Spring Is Alive With The Sound Of Music
The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts Presents a Lineup of Virtual Events
By Cecil Merkerson
Throughout very successful Black History and Women’s History Months, the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts )CAAPA) showcased many different performances and events that were well received within virtual communities.
The series started with the Mozart to Mala concert spotlighting solo jazz artist Mala Waldron, which took place in January. Followed by the Generations: Music and The Black Family Panel; Negro Spiritual Sing-along; and the Oral History Project, partnered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Ivy Community Charities of Prince George’s County. They were all a part of CAAPA’s Black History programming, as well as a concert collaboration with the University of Maryland Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Access Program (IDEA).
Headlining March, Unplugged! Panel highlighted 20-something youth in performing arts. CAAPA also partnered with Washington Performing Arts (WPA) to present a Master Class, following a concert featuring Black composers performed by mezzo soprano J’Nai Bridges.
The CAAPA Master Class Series is a national series funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to produce master classes in music departments. The series is available through December.
Executive Director for CAAPA, Terri Allen, spoke of CAAPA’s involvement with HBCUs, “Our focus is the Black classical musician, who helps inspire, motivate and encourage aspiring, and emerging Black students. Many of the top Black classical musicians facilitate the sessions at the schools,” Allen said. “Some of the annual partnerships include Morgan, Howard, Virginia State, Morehouse, Spelman, Xavier, and Hampton.”
CAAPA also presented a Women’s History Month concert, which included Generations: Music and The Black Family Series. Any donations received for the virtual event was contributed to the National Opera House project, the first Negro Opera House in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Allen stated that moving to virtual performances has been a hidden blessing as the range of people to see the events increased, “It’s been [a] bittersweet situation for CAAPA because even during the pandemic, our audiences have increased significantly,” Allen said. “With live events we only had people from the region attend, as opposed to our virtual programs attracting many more on our social media platforms including Facebook Live, YouTube and Twitter. We have also done a lot of cross-posting with a variety of different events and activities.”
CAAPA continues to create art even during the pandemic including the Multi GENERATIONS Chorus a volunteer entity open to people of all ages.
“Families can be a part of the project. We encourage grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles to join as a group,” says CAAPA co-founder Pamela T. Simonson. “Usually, there are choruses for men, choruses for women, or children, but you never have a chorus that embraces all ages, family, and friends.” The dates for the virtual rehearsal are Saturday, April 10, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 pm; Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 pm; and Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 pm.
