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.
A Conversation with
Rajiv Joseph
Pulitzer-Prize Nominated Playwright
Cromer/Flory Artist-in-Residence
Join Rajiv Joseph, playwright, screenwriter and Miami University alum, in a virtual discussion about his life and work including the recent Miami University Theatre Department reading of Describe the Night an epic play that traces the stories of seven lives connected by history, myth, and conspiracy theories.
Rajiv Joseph talk graphic
We Gather Together In Music Episode 7: The Flight of the Phoenix
A Concert Series on Diversity Equity & Inclusion
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies
For Karen Dawisha
“Phoenix” by Georgi Andreev performed by the Oxford Chamber Orchestra, formed with members of the Miami University Symphony Orchestra, with soloist Mary Harris, viola
Featuring
Professor Elijah van Benschoten
Miami University Emerging Technology in Business and Design students
Notes on the performance by MUSO Music Director Ricardo Averbach:
Born in Bulgaria, composer Georgi Andreev won awards from the Union of Bulgarian Composers and the Alfred Schnittke Prize for his Piano Sonata. Faithful to his roots as performer of Bulgarian folk music, he has been working for many years as chief conductor of the Philip Koutev State Folklore Ensemble.
Phoenix was named by the composer Georgi Andreev, a “chamber symphony for string orchestra” dedicated to the Armenian genocide. The work is divided into three movements, and in this interpretation they form a trilogy of colors abstractly conveyed in works produced by the students of Miami’s Emerging Technologies in Business and Design program, under Professor Elijah van Benschoten.
H’rteh (Fire) is represented by the color red
Vohpal (Lament) is represented by the color blue
Hajgagan bar (Armenian Dance) is represented by the color orange
While the first movement is performed by the GBU Orchestra conducted by the composer, the second and third movements are performed by the Oxford Chamber Orchestra with Professor Mary Harris as soloist.
NEW! YouTube Series in collaboration with the Miami University Symphony Orchestra
We Gather Together in Music: A Series on Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Ambitious in scope and impressively innovative, the virtual series brings together a global collection of compositions recorded remotely by orchestra members and then knitted together for an awe-inspiring orchestral sound. Conceived by Miami University Symphony Orchestra Music Director Ricardo Averbach and presented by the Performing Arts Series.
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 Final Episode: Joe Kovac, cello
Performance Details
Robert Schumann: Concerto in A minor for cello and orchestra Nicht zu schnell Joe Kovac, cello with Jacob Miller, piano
Joe Kovac discovered the cello in middle school and began lessons in high school. He received a Bachelor of Music from Florida State University where he studied with Mr. Gregory Sauer. Joe is currently working on a Master of Music at Miami University of Ohio under the tutelage of Dr. Sarah Kim. He will graduate in May and go on to pursue a Doctoral degree this fall. Joe currently plays in the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and will play with the renowned National Repertory Orchestra this summer. When he isn’t practicing, you would most likely see Joe weightlifting, running, or cooking.
Program notes The Cello Concerto in A minor, op. 129 (1850) was one of Robert Schumann’s last works before his battle with mental illness consumed him three years later. Schumann had two alter egos which he named Florestan and Eusebius. These characters give insight to his quirky genius, and present themselves operatically in the cello concerto. Florestan sings out during the bold, extroverted exclamations. Eusebius peaks through the cracks in a shy, introverted, and perhaps troubled voice. While concertos are usually a virtuosic display of the solo instrument, this cello concerto is more akin to poetry. Schumann uses the cello to narrate the conflict between his alter egos.
This cello concerto begins with a few dark, ponderous chords in the piano. This sets the stage for the voice of Eusebius, which enters shyly through the cello. Though this concerto is written in three movements played without pause, this stand-alone performance of the first movement requires
Musical Snack #30: Images, Book II, by Claude Debussy
Bruce Murray's Notes
Debussy composed two books (sets) of pianos pieces that he called Images. Each book comprises three pieces. Book I commences with "Reflets dans l'eau," one of the composers's best-known piano pieces, so Book I (1901-05)is more familiar than Book II (1907). Yet Book II contains music to die for, extraordinarily beautiful while being stunningly original. The titles for individual pieces are lovely and poetical, certainly, but irrelevant! Use the titles to refer to the pieces, then forget them.
YouTube 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