PRESS RELEASE
15 April 2006
New York, NY
MICHELE NORRIS AND ONAJE ALLAN GUMBS JOIN THE EVT EDUCATIONAL
PRODUCTIONS TEAM FOR CHORAL MUSIC DOCUMENTARY SERIES, “EVERY
VOICE AND SING!”
Michele Norris, the award-winning journalist and a host of National Public
Radio's “All Things Considered” has signed-on to be the series
host and narrator for “EVERY VOICE AND SING!”, EVT Educational
Productions’ new 5-part radio documentary series on the history and
legacy of the Choral Music of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Veteran Jazz pianist, arranger and composer Onaje Allan Gumbs has also agreed
to provide the musical arrangements and scoring for the series.
The project is a collaborative production of EVT Educational Productions, Inc.,
and JAZZ88.3FM WBGO Radio of Newark, New Jersey.
Said EVT Educational Productions President Eric V. Tait, Jr. “It’s
an honor and pleasure to have two such committed veterans as Michele Norris
and Onaje Allan Gumbs believe strongly enough in what we’re doing to add
their considerable talents to the successful completion of this Project.”
“EVERY VOICE, AND SING!” explores the social/political context
of the Civil War/Reconstruction era that brought about the formation of these
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their amazing Singing Groups.
The Series highlights the unique choral legacy of select learning institutions,
and traces the emotional and physical obstacles and triumphs of those schools
and their Vocal Touring Groups.
It will also look at the rise, alteration and re-invention of those HBCU
Singing Groups and the music they sang, and their related offshoots-from
Gospel to Pop to Jazz.
It culminates with a look at some current HBCU and other Choirs and Vocal
Groups, and the state of the music today.
The series is being made possible by a development grant from the Ford
Foundation, and EVT Educational Productions, Inc. is in contract discussions
with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for completion funding for the
5-part radio series.
E V T, Jr. evted@verizon.net
212.694.2218
www.evted.org
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