception, receive complimentary red carpet photos, wine from a variety of vintages, enjoy heavy hor’derves, tempting desserts, and other surprises.
Some of the region’s top classical music legends
to receive awards during gala
With so many who have contributed to the classical music genre, it was a difficult
decision, but this year’s CAAPA Legacy Awards go to soprano Carmen Balthrop,
tenor George Shirley, and soprano Regina McConnell (shown below).
Headlining the event are classical talents, bass Morris Robinson and soprano
Brandie Sutton (shown
above). Robinson is an acclaimed performer who has
sung on opera stages and in
concert halls throughout the
world, while Sutton is a relatively new shining star destined to rise to the top. The
CAAPA committee felt it musically interesting to juxtapose the two talents, highlighting the amazing variety of Black talent abounding in classical music today.
The CAAPA Youth 2016 Awardee will also perform after being selected by judges
after the 2016 Student Showcase on Saturday, May 14 at Oxon Hill Library.
Other surprise performances and music, round out the evening’s festivities, promising to make for a wonderful event, including a Silent Auction and CAAPA video.
Donations benefit youth, musicians, outreach programs
and more
Suggested donations for the VIP package is $100. per person. General admission
is $40.00. Patrons may select either of the two packages and/or place a congratulatory ad/message by going online via Eventbrite, sending payments to the
CAAPA office, or making a payment by phone at 301-839-1444.
2.
As the summer is quickly upon us,
it also ultimately means the new
2016-2017 season is just around
the corner. CAAPA plans an exciting and aggressive calendar for
next year, including venues at the
Kennedy Center ant Montpelier
Arts Center, but many African
American classical musicians went
without performing and showcasing their talent last year. We make
an effort to bring these musical
talents to the limelight, but cannot
do it without your help. These talented musicians would have loved
an opportunity to present their gifts
to audiences and the world, but
may not have had supportive vehicles with which to do it. That’s
where CAAPA comes in.
YOU CAN HELP! Your heartfelt
and generous donation will assist
CAAPA in providing much needed financial opportunities to Black
classical musicians and others so
they may continue to study and/or
perform. As an organization created to provide community outreach,
arts education, audience development, performance opportunities
and arts partnerships in support of
Black classical musicians and others in the performing arts, CAAPA
is dedicated to help galvanize
organizations, associations, presenters, sponsors, and supporters
like you with performing, aspiring,
and emerging artists, along with
students in creative ways. Your
generous gift will help make our
decade-plus long efforts possible
and with your generous donation,
CAAPA’s goals can be met!
Please help support African American classical musicians in an exciting and needed way --- a perfect
way to help enrich people of the
African Diaspora in the performing
arts. Won’t you please send a
pledge gift and contribute today?
Thank you in advance. Your
support is greatly appreciated.
Scholarship
Season is Here
INVITATION TO MAKE
A DIFFERENCE!!! The
Scholarship Fund is in full
swing. Scholarship Chairperson Jayne Johns is
doing a great job at coordinating the program.
(Johns was also awarded
the CAAPA 2015 Volunteer
of the Year Award ), but it
also boils down to money
and how much we have
to give each student. The
program offers mentorships, guidance, workshops, and more. In order
to continue granting each
student a scholarship,
along with awarding a top
student the annual Youth
Music Award to attend a
music program, we need
your financial support.
Please send your donation today.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! Upcoming Student Showcase on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at
11:00 am at Oxon Hill Library features graduating high school music students from the
region. Each participant receives a scholarship! FREE TO ATTEND!!! Great for all ages!
Scholarship recipients (above) enjoy Student Showcases of past years.
Meet CAAPA Outreach team
The CAAPA team is growing and continues to make a significant impact in the community, region, and the world. On the local and regional front, two passionate musicians have joined CAAPA’s team. The two-year old national initiative program is
expanding, while internationally, a seasoned world traveler and arts lover is onboard,
Local and Regional Outreach
Tenor Wayne Jennings is spearheading the Opera for Fun Youth
Outreach Program, which targets youth from pre-school to 12th
grade. The program includes the Mini Mozart Master Class, Figaro
Teen Youth Program, Opera 4 Kidz Master Classes, and more.
Jennings will focus on public schools, camps, and youth programs.
Alexander Strachan, a young violinist from Bowie, MD has a passion for the senior citizen community. CAAPA has partnered with his
company, Healing Strings, Inc. to coordinate the Sing for Seniors Program. He will visit and perform at senior citizen facilities, centers,
community senior programs, nursing homes, and hospitals.
National Outreach to HBCU’s
Now in its second year, Angela Renee Simpson has successfully
spearheaded CAAPA’s national initiative, the MasterClass Series
which targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s)
and marries their music departments to an acclaimed musician.
The CAAPA MusicMaster then presents an interactive workshop
master class to students, faculty, and guests offering feedback, advice, and help.
International Outreach
Arts advocate, music lover, and activist Bonita Adeeb now serves
as CAAPA’s International Outreach Coordinator. The mover and
shaker will help develop CAAPA’s international presence by utilizing her knowledge and love for cultures from the African and Asian
continents in featuring recitals, concerts, festivals, and Embassy
partnerships.
DONATE TODAY TO ANY OR ALL OF CAAPA’s PROGRAMS
Call today to make a donation 301-839-1444, visit www.4caapa.org, or send your check to
CAAPA, PO Box 44954 Fort Washington, MD 20744.
3.
Funding Update
A question always worth asking is “How we doin’?”
Fiscal responsibility, fundraising, budgeting, and financial
management are keys to any successful non-profit organization, and CAAPA is no
exception! While patrons are excited about CAAPA’s unique, creative, and progressive programming events and initiatives, it takes sound management to maintain
sustainability, retention, assessments, cost anaylsis, and more. CAAPA also continues to aggressively pursue funding opportunities, which takes work in Development
and Grants. Benita Dallas has taken the helm as Director of Development and The
Write Group, headed by CEO Maggie Holmes, has successfully guided CAAPA
in grantwriting for the past two years. But it doesn't stop there...we still need and appreciate your help! Won’t you consider a tax deductible gift today?
Contact Us
CAAPA
Post Office Box 44954
Fort Wash., MD 20744
301-839-1444
[email protected]
Visit us on the web at
www.4caapa.org
Cabins Still Available for “Arias at Sea Cruise”!
Book your cabin today for the November 6 —13, 2016 “Arias at Sea: Blacks in Classical Music Cruise”.
Balcony Double occupancy is $959 pp. Inside cabin is $759.00 pp. Both include taxes, fees, port charges, shuttles in the Bahamas, and more! Partners are Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Bahamas Consulate General.
Additional exclusive optional onboard CAAPA events included in the price are Welcome Aboard Musical Soiree, Blacks in
Classical Music Panel, Hasta la Vista Piano Reception, Broadway Karaoke Night, Masked Ball Line Dance Party, All-White
Dinner with Group Photo, and more. Music every day performed by Black classical musicians. Shuttle service to island recital
venues followed by receptions. Deadlines for full payment is August 1, 2016. Call 301-203-0929 or 301-839-1444.
“Arias at Sea: Blacks in Classical Music Cruise”...CAAPA helping to “Bring Color to the Classics” and to the High C’s!
CAAPA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) arts organization (FEIN 26-0093440).
“Bringing Color to the Classics!”
CAAPA - Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts
Post Office Box 44954
Fort Washington, MD 20744
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