Page 8 - 2018 Art-i-facts Jan-Feb

Dr. J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts, Inc. presents
THE BESE SAKA FESTIVAL

The African American Spiritual―Our Legacy

Saturday, February 24, 2018; 2:00pm
Polk State College Student Center, Winter Haven, Florida

contributions to American music. Among many other
Dr. Roland M. Carter,
Guest Conductor honors and awards is induction into the Alpha Alpha
Chapter of Phi MU Alpha Sinfonia and a member of the
Inaugural Signature Sinfonian class. In August of 2012, he
was designated a National Arts Associate and inducted
as a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity
and in the summer of 2013, the Tennessee American
Choral Directors Association presented him its Lifetime
Achievement Award.
A past president of the National Association of Negro
Musicians, Carter has a most distinguished service
record having held seats on the on the boards of
directors of the League of American Orchestras,
Tennessee Arts Commission, Chattanooga Symphony
and Opera Association, Arts Build of Chattanooga, and
presently, a board member of CHORUS AMERICA. He
ROLAND MARVIN CARTER, affectionately dubbed DEAN OF CHOIRS is founder and CEO of Mar-Vel, Inc., a music publisher
and DEAN OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC, is Professor Emeritus specializing in the music of African American composers
of American Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and traditions; and is Founder and Executive Director
(UTC), where he served for 24 years. Prior to this appointment, he was of The Roland Carter Institute for Studies in American
Director of Choirs and Music Department Chair at his undergraduate Music. He maintains an active schedule of workshops
alma mater, Hampton University for two and one-half decades. and guest conductor appearances and for 14 years has
conducted the Chancel Choir at the Cascade United
Carter’s accomplishments as a leading figure in the choral arts include Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA.
lectures, workshops, master classes, and concerts with major choruses
and orchestras in prestigious venues nationwide. He is especially
noted as an authority on the performance and preservation of music
of African American traditions and composers. As an arranger, he is,
perhaps best known for his settings of IN BRIGHT MANSIONS ABOVE,
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE? and his festival setting of LIFT EVERY
VOICE AND SING.
Carter served as music director of the acclaimed Chattanooga Choral
Society for the Preservation of African American Song and was music
advisor and principal guest conductor for the Houston Ebony Opera
(TX) Gala Concerts. He has been active with the Hampton University
Ministers Conference for over five decades, having moved through The Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches
the ranks of student accompanist to assistant director to Director of The Bese Saka Festival will be hosted by the Sankofa
Music. Since 2011, The Roland M. Carter Living Legends Award has Chorale. They will present the Ebony Chorale and the
been presented annually by the Choir Directors – Organists Guild of the Tampa Bay Ensemble as guest choirs. Dr. Carter will
Hampton University Ministers Conference. conduct a two-hour workshop beginning at 10:30 AM on

He was elected to honorary membership of the internationally acclaimed Saturday morning, February 24, 2018. The mass choir
Morehouse Glee Club, joining two other musicians so honored during selections will be conducted by Dr. Carter. Our community
the history of the award - Robert Shaw and Leonard DePaur. Shaw of singers are invited to participate in the workshop and
University, Raleigh, NC; and Clark Atlanta University awarded Carter concert. The concert will cost $5.00 per person. Contact
an honorary doctor degrees for his outstanding achievements and Dr. Jessie Owens for more information at (863)-604-5415.

8 Art-i-facts • January-February 2018 • www.polkarts.org