Published: November 14, 2008 04:49 pm      

Ada student compositions performed at Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON D.C. — Classical music compositions of three Chickasaw students drew thunderous applause from music fans at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, Nov. 8. Compositions of Wyas Parker, Courtney Parchcorn and Kate Duty, all of Ada, were performed before a capacity crowd at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage as part of Classical Native.

Classical Native, now in its third year, is a series of recitals, chamber concerts, and discussions conducted by the National Museum of the American Indian.

In prior years, the event featured professional American Indian classical composers and musicians. This year organizers included student composers.

The Ambrosia Quartet, an accomplished and respected student string quartet from Philadelphia, performed the compositions at the Kennedy Center and at the NMAI.

The three Chickasaw students were selected for the unique opportunity for works they composed during the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy.

Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, said he is very pleased to see these young people have this kind of opportunity.

“One of our primary goals in developing the arts academy is to help students realize the range of opportunities available to them,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “This kind of experience can help them understand those opportunities are within reach and inspire these students, and others, to focus their energies in pursuit of their goals.”

Howard Bass, Cultural Arts Manager of the NMAI, helped organize the event. He said one important result of the event is the fact that professional composers are taking the time to teach.

“I think for these students to come here and see their work performed and hear audiences cheering and be in venues like the NMAI and the Kennedy Center, that provides them a sense of worth and validation,” said Bass.

Jerod Tate, a Chickasaw composer of classical music, has been involved with Classical Native since its inception. He has also served as an instructor at the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy. He said he chose these students because of the quality of their work.

“I think these are some of the more achieved students,” said Tate. “I believe they have the talent and the skill to go into music if that’s what they choose.

“The compositions are very fresh and very honest. I am finding this combination of young composers and a young quartet to be exciting,” he added.

Musicians and composers alike agreed that working with others their own added a new dimension to the music.

“It was easy to communicate with the musicians, because they were closer in age,” said Duty. “I think they really understood what I meant because they use the same slang and lingo.”

Madeline Smith, Cellist with the Ambrosia Quartet, said that the music was very different at first, but after they had played it a while they were having fun playing the music and had grown to appreciate the music and “the beautiful melodies.”

She added that having the chance to meet the composers and talk with them helped them understand what the composers had in mind.

“The music has a lot of emotion that deserves to be expressed,” she said.

Courtney Parchcorn’s mother, Francine Parchcorn, said that she felt the event had been a life changing experience for her daughter. “Her music, I know that it’s real, and to hear it played by here by such a talented quartet, it’s hard to describe, really,” said Mrs. Parchcorn with tears welling in her eyes.