The Young Eight Black College Tour is one of the many exciting events the group will embark on in the 2006-2007 season. Visiting historically Black colleges and universities in the United States gives the members of The Young Eight opportunities to perform Classical music for our peers, communicate our passion for all types of music and other art forms, and share our entrepreneurial vision with college students who will be our future artists and businesspeople.
It is equally thrilling for us because we have formulated residency programs that will allow us to reach out to entire communities where these colleges and universities are located. With our residency programs, we aim to bring our talents and personal experiences, which have brought about the growth of The Young Eight, to young and mature audiences.
The touring season will be held during two weeks in November 2006 and two weeks in April 2007. Each college or university we visit is offered a formal concert and up to two residency programs which may be held on the campus or at grade schools or corporations affiliated with the college or university.
Our formal concerts include Classical string octets by Mendelssohn, Gade, and Shostakovich, commissioned pieces especially written for The Young Eight, arrangements of hip hop and jazz, and the possibility of performing with student and faculty musicians and/or spoken word artists on each campus.
Our residency programs include excerpt programs of our formal concerts with Q&A sessions; instrumental/chamber music master classes; seminars and lecture-demonstrations on topics such as professionalism and entrepreneurship in the arts; and student participation programs such as movement classes and spoken word workshops featuring music collaboration with The Young Eight members.
Our mission for the Black College Tour is to make students in grade schools and colleges, mainly those of African descent, aware that we are out in the world, making a name for ourselves, always striving for excellence, and exploring ways in which to better the communities that resemble the ones where we grew up. Our goal is to communicate that if you have a dream, a drive, and a vision that any- and everything is possible.
For booking or more information, please contact Tahirah Whittington, Black College Tour Coordinator at Tahirahw@netzero.com
The Young Eight Black College Tour FAQ’s
When is The Young Eight Black College Tour?
We have designated the last two weeks of November 2006 and the first two weeks of April 2007 as our tour dates. It is possible for colleges and universities to propose months and dates outside of those four weeks in November 2006 and April 2007. Depending on the individual schedules of The Young Eight members, we will try to accommodate those requests. Some presenters that we’ve been in touch with have already requested dates during the 2005-2006 season and we are happy to oblige. Once we have a working itinerary, we will post our performance dates on our website.
How are HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) picked to be a part of the Y8 Black College Tour?
Starting in the 2004-05 season, we contacted prospective HBCU’s via email and phone, informing heads of Music Departments, directors of Lyceum series, administrators of student activities, professors, and other contacts in which we had past working relationships about our upcoming tour to stir interest. Those prospective presenters at each higher learning institution are given the opportunity to contact us directly to set up dates and specify programs that The Young Eight will offer on their campus. If you are interested in having The Young Eight come to your campus and was not sent the email mentioned above, we invite you to contact us to get the ball rolling. You’re welcome to contact Tahirah Whittington at tahirahw@netzero.com
Why have you decided to contact prospective presenters at HBCU’s so far in advance before the 2006-2007 season?
We understand that it is a timely endeavor to schedule and negotiate an event such as our tour, so we’ve given schools ample time to raise funds, schedule dates, and gain interest in their communities on- and off-campus.
Which schools have already shown an interest in the tour?
We’ve had the pleasure to hear from Fisk University, South Carolina State University, and North Carolina A&T University among others.
Are you only visiting colleges and universities during your tour?
We are extending our tour invitation to grade schools and corporate institutions affiliated with HBCU’s. We’re also interested in performing at community centers, spiritual institutions, galleries, museums, and other venues that may not be associated with HBCU’s but have a tie with the African-American communities in the United States.
What type of transportation will The Young Eight members use while on tour?
Since there are quite a number of us plus two large instruments, the best way for us to get from venue to venue is by flying. Once we are at our destinations, we either rent vehicles or make arrangements with each presenter for ground transportation.
What type of living accommodations will The Young Eight members utilize while on tour?
Presenters may provide hotel rooms, bed and breakfast accommodations, or campus housing equivalent to faculty houses or campus hotel (no dorm rooms please). At this time, we do not accept host family accommodations.
Does The Young Eight allow photographs taken during performances?
Yes we do – during our formal full-length performance, pictures may be taken only in between musical selections while we are bowing and at the end of our performance. During our residency programs, one may take pictures at any time but be aware that flash photography hinders our sight on stage. If you would like a photo opportunity before or after a performance, we would appreciate your scheduling it with Tahirah Whittington (tahirahw@netzero.com) in advance, but we do oblige our audience members for spur-of-the-moment opportunities.
Does The Young Eight have an agent that handles their PR materials?
Yes we do – Our agent is Jeffrey James, President of Jeffrey James Arts Consulting in New York. His contact information is (516) 586-3433 tele./fax, email: jamesarts@worldnet.att.net and website address is www.jamesarts.com
