StillWaters

PERFORMANCES

Celebrate

Promote

Preserve

Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia

of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

Youth Ensemble / Orchestra

DYNAMIC DANCE FESTIVAL, INC.

Atlanta's Premier

Black Dance Festival

STILL WATERS --The Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia of Metropolitan Atlanta was formed and founded on June 25, 1990 when it held its first rehearsal and parents meeting at McNair Junior High School in Decatur, Georgia. The Orchestra was originally called the William Grant Still Memorial Youth Orchestra of Metropolitan Atlanta, named in honor of the late, William Grant Still (1895-1978) who was known as the Dean of Black Composers. The Orchestra is under the direction of its founder, David E. Robinson, III, who teaches string orchestra in the Dekalb County School System (Georgia), assisted by (his wife) Alycia W. Robinson (who directs the Orchestra’s new Dance Troupe). The staff has other certified teachers and professional musicians. The Orchestra consists of serious, young talented instrumental music and dance students from the various public and private schools throughout Metropolitan Atlanta. Although students must have some formal music or dance instruction and experience in order to become eligible for membership, beginning instruction may be available at the beginning of the school-year and the summer. Members come together to rehearse and perform various types of music such as standard orchestra literature (baroque, classical, symphonic, etc.), jazz, spiritual, gospel, ragtime, calypso, reggae, bluegrass/country, folk, motion picture soundtrack excerpts, and Top-40: rock, rhythm & blues, “hip-hop”/urban contemporary, classic oldies, and so on. The Orchestra also performs rare works by black composers such as William Grant Still, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence Price, and Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia is a tribute to such composers.

The Orchestra’s fundamental purpose is to give talented, young instrumentalists an opportunity to perform a variety of multicultural music, become more proficient musicians (in an environment where there are no auditions), travel, meet other young musicians, prepare to earn college music scholarships, and, perhaps, consider careers in symphony orchestras and/or music education. The Orchestra is always growing but can always use more of all instruments: Strings (violin, viola, ‘cello, double bass, and harp), Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone), Brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba), and Percussion (snare/bass drum, tympani, trap set, mallets, and so on). The Orchestra’s newly-formed Dance Troupe that dances with the Orchestra offers advanced instruction in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, etc. During the school year the Orchestra holds classes and rehearsals on Saturday mornings, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Providence Missionary Baptist Church (2295 Benjamin E. Mays Dr. SW) and Monday evenings, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at McNair Senior High School (1804 Bouldercrest Rd. SE).

The Orchestra has a parents group that offers support through fundraisers, trip planning, public relations, cultural enrichment, scholarship sources, membership recruitment, and so on. This group is called the Highway One Symphonic Society. It is also open to others who wish to offer support to the Orchestra in any way (sponsorship, advertising, mentoring, instructional materials, finding used instruments to donate, etc.). The Orchestra members are active members of the Kemper Harreld Youth Branch of the Metropolitan Atlanta Musicians Association (MAMA) of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), Inc. The Orchestra takes part in the annual NANM Conference. The Orchestra is a 501 c 3/non-profit organization.

Many former members are active (or have been active) in numerous programs in which many receive(d) scholarships to colleges/universities, other summer music programs, and the like. Some current members are also in other enrichment orchestra programs such as the Talent Development Program of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, All-State, Governor’s Honors, and other honor-type orchestras. The Orchestra has an Alumni Auxiliary for former students and other adults who wish to pick up their instruments once again for their enjoyment (those who have not played in a while) as well as mentor to the students. The Orchestra began as a summer camp and later expanded into a school year-round program. It has plans to expand into a national summer music camp to receive more students from various parts of the U.S. (and the world).

Membership in the Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia is open to any young musician who seriously wishes to become more proficient on his/her instrument, enjoys performing a variety of multicultural music, meeting other young musicians, and would like to travel. Students that live out-of-town are also welcomed to commute to take part.

The Orchestra has traveled to the following cities to take part in music conventions, workshops, and festivals: Norfolk, VA (twice), Chicago, IL, St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, Oakland/San Francisco, CA, Dallas, TX, Newark, NJ, Detroit, MI (twice), Philadelphia, PA, Las Vegas, NV, Houston, TX, Denver, CO, Fort Pierce, FL, Winston-Salem, NC, Raleigh, NC, Landover, MD, New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, St. Louis, MO, Chattanooga, TN, Birmingham (twice) and Tuskegee, AL and Keysville, Sparta, Wrens, Macon (twice), Fort Valley, Albany, and LaGrange, GA. The Orchestra took its first international trip to Ghana, West Africa in June 2001. A return-trip is being planned for the near future. They will also travel to Las Vegas, NV in July 2007 for the NANM Conference. Tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, corporations, and grants can be made to Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia and mailed at the address above. For membership information and bookings (receptions, banquets, musicals, weddings, family reunions, conventions, out-of-town tours, etc.), please call (404) 328-0840 or send an e-mail message to stillwaters690@yahoo.com

STILL WATERS YOUTH SINFO-NIA

of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

David E. Robinson, III, Founder and Director

2295 Benjamin E. Mays Dr. SW | Atlanta, GA 30311

(404) 328-0840

E-mail: stillwaters690@yahoo.com

Vision Statement

Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia is a culturally diverse, global leader in orchestral music for young people.

We nurture, support, and empower excellence through musical training and continuing education. Still Water Youth Sinfo-Nia conducts concerts nationally and internationally.

Our musicians compete for not only music scholarships at the college level but also compete for positions in major symphony orchestras around the world.

By 2005, we will have a comprehensive performing arts facility with an endowment of at least $5 million.

Core Values

We bring joy, hope and inspiration to the human spirit

We foster an environment that promotes self-affirmation and personal and professional development

We enhance the development of future leaders in the communities in which we serve

We are focused on youth

We produce a diverse array of high quality orchestral music

We empower our youth to achieve higher standards

We recognize our youth’s achievement, merit, participation and professionalism

We provide musical outreach to the world