Events commemorate Black Chorus conductor’s 25 years
By Melissa Mitchell, Arts Editor 217-333-5491; melissa@illinois.edu
It’s no wonder the little car icon – advising patrons to allow extra time for parking – has been posted on the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts page promoting the Black Sacred Music Symposium concert on Feb. 18. The parking garage is likely to fill up fast as alumni of the Black Chorus – and countless other friends and admirers of the ensemble – return to campus to take part in the 7:30 p.m. performance planned to celebrate Ollie Watts Davis’ 25th anniversary as the group’s conductor. The concert, which will feature new compositions from the sacred music tradition written in honor of Davis, is the culminating event planned as part of the eighth Biennial Black Sacred Music Symposium. The symposium runs Feb. 15-18, with events scheduled to take place at Krannert Center and Smith Hall. Also planned in Davis’ honor is a gala event at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center. The Black Chorus has been part of the university’s cultural landscape for 38 years. Its stated mission is “to sustain a high level of performance of African-American choral music” and to promote African-American culture through performance. Since Davis, who was recruited to the UI by the legendary singer and School of Music professor William Warfield, took over as conductor, the ensemble has become a perennial favorite on campus and in the local community. Beyond the borders of Champaign-Urbana, the award-winning chorus has performed at such diverse locations as correctional facilities, universities, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Martin Luther King Jr.’s former church, Ebenezer Baptist in Atlanta. “While the participating students have changed over the years, the Black Chorus has sustained a high level of musical performance under my leadership,” Davis said. “As an organization, it has gained greater appeal to a broader audience and enjoys a very diverse membership base, both in ethnic affiliation and professional interests. Over the years, Black Chorus has developed into a highly musical and supportive performance community. Exactly, what I hoped for when I started 25 years ago.” Davis said she also is proud of her role in founding the biennial symposium, as “the Black Chorus now engages non-members in educational and performance aspects.” But looking back at a quarter of a century of performances and relationships formed with young singers – many of them non-music majors – Davis said it is impossible to identify any one experience as more significant than another. “I regard every encounter, rehearsal and concert with the students in Black Chorus as significant experiences,” she said. “That I enjoy their trust as engaged learners and performing artists is significant. That I hear from former and current students regularly through letters, phone calls, cards and e-mails, attributing their experience in Black Chorus as meaningful and a large influence to their success is significant. That students with diverse professional interests and cultural affinities have sought to participate is significant.” Chorus manager Carlton Bruett says Davis herself is the magnet that draws students into the group and sustains their interest – often throughout their entire time on campus. Whether they are athletes or engineering majors, she makes welcome everyone with a desire to exercise their vocal chords. “Her gift is being able to take these novices, people who love music, and produce the sound she gets from them,” Bruett said. Among those non-music majors is one that shares her mentor’s last name – Jessica Ashley Davis. A pre-law senior majoring in Spanish and speech communication, Davis has been singing with the chorus for four years. “Black Chorus has always been a highlight of my schedule,” Jessica Davis said. “I have never been worthy of singing on ‘American Idol’ … but Dr. Davis allows even those ‘shower singers’ to feel as if they can contribute their voice to a tremendous product as long as you are a hard worker.” Davis the student says she admires Davis the teacher because she doesn’t play favorites, but instead respects each of her students equally. “She gives encouragement and admiration to those who have never received encouragement and admiration before. She has no idea where you come from, she knows we can’t sing like her, but because she shows so much love and respect, you do not want to give her anything short of excellence and hard work.” More information about the symposium and gala event is available online at the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, www.odos.uiuc.edu/aacp/, or by calling 333-2092. Concert tickets are available at the Krannert Center ticket office, www.krannertcenter.com or by calling 333-6280.
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