The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE SOUTHEASTERN African-American Collegiate Music Festival ended on a strong note when the harmonious voices of five choirs filled the College of the Bahamas Performing Arts Centre. The work of several African-American composers were celebrated during the finale event held this past weekend.

The SEAAC is a festival that brings together historically black university choirs in celebration of the work of leading composers.

COB became the only non-American member of the festival in 2000, and is the only college outside of the US to host the festival.

Shortly after the 2003 experience, festival founder Dr Willie Jackson and his team wanted to bring the event back to the Bahamas. The SEAAC being hosted at COB this past weekend was the result of years of planning.

Choirs from Alabama State University, South Carolina State University, Southern University and A&M College and Winston-Salem State University, came to the Bahamas last week to participate in the event.

During the festival the work of composers Dr Eurydice Osterman, Dr Rosephanye, D Powell and Audrey Dean Wright were performed.

The college has had many firsts when it comes to the SEAAC festival. Dr Dean-Wright, director of COB choir, became the first non-Bahamian composer to be featured in the festival. Dr Dean-Wright’s flute and piano pieces were featured in the finale concert.

Dr Dean-Wright said there were major gains as a result of COB’s involvement in the festival. She said the activities further developed the students’ vocal skills and expanded their repertoire. They also had the distinction of working with the composers being recognised.

“When I look at my students and the small music department we have, we have done tremendously well. The students got to measure themselves against other international students which allowed them to see where they really are against the world,” she told Tribune Arts.

“We are heading toward university status, and the only way we are going to be successful is to forge relationships with other universities. Many times we look at other universities and we think COB is not what it is supposed to be. It takes other people from abroad to let us know exactly where we. We are doing a good job given our limited resources,” she said.

Dr Dean-Wright said the relationship the college has forged with other universities is something that cannot be bought and there is no telling what could possibly come out of those connections.

“It gives the college a more global view and allows us to forge relationships with international institutions while providing opportunities for academic conversations, cross references and exchanges with colleagues from other institutions of higher learning. Student also engaged in a cross cultural exchange, one of the most important aspects of the music festival,” Dr Dean-Wright said.

“It was more than just music. They got to see a little bit of who we are and that was one of the most important things about the festivals. I think sharing aspects of our culture was something beneficial. Many times when we talk to students and professors from the south, we find that they cook similar foods, the also do basket weaving, and they play similar games like the ring play. So we found out that we are connected in some way,” she said.

The College of The Bahamas Concert Choir was formed in 1998 under Dr Dean-Wright’s direction. The choir has performed at community events, national events, international conferences and high profile music festivals including a recent performance in New York held at the historic Episcopal Church of the Intercession.

The event was held under the theme “A Concert for Spring: From Concert Classics to Calypso”. The 33-member group, which includes four faculty members, performed a mixed genre selection, including classical music, negro spirituals and golden oldies as well as Caribbean and Bahamian music.

In New York, the choir also met with Lorna Myers, vocal coach, former Metropolitan Opera soloist and director of the Harlem Girls Choir, who conducted a master class.

The choir is expect to perform at the Lincoln Centre next year in May.