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| Rachel Jordan to perform in honor of President-elect Obama The Jackson State University Chamber Orchestra, led by conductors, Dr. Robert Blaine (Director of Orchestral Studies) and Ms. Rachel Jordan (Director of Strings) has been selected by the Congressional Black Foundation's to perform during the CBCF Religious Service in honor of President-elect Barack Obama and Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. The Religious Service will be held at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, 1518 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. New Orleans' violinist Rachel Jordan will perform a solo of "The Lark Ascending" by Ralf Vaughan Williams during the praise and worship portion of the service and the JSU Chamber Orchestra will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during the service. South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu will present the keynote address. Jordan, a Professor of Music at Jackson State University has served as adjunct faculty at Xavier University, Southern University, and Dillard University. She has been a member of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans. Ms. Jordan received both her Bachelor of Music and her Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland where she studied with the great Berl Sernofsky. Following hurricane Katrina, Jordan performed with her siblings during the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert. Rachel also performs on and is the executive producer of the Marlon Jordan Featuring Stephanie Jordan CD titled "You Don't Know What Love Is." In addition, Ms. Jordan co-manages J Group Consulting, a family run music management entity. Rachel has been a featured performer in numerous solo recitals, most notable the Kennedy Center, the Mozart Festival in Salzburg, Austria, the Music Center of Houston and the Mozart Festival in Washington, D.C. While at Dillard University, Rachel started the Jesse Dent Recital series, which features African American Musicians performing classical music. She also produces the annual "Jazz meets Classical" chamber music series sponsored by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the University of New Orleans, a fully staged concert by the Music Alive ensemble which combines jazz and classical music. Rachel is the fifth performer from a family of New Orleans bred musicians. She is the daughter of saxophonist Edward "Kidd" Jordan. Siblings include flutist Kent, trumpeter Marlon, and vocalist Stephanie Jordan. The JSU Chamber Orchestra has also been invited to perform at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Washington Inter-Alumni Council's 26th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration. This event will take place earlier that morning at 8:30 a.m. at Martin's Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The featured Keynote Speaker for this event will be Glenn F. Ivey, State's Attorney, Prince George's County. For ticket information please contact either Juanita Cooper at 202-635-1957 or Sharon Goodman at 703-205-3504. Robert Blaine, conductor, soloist and scholar, balances diverse artistic worlds with agility and aplomb. Serving as Music Director of Opera South, Artistic Director of the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra, host of the television program, "Music Art" broadcast on the COLOURS Network in Jackson, Mississippi, and Associate Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Studies at Jackson State University, Robert Blaine is in great demand through his multifaceted career. Active as an international conductor and soloist, Dr. Blaine has led ensembles in performances in China, Central America, the Caribbean, and throughout North America. An active soloist, Robert has premiered several works for trombone. His most recent solo performances have included appearances with the U. S. Army Orchestra "Pershing's Own", China National Conservatory Orchestra of Beijing, China Central Television (CCTV3), the National Symphony of the Dominican Republic, and numerous recital series. Robert has held orchestral positions with the National Symphony of the Dominican Republic, Bastille Opera Inaugural Orchestra, Charleston (SC) Symphony and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and has served on the faculties of the National Conservatory of the Dominican Republic, Nazareth College, SUNY Geneseo, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the Eastman School of Music. Holding degrees from Indiana University, the Catholic University of America, and the Eastman School of Music, Robert is an endorsing artist of the C. G. Conn Company and performs on Conn instruments exclusively. Committed to the highest level of musical performance, the Jackson State University Chamber Orchestra provides an experience of artistic excellence and remarkable versatility of musical styles. Performing a myriad of works from the orchestral repertoire, ranging from Bach to Ellington and Adams to Wagner, the JSU Chamber Orchestra rewards audiences with the full spectrum of orchestral performance. Featuring an orchestral season of major repertoire concerts, televised concert broadcasts on the program Music Art, a student Concerto/Aria Competition, Music in the Schools and additional community and campus performances, the Chamber Orchestra seeks to give students a solid foundation for their professional careers. The JSU Chamber Orchestra is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students from throughout the United States and abroad. Through a challenging yet nurturing setting, students learn the discipline of preparation and study, which provides a foundation for their future success. Entering as talented youth, graduates of the program emerge as complete professionals, employing their skills as artists, educators and accomplished practitioners in virtually every discipline offered at Jackson State University. Members of the JSU Chamber Orchestra are; Andrew Dillon, Jasmine Gaddy, Jerome Hawkins, Kim Shields, Ricketa Harvey, Melissa Hart, Candace Davis, Christopher Crump, LaCora Franklin, Peshia Larry, Nicole Williams, Kelly Shields, Timila Echols, Courtland Saxon, Tori Thompson, Veronica Cleveland, and Kenny Bean. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |