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June 1, 2003

CMCH to honor Houston Symphony Orchestra's first African-American musician, celebrate Black Music Month 

 "Flutist Judy Dines leaves Houston for music career in France"

Community Music Center of Houston (CMCH) is sponsoring a benefit concert in honor of Flutist Judy Dines' accomplishments as being the first African-American performer with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, and to celebrate Black Music Month.  Dines, who has performed with the Houston Symphony Orchestra for 11 years, is leaving Houston to pursue a music career in France. The benefit concert takes place, Sunday, June 22, 2003, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Fusion Cafe - 2442 Times Blvd. in Rice Village.  City of Houston Councilwoman Ada Edwards, District D is the honorary chairperson.

"It is our distinct honor to recognize Judy Dines and to celebrate the accomplishments of African-American musicians during Black Music Month," said Gary Wilkins, executive director of the Community Music Center of Houston (CMCH).  "This is our third year celebrating Black Music Month.  Our goal is to create an awareness, and present the different music genres of African-American classical music and opera."

Guests will enjoy performances and musical selections of Dines and special guest, jazz artist composer/arranger, flutist/saxophonist Horace Alexander Young.  There will be remarks from Anne Lundy, CMCH's music director and Councilwoman Edwards. Dines is looking forward to performing at the benefit, and says performing with the Houston Symphony Orchestra for the past 11 years "was the best part of my experience as a musician." "It has been a very enjoyable experience performing with the Houston Symphony Orchestra," Dines said.  "I will miss them greatly."

Tickets for the June 22 event are  $50, and $250 for a reserved table.  To purchase tickets, or for additional sponsorship opportunities contact CMCH at 713-523-9710.  Proceeds will benefit CMCH, which helps support and underwrite programs for performing arts and education.
About CMCH Community Music Center of Houston?a non-profit performing arts and education center, founded in 1979?has a long history in presenting shows to the general community of Houston including the annual Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.  The organization has produced shows in all genres of music including classical, R&B, jazz, blues, gospel and big band.  The larger, more far-reaching shows have been presented at Miller Outdoor Theatre reaching large diverse crowds.  In partnership with Miller Outdoor Theatre, CMCH has produced three outstanding shows-Shake, Rattle & Roll: A '50s Rock 'n' Roll Revue, featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Coasters, the Music of Motown Revue and Conrad Johnson's Tribute to Women in Jazz.

The History of Black Music Month

Black Music Month, created in 1978, was the brainchild of producer/composer Kenny Gamble and broadcast executive Ed Wright.  Gamble was one-half of the renowned production team Gamble and Huff, and the founder of the famous Philly International Records, the label credited with inventing the legendary "Philly Sound" of the mid and late 70s.

Gamble had already founded the Philadelphia Music Foundation, which honored and recognized musicians from his hometown.  The Black Music Association expanded that concept, aiming to support the honor, preservation and advancement of black music on a global scale.  The association, which drew from all areas of the black music business, artistic as well as business and communications, saw the establishment of a Black Music Month as part of its overall program.

The month of June was first declared Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter in 1979.  In June 2002, President George W. Bush affirmed June as Black Music Month in a proclamation, stating, "I call on all Americans of all backgrounds to learn more about the rich heritage of black music and how it has shaped our culture and our way of life, and urge them to take the opportunity to enjoy the great musical experiences available through the contributions of African-American music."


Judy Dines - Background

Judy Dines, the first African-American member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra, graduated with a Bachelor?s of Music degree in Performance from Temple University in May 1991, and studied for her master?s degree with Robert Willoughby at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. She was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra?s Youth Fellowship Program, an orchestral training program for high school musicians from 1987-87. She has appeared twice as a soloist with the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, and from 1983-1987 was the principal flutist with the D.C. Youth Orchestra.  Ms. Dines has performed with the Houston Symphony Orchestra since 1996.