Angela Brown Headlines Black History Month Concert

Brown has performed in opera and symphonic settings across six continents. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of "Aida," sang the award-winning solo for composer Nkeiru Okoye's "When the Caged Bird Sings" and is a featured artist on the two-time Grammy Award-winning recording "Ask Your Mama."

The concert, dubbed "If Love Fails, Try Nothing Else," is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public.

George W. K. Dor, professor of music, has organized the concert annually since it began in 2005, often featuring the Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble and other ensembles from the Department of Music.

"It not only allows us to perform repertoire with a focus on celebrating Black composers; it allows our students to be part of a larger celebration with a focus on the importance of Black culture in the arts and our society," said Don Trott, professor of music and director of choral activities.

Trott directs the UM Concert Singers, who are slated to perform this year. The Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble will present a Ghanaian ethnic dance and two songs on the themes of love and God's grace.

Music professor and pianist Amanda Johnston will accompany Brown.

"I am very excited to perform a recital with Angela Brown as part of the annual Black History Month Concert," Johnston said. "In addition to being an accomplished dramatic soprano on the opera stage, she is also committed to showcasing the music of Black composers.

"Our program promises to be compelling, including works by Richard Danielpour, Nkeiru Okoye and John Daniel Carter."

Brown's repertoire for the concert includes arranged spirituals, arias from operas penned by Black composers and art songs commissioned and premiered by Brown.

While on campus, the vocalist will conduct a Q&A session for music students at 4 p.m. Feb. 24 in the choral rehearsal room of the music building. Students are invited to participate in a master class with the singer from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 in Nutt Auditorium.

"What students may gain depends on each individual student," Dor said. "While the audience will experience sublime artistry, some music students may gain inspiration and motivation for their future career paths."

Top: Angela Brown, an acclaimed soprano who has performed on six continents, is the featured guest artist for the university's 20th annual Black History Month Concert. The free performance is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Polina Osherov