The Atlanta University Center Symphony Orchestra (AUCSO) is the only symphony orchestra in the world where the gifts, promise, and power of students across three historically Black educational institutions merge into breathtaking harmony. Rising musicians from across the Atlanta University Center grow to learn that joining the AUCSO is not only about honing their technical musical abilities, but where they will develop real-world skills in preparation for their futures. On November 18th, this distinguished group will present its Fall Concert, “Vivaldi: Fire & Ice,” led by AUCSO Director Dr. Alvoy Bryan Jr. This event will feature orchestral students from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, as well as Dr. Tami Lee Hughes, a violin instructor at Spelman College, and several other AUC students and faculty.
As a soloist, Dr. Tami Lee Hughes has appeared with numerous symphony orchestras across the United States, including the National Symphony, the Monroe Symphony, the Mississippi Symphony, and the Pontiac-Oakland Symphony, among others. She has extensively appeared as a recitalist in universities and concert venues in the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, and Bermuda. She has performed as a solo or chamber artist in the Ann Arbor Chamber Fest, Natchez Festival of Music, Ritz Chamber Players Concert Series, and a tribute concert to composer Judith Zaimont, broadcast on National Public Radio, according to Spelman College. An artist of versatility, Hughes has numerous performance credits in popular music, film and television. In addition to performing, she is an active teacher and advocate for music outreach.
Also featured in the concert will be Vivaldi’s Concerto in G Minor for Two Violoncellos, Strings, and Bass Continuo RV 531. According to Bryan, this piece will feature the principal and assistant principal cellist of the AUCSO, Sage Lima-Jefferies (Spelman College) and Tavares Baker (Morehouse College). He chose this piece to highlight students Sage and Tavares’ great abilities as cellists and considers this piece the “Fire” of the Fire & Ice theme.
According to Bryan, “This entire concert will show the collaboration between students and faculty at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. We hope this free concert will inspire patrons in the audience to donate to the AUCSO Annual Fund so the AUCSO can continue to bring in other Black professional artists to perform with AUCSO in the near future.”
The event will be held, Tuesday, November 18th, at 7:00 p.m. at Morehouse College, Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, Emma and Joe Adams Concert Hall, 900 West End Ave. SW Atlanta GA 30310. Free tickets are available here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/LvI/. Entrance is free and donations are also being accepted to boost the orchestra’s overall efforts. For more information about the AUCSO, please visit: https://aucsorchestra.org/
About the AUCC
The Atlanta University Center Consortium, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia, formed in 1929 to operate on behalf of its member institutions–Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College—is the world’s oldest and largest association of historically Black colleges and universities. The Consortium is a vibrant intellectual community with a long tradition of scholarship, service, and community engagement.
