Mother of late Jazz Violinist Noel Pointer Celebrates her Farewell Performance
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Posted by: eJazzNews Readeron Friday, February 22, 2008 - 09:46 AM |
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Contact: Theresa O'Neal
917-583-9832
718-306-1078
91-Year Old Living Black History Legend, Louvinia Pointer Celebrates
Her Great Day Chorale Farewell Performance of The Negro Spiritual at Christian Cultural Center, Friday, February 22, 2008
NEW YORK, NY, February 14, 2008 - Christian Cultural Center (CCC) will host the final farewell performance of a living black history legend, Ms. Louvinia G. Pointer on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 7:30 pm. This free event will be open to the public at Christian Cultural Center, located at 12020 Flatlands Avenue, in Brooklyn, New York. The evening will be hosted by journalist Julian Phillips. There will be special tributes by Rev. A.R. Bernard, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and performances by the CCC Performing Arts Ministry, and the Francine Ott Dance Troop.
ABOUT LOUVINIA POINTER
When Noel Coward heard Louvinia's voice he wrote a part for her to sing in his musical "Set To Music," starring Beatrice Lillie. This was her introduction to the Broadway stage. After that she appeared with Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontaine in "The Pirate", and broadways production of "Green Pastures". Highly esteemed among her peers as a singer, teacher and choral conductor, her successful career includes work with some of the country's outstanding teachers including Rosalie Miller, Samuel Margolis, Sarah Lee, Modena Scoval, and her long-time friend, coach and accompanist, the late Sylvia Olden Lee.
Louvinia's exceptional work as choral director of the National Youth Administration Radio Workshop won praise from notables such as Harry T. Burleigh, Fritz Mahler, Robert Hufstadder, Hall Johnson, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. She was a great inspiration to her very own children, especially the late Noel Pointer, the award-winning, classically trained violinist, who was celebrated for his enormous contributions to the world of jazz.
Louvinia took her love of music to the New York City school system, where for many years she was privileged to share her love of music and teaching gifts with the children of New York City. She taught in Public School 21, Lefferts Junior High School, Girls High and Tilden High Schools. During her twenty-six years teaching, she received numerous awards for her outstanding work.
Now retired, Mrs. Pointer is committed to the revival and preservation of the "Negro Spiritual". Her dream of establishing an organization to preserve the Negro Spiritual became a reality in 1987 when The Great Day Chorale was formed. Now in its 20th season, the group, through the positive messages of these songs, has been an inspiration to listeners everywhere.
ABOUT THE NEGRO SPIRITUAL
One of the best ways to learn about a people is through the study of their art. It is through their art that people reveal their inner feelings without restraint. In our quest to identify those qualities the American slaves possessed, that enabled them to endure such hardships, cruelty, and dehumanization and yet emerge as rational, functional beings, we must, I believe, examine their music, the Negro Spiritual. The simple beauty of these songs makes them ageless. Although they were birthed by a people who could neither read nor write, they embody all the elements of the greatest compositions ever written. A study of the Negro Spirituals dispels many of the negative myths about the slave. Sharing our findings through the performance of the spirituals is sure to help gain the respect of others for slaves and their descendants.
Just as the slaves received strength to persevere and overcome, it is my hope that the messages found in these songs will give people of all races, creeds, and stations in life the determination to rise above whatever holds them in bondage.
"Very early I realized my gift was music and as the years progressed, I felt my purpose was to share this gift with excellence, honesty and integrity. For the past 70 years I have been sharing my gift of music with all who would listen ", relayed Ms. Pointer.
ABOUT THE GREAT DAY CHORALE
Teachers, transit workers, court secretaries, postal workers, nurses, dieticians and a host of other professionals from the New York metropolitan area came together to be members of the Great Day Chorale. Through Ms. Pointer's formation and direction of the Great Day Chorale audiences across the country and abroad have come to know how through this God inspired music Negro slaves were able to survive those dark days of slavery.
"For the past twenty years I have dedicated myself to preserving the true folk songs of Black Americans, the Negro Spiritual. It is with both joy and a heavy heart that I announce the farewell performance of the Great Day Chorale. It will be a joyous celebration of the unconquerable spirit of a resilient people," shared Ms. Pointer.
For press inquiries, contact Theresa O'Neal at 917-583-9832. For more information about Christian Cultural Center, visit the website at www.cccinfo.org or call 718-306-1000.
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