By Adrianna Christmas | Administrator
GlobalGiving Quarterly Report: Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! After School
Stax Music Academy’s students have performed and participated in several community outreach initiatives in Memphis and are closing out the Spring Semester with a bang! Here are a few highlights:
Memphis Soul Celebrated at the White House
Stax Music Academy students attended one of the most unique opportunities to date, a celebration of Memphis Soul at the White House! SMA students participated in an interactive workshop entitled, “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul,” in the presence of Stax legends such as Mavis Staples and Sam Moore, as well as performing artists Ben Harper, Charlie Musslewhite, and Justin Timberlake. You can read more here.
Stax Music Academy makes national news:
The Stax Museum’s 10th anniversary program on May 2nd brought out the very private founder of Stax Records, Jim Stewart, for his first public appearance on the Stax campus. Stax Music Academy had the privilege of performing at the event, and garnered national news coverage. You can read about it here on Huffington Post, but the article is appearing in several newspapers across the country.
The 3rd Annual Stax to the Max Street Festival:
Day 1: “Stax Comes Home” As a wonderful prelude to the Stax to the Max Festival, Stax hosted a private intimate experience with 30 newscasters, journalists, and radio personalities from around the world. Sweden, Berlin, Birmingham, London, Barcelona, and more raved about the incredible likes of the Stax Music Academy! Legendary Stax artists and icons like Al Bell, Bettye Crutcher, William Bell, The Temprees, The Astors, Deanie Parker, and our very own, Kirk Whalum, also had the opportunity to view, critique, and be astonished at the growth of our young superstars. Former Stax artist, William Bell, stated,
“Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th 2013 reaffirmed for me, that indeed the contribution I have made at Stax Records and Soulsville U.S.A., will remain long after I am gone. The Saturday international and local press interviews and luncheon, and the performance by the Stax Academy Kids were unequalled validations that the soul music legacy is in good hands. Kudos to the kids, who brought us all to tears with their performances of Legendary Stax songs."
Day 2: Stax to the Max Street Festival All ensembles performed before crowds of thousands celebrating the 12th anniversary of Stax Music Academy and the 10th anniversary of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music! There were over 9,000 people in attendance throughout the day, and everyone who attended enjoyed outstanding music, great vendors, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Free live music featured our very own Kirk Whalum, Stax artists: William Bell, The Astors, The Temprees, and the Mad Lads, as well as ArtsMemphis performers.
The Stax Music Academy premiered its newest program of the Academy- the Junior Academy, the Jazz Band represented like never before, and the blazing energy of the Senior Academy continues to drive home the value of our mission and the reason why we do what we do- create agents of change through music.
Soul School Spring Break – “Guitar Workshop & 3rd Annual “Be the Band” Workshop:
The Les Paul “Reel Sound of Soul Music” workshop enjoyed its largest turnout to date with 4 complete bands. The bands were directed by four of Memphis’ finest musicians: Barry Campbell, Winston Stewart, Pat Register, and Jonathan Richmond. The winning band, Modern Soul, completed the workshop by recording Deanie Parkers 1963 tune, “My Imaginary Guy", and Beyonce’s 2013 Grammy award winning song, “Love On Top”, to analog tape at Memphis University School. See more here!
Welcome to Soulsville Webisode Series
This year's Webisode Series entitled, “Welcome to Soulsville,” covers Stax Music Academy’s preparation for their annual Black History Month production. "The Sacred Side of Soulsville,” was written and directed by Justin Merrick, the Academy's Vocal/Choreography Director. The production followed soul music's evolution from its roots in the African-American church, to the "juke joints" of the South, and the blues of the Mississippi Delta. The show also featured a special performance by former Stax gospel artist Bishop Rance Allen as well as a riveting performance by Deborah Manning.
In Summary…
These are merely a few rare and unique opportunities to mentor Memphis youth through music education and unique performance opportunities. Please continue to assist our efforts and know that your gift is being put to use, celebrating the soulful past—and securing the bright future—of this legendary ‘Soulsville’ community. Thanks for your generous support.
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