The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM)
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Posted By: Charles Cannon on June 21, 2009 The 90th year of existence of NANM will be celebrated in Chicago, July 25-30 with fine artists and aspiring artists from throughout the USA. Visit www.nanm.org for all programming details. Founded in Chicago in 1919, the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. is the country’s oldest organization dedicated to the preservation, encouragement and advocacy of all genres of the music of African Americans. In A Documentary History of the National Association of Negro Musicians (2004, Center for Black Music Research), Dr. Doris Evans McGinty (1924-2005) cites in "The Significance of NANM" (p. 54) how the benefits of membership in the organization have remained constant during its almost nine-decade existence: The founding of NANM in 1919 came as an island of opportunity for the African-American musician. For an annual membership fee of $5, music teachers and musical performers had the chance to meet and compare notes with their counterparts from other parts of the country; to hear concerts from familiar and unfamiliar musical literature; to become acquainted with the new teaching techniques that were discussed in the workshops; to benefit from exposure to high standards of musicianship; to discuss mutual problems and strategize solutions; and to enhance the status of the private music studios by allowing prize students to compete for scholarships. Here, too, was an opportunity for young musicians to benefit not only from scholarships but also from the attention of professional musicians and to enjoy the fellowship of other young aspiring musicians. Here was the chance for the church or community choir singer to blend his or her voice with the NANM convention choir, perhaps in the singing of a choral masterwork, directed by a renowned conductor. For the aspiring artist, here was the opportunity to be heard by peers and to see, even meet, recognized performers. And here, within the NANM meetings, was a platform for the seasoned artist to perform. In short, by providing a critical mass of African-American musicians at its annual conventions and sustaining a network of communication throughout the year, NANM offered opportunities for growth as well as for fraternization with fellow musicians. NANM, Inc., since its inception, has provided encouragement and support to thousands of African American musicians, many of whom have become widely respected figures in music and have contributed significantly to American culture and music history. The organization has awarded scholarships to scores of talented young musicians throughout the country. A list of them would include such luminaries as Marian Anderson (first scholarship award recipient in 1919), William L. Dawson, Florence B. Price, Margaret Bonds, Warren George Wilson, James Frazier, Julia Perry, Grace Bumbry, Leon Bates, Joseph Joubert, Awadagin Pratt, and many, many others. Over the years, many international personalities have been presented in performances, including Lena Horne, Todd Duncan, John W. Work, R. Nathaniel Dett, Marian Anderson, Edward Boatner, Camille Nickerson, Clarence Cameron White, Margaret Bonds, Florence B. Price, Etta Moten, Betty Allen, Natalie Hinderas, Adele Addison, Kermit Moore, Simon Estes, George Shirley, Robert McFerrin, Shirley Verrett, Jessye Norman, Sanford Allen, Derek Lee Ragin, the Uptown String Quartet, Esther Hinds, Ruby Hinds, Wilhelmina Fernandez, the Hinds Sisters, William Warfield, Benjamin Matthews, the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Harolyn Blackwell, Billy Taylor, Delphin and Romain, Gregory Hopkins, and Martina Arroyo. Noted clinicians have included Carl Diton, Warner Lawson, Frederick Hall, Kemper Harreld, Wendell Whalum, Eileen Southern, Doris McGinty, Alain Locke, Grace Bumbry, Sylvia Olden Lee, James Cleveland, Raoul Abdul, Geneva Handy Southall, Sowah Mensah, Robert Ray, Willis Patterson, Roland Carter, Brazeal Dennard, Robert Harris, Shirley Verrett, and many other musicians, educators, scholars, and lovers of music who constitute the musical fabric of the organization. These include NANM’s Junior and Youth divisions, and Collegiate Branches, comprised of young artists and scholars from all over the country. These young people participate in workshops and are presented in performances throughout each annual meeting week. Mission Statement NANM promotes, preserves, and supports all genres of music created or performed by African Americans. PURPOSE * To assist in maintaining a world in which all people may live in peace and harmony. * To develop world-wide love and appreciation of traditional and contemporary Negro music. * To foster a larger public appreciation for education in good music as preparation for the advent of real Negro genius. * To encourage the use of Negro Folk Themes as a basis for compositions. * To resist the desecration of Negro spirituals. * To develop higher professional standards through lectures, conferences and conventions. * To promote the exchange of ideas and a spirit of fellowship among musicians. * To discover, encourage, and assist the cultivation of musical gifts among talented, deserving Negro youth through such activities as will extend the influence of music as a necessary and inspiring element in the life of the people. * To establish and maintain a fund for scholarships. Accomplishments and Program NANM provides assistance, performance opportunities and black cultural awareness to serious music students. Its concern is with all aspects of music performance, teaching, arts management, jazz, gospel, and varied musical interests of its members. NANM holds a national convention in a different city each year, offering a chance to participate in workshops, seminars, lectures and performances. NANM invites the professional artist, the educator, the student, the amateur, the lover of music – YOU – to become a part of this organization’s “PRIDE IN A CULTURAL HERITAGE.” YOUR membership in this organization will help to ensure that talented musicians, especially those of African descent, will always be included in the mainstream of the arts. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Charles Cannon
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Columbia College Chicago Member Since June 2009 |
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