Black Arts Initiative
Hope, Activism, and Reconciliation through Music, Drama, Art, Literature
Accomplished International Artists. Interactive Virtual Programs that Unite.
Goals of the Initiative
Leverage the power of Black Arts and Artists to inspire conversation and invoke change.
Use the exploration and discovery of Black Music and Arts to heal and unite.
Find commonality, build community.
Let’s Work Together!
Excited by what you see? We are eager to connect and share the wisdom and warmth of everyone involved in the Black Arts Initiative with you.
Let’s get the conversation started!
Gwenmarie Ewing
Performing Arts Series Assistant Director
ewingg@miamioh.edu
From the Producers
In response to the ongoing crisis faced by the United States at the hands of racial injustice, it is becoming increasingly more important for organizations and individuals alike to not simply be “not racist” but to actively work to become ANTI-Racist.
By providing a series of Artist-led educational tools and strategies to harness principles of equity, inclusivity and diversity, our team seeks to encourage and empower participants to play a more active and pivotal role in dismantling racism in their workplace and everyday lives.
NEW! YouTube Series in collaboration with the Miami University Symphony Orchestra
Concerto Competition Winners: A Series Celebrating Miami Student Performers
Applaud the skilled performances of the selected champions of the Music Department’s annual competition. In years past, these lauded students would have been soloists at the MUSO’s spring concerts performing for in-person audiences. This year, they each perform a short recital for the cameras in the elegant setting of the Oxford Community Arts Center ballroom.
Concerto Competition Winners Episode 1
Christopher Pacleb, viola
Joseph Browning, baritone
Performance Details
Christopher Pacleb, viola with Heather MacPhail, piano
Paul Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher
Joseph Browning, baritone with Christina Haan, piano
Maurice Ravel: Don Quichotte à Dulcinée
Musical Snack #20: Allegretto in C minor, D. 915 by Franz Schubert
Bruce Murray's Notes
Franz Schubert died in 1828 at age 31. He outlived Beethoven by just a year, and during his final year Schubert produced one singular, astonishing piece of music. The Allegretto would appear to be a small, simple piece, but it reveals a level of musical detail available to only the most expert composers. More importantly it inhabits that special sound-world of late Schubert, a place where isolation may give way to delirium and where joy is tempered by the notion that madness may be nearby. I suppose it could be COVID music, but, God, it is so beautiful.
FREE web series in collaboration with the Oxford Community Arts Center
Musical Snacks: Mozart to Joplin with Bruce Murray
Wednesdays at noon wherever you are, take a break, a deep breath and enjoy a few minutes of exquisite piano music selected and performed by Oxford's own Bruce Murray and recorded in the beautiful ballroom of Oxford Community Arts Center.
New Episodes each Wednesday!
If you miss a week or want to re-watch a piece, don't worry, the videos will remain available on YouTube.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Feel Hope in the Music!
Michael Mwenso's Songs of Black Hope and Resistance
Black Music has always played a role in American protest, hope, and resilience.
In this FREE multi-media, web series, curator and host Michael Mwenso investigates meaningful songs from the Black roots expression that speak to the ultimate human expression.
Explore the Songs of Black Hope and Resistance
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Get in Touch
Even though our office in Hall Auditorium remains closed due to Covid 19, we want to see you! Please give us a call or drop us an email and we would be happy to meet via Zoom or schedule a physically distanced in-person meeting.
Contact Us
We Salute Our Sponsors
Presidential Series on Inclusivity - sponsored by the Office of the President
Chris Adryan, Realtor, Special Agent @Re-Max Alpha Real Estate
The Bothast-Revalee Family of Oxford, OH
Jerome Conley
The Humanities Center
Jack Keegan
The Knolls of Oxford
The Lutz Family Foundation
I Am Miami
MIA Restaurant + Studio
Talawanda-Miami Partnership
Scott and Jennifer Walter
Western College Alumnae Association
Our Partners Amplify Our Impact
Center for American and World Cultures
Enjoy Oxford
Miami Activities + Programming (MAP)
Miami University Office of Diversity Affairs
Oxford Community Arts Center
Oxford Seniors
Talawanda Public Schools
Welcome Week, Division of Student Life