MEMBERSHIP

African Musical Arts Inc trains a local ensemble  of singers, drummers, and dancers to promote African music. Programs and activities are open to all people, regardless of age, race, ethnic, or religious background. Performing membership is strictly by auditions. (If you’re 18 and above please visit the audition page to sign up.) Non-performing membership also exists for persons interested in joining our growing number of volunteers, patrons, and friends.

Past productions include The Initiation, an operetta (July 1996); African Music Conference (October 1998); Hewale! Ceremonial Drums of Ghana (July 1999); Eritrea: In Song and Dance (October 1999, which aired to great acclaim on Eritrean national TV); Popular Songs of South Africa (November 1999); A E Na O: The Sacred Music of Harcourt-Whyte (Feb. & March 2000); Akin Euba’s CHAKA, an Opera in Two Chants (May 2000); A Cappella Africa: Chants & Responsorial (November 2000), the Festival of African & African American Music, presented annually around the world since 2001, and the much acclaimed AFRICAN CHORAL ODYSSEY SERIES which began in the 2002 Season.

 OUTREACH  & YOUTH EDUCATION

African Musical Arts Inc (formerly St. Louis African Chorus) provides a vibrant and dynamic avenue for artistic expression. Its programs have also become a resource for scholars and the general public to receive instruction and information about African, and the roots of African American art forms. Chris King writes in the Riverfront Times of  October 8, 1997:  "…Thanks to [the St. Louis African Chorus], we have here a local window on another world, an exciting and vast place…"  Michael Renner adds in his St. Louis Post Dispatch review of September 26, 1997:  "…Listening to both singers and drummers interact, we witnessed the origins of the call and response tradition used in jazz, blues and earlier, slave chants...” That the African Musical Arts is a unique organization is evident in its capacity as protem lead organization of the of the International Consortium for the Music of African and its Diaspora (ICMAD).

 OUT LOUD! is a multidisciplinary arts project for children for youth and children, ages 10-18, who meet weekly for after school instruction in choral music, percussion and dance. Programs are scheduled and implemented in collaboration with local community organizations who desire a program centered on African music and culture. Through the African Music for Community Healing ® the African Musical Arts organization schedules mini-concerts and culturally enriching events in nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities.

Chris King writes in the Riverfront Times of October 8, 1997: "…Thanks to [the St. Louis African Chorus], we have here a local window on another world, an exciting and vast place…" Michael Renner adds in his St. Louis Post Dispatch review of September 26, 1997: "…Listening to both singers and drummers interact, we witnessed the origins of the call and response tradition used in jazz, blues and earlier, slave chants...” Gary Scott, reviewing the CHAKA opera on KDHX Radio, said: “... this production was a work of bi-racial harmony and, perhaps in a strange way, healing. We saw on stage that our histories are now inextricably combined...”

Our capacity to undertake ambitious projects with limited resources has surpassed all expectations. Fiscal responsibility is ensured by quarterly financial review and annual audits conducted by an independent accounting firm. (A copy of every Audit Report is available for public scrutiny at the Grand Center office.) Your tax-deductible contributions support a progressive and dynamic vision, and every penny is put to good use at the African Musical Arts organization.