International Consortium for Music of Africa and its Diaspora

New Market for Composers of African Origin or Descent

Just Released!

African Art Music for Flute, new CD by Wendy Hymes (flute) and Darryl Hollister (piano)

Sounding Board

ICMAD, the International Consortium for Music of Africa & its Diaspora, is an umbrella organization for composers, performers, scholars and promoters who have identified a common responsibility to recognize and preserve cultural heritage, and to develop tools and opportunities for people to transform heritage into contemporary expression...
-Retha Louise Hofmeyr, Windhoek, Namibia.

Our strength as a consortium rests not only upon collaboration and cooperation among the present generation of the musicians of Africa and its Diaspora, but also on developing and building the strengths of succeeding generations..
-Akin Euba, Pittsburgh, PA.

...Friends, I feel Africa is all inclusive - Africans, African-Americans, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Europeans, Afro-Latinos, and all other peoples of African origin or descent... Yes, we have dispersed to every corner of the globe, some by choice and many by force... With ICMAD we have an opportunity to lift up the accomplishments of all who called and call themselves African.
-Lucius Weathersby, New Orleans, LA.

I believe that there is very much scope for us to work together and exchange information... This is one of the most cutting-edge groups of scholars, performers, musicians, promoters... Our ideas can grow and flower, but the focus must stay clear: to encourage performances, broadcasts and recordings of the music of all worthy composers (living or deceased) of African origin or descent. -Mike Wright, Surrey, UK.

Objectives of the Consortium

To promote visibility and expand markets and audiences for all composers of African descent, and for other scholars and educators who advocate and promote African and African-American music, composition and performance;

To develop an audience among the youth in our communities for the music of Africa and the Diaspora, through education and live performance;

To provide facilities for the training of younger generations in the fields of composition, performance, scholarship, promotion, marketing and other areas that touch upon the art of music;

To educate the public about all musical genres identifiable in our constituencies;

To provide institutional and other support for the Consortium in a university or other conducive environment and establish affiliates with other universities, colleges and institutions;

To establish a major annual event or identify with an existing one in any part of the world that will attract Consortium members for scholarly presentations, seminars, workshops, master-classes, choral & instrumental competitions, concerts, etc., covering all genres of African and Diaspora-African music;

And, to publish a major periodical devoted to the music of Africa and the Diaspora.

Membership

Membership in the Consortium is open to all individuals, organizations, institutions, and the general public. Call + 1 314 652 6800 or send email to icmad@africanchorus.org

Trustees

Wallace Cheatham, Retha Louise Hofmeyr, Cynthia Tse Kimberlin, Fred Onovwerosuoke, Judith Anne Still, Lucius Weathersby, Mike Wright.
Honorary Trustees: Prof. J.H. Kwabena Nketia, Prof Halim El-Dabh, Maestro Julius Karr-Bertoli, Leo Sarkisian, Dominique de Lerma
Pro Tem Director: Fred Onovwerosuoke ("FredO")

Contact

International Consortium for Music of Africa & its Diaspora
3547 Olive Street, Suite 110
St. Louis, MO 63103
Tel: +1 314 652 6800
Email: icmad@africanchorus.org