Posted on Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 5 p.m.
River Raisin Ragtime Revue, soprano Anita Johnson present Black History Month concert
By AnnArbor.com Staff
The River Raisin Ragtime Review teamed up with Metropolitan Opera soprano Anita Johnson — an Ypsilanti native and University of Michigan graduate —Â for a special Black History Month concert on Sunday afternoon at the First Congregational Church in Ann Arbor.
Photographer Melanie Maxwell captured these images:
Comments
Sooze
Mon, Feb 14, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
That review was a bit terse so I'll add a few details: The church was packed with over 300 listeners, The River Raisin Ragtime Revue (R4) was energetic, Anita was exceptional with a talent that is just starting to be recognized, the large chorus from the Congregational Church and Our Own Thing was professional, Anita's step-father William Hayes' arrangement of the encore "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" with all hands on deck was spectacular (big standing ovation). R4 was founded about 10 years old and has gotten national recognition for its excellent musicianship and the well-researched commentary of William Pemberton, its executive director. Catch R4 in April playing more traditional ragtime (see their website for details) and at Greenfield Village on July 4th with the DSO and on July 17th for the Ragtime Street Fair. The group was founded in Tecumseh but the musicians come from all over southeastern Michigan with impressive credentials, a great local treasure.