COVER STORYBrainerd Blyden-TaylorSHARING OUR NATIONAL DETTBy Colin EatockThe Nathaniel Dett Chorale is no stranger to prominentpeople and occasions: over its ten-year history,the Toronto-based choir has sung at events honouringNelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Mohammed Ali.But last month's engagements in Washington DC werein many ways unprecedented, thrusting the group ontothe world stage."We were pleased and flattered by the invitations,"said the choir's director, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor (withunderstated delight), shortly before his choir sang atthe festivities surrounding Barack Obama 's inauguration."We not only represent Afrocentric music, butalso a kind of diversity that's responsive to Obama 'sideas about community and coming together. "The only Canadian musical group to take part in theinauguration events, the choir performed on January19 (Martin Luther King Day) at the Smithsonian Institution'sMuseum of the American Indian. On January20 - the day of Obama 's inauguration - the choir sanga concert at the Canadian Embassy.I FIRST HEARD the Nathaniel Dett Choraleabout a year ago, in rehearsal at St. Timothy'sAnglican Church. In many ways, thiswas a typical choir rehearsal, as the conductor,Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, coaxed a longerline from one section and a more pronounceddotted-rhythm from another.However, it was obvious from the brightfocus of the voices that this group of 21singers is no amateur choir. And the repertoirethey were singing was unusual: Hiawatha'sWedding Feast, by the 19th-centuryAfro-British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. As well, the ensemble has a distinctiveappearance: it's the only professionalchoir in Canada made up largely (but notentirely) of singers of African descent.A few days later, the 55-year-old Trinidad-bornconductor talked to me about hischoir over lunch. He's clearly proud of howhis group has developed - but he also notesthat his reasons for creating the NathanielDett Chorale haven't changed since itsfounding, a decade ago."The idea was to do more that just singnotes wel l. There was also a social componentto it - to build bridges of caring, understandingand appreciation through the mediumof music. And we wanted to do thatwithin what is perceived to be the largerblack community. When I started it, I decidedthat I didn't want to name the group aftermyself - I wanted a name that would honourblack Canadian heritage somehow."So who was Nathaniel Dett? According tothe Encyclopedia of Music in Canada, he wasborn near Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1882.He studied music in the USA (where he spentmost of his life) , and in 1925 went to Paris toreceive instruction from the famous musicalpedagogue Nadia Boulanger. Returning toAmerica, Dett established himself as a distinguishedorganist, composer and teacher,who performed in Carnegie Hall and forF EBRUARY 1 - MARCH 7 2009The Nathaniel Dett Chorale performs on the steps of the Canadian Embassyoverlooking the beginning of U.S. President Barack Obama 's Inaugural parade.~ason & T!)amlinDiscover whyMason & Hamlin pianosare referred to as"The World's Finest",,RRESTRICTED TOLimited Production built by handusing only the finest materialsFor an appointment to see and play Canada's largest selection(all models !) of new Mason & Hamlin grand pianos you are invitedto call 1-866-631-6696 or email willem@masonhamlin.caWWW. THEWHOLENOTE.COMwww.masonhamlin.ca
