Colour of Music Festival Inc., the country’s largest black classical music organization headquartered in Charleston SC showcasing gifted classical principals, composers, and performers of African descent, is proud to announce its début performance at the North Charleston Arts Fest. The event takes place at the Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel (on the former Charleston Naval Base), 1096 Navy Way, North Charleston, SC Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. Online registration is required as space is limited. www.colourofmusic.org/event/nchs-5-4-23 with promo code NCHS2023.

The performance will feature three premieres by North Charleston-born composer Edmund Thornton Jenkins, the father of Black classical music for the low country. The quintet compositions were arranged by Jenkins’ great-nephew, Tuffus Zimbabwe, keyboardist for Saturday Night Live, and includes Negro Symphony (Movements IV Parts 3&4) and Reverie Fantasy. The evening will also feature Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s String Sextet in D minor "Souvenir de Florence," Op. 70 and Antonín Dvo?ák’s American String Quartet.

On Wednesday, May 3, at 12 p.m. Zimbabwe will offer a ‘Lite Lunch’ presentation of Jenkin’s compositions hosted by the Charleston Library Society. Learn the insider's history of quintet compositions and insights into the cultural and historical relevance of this family's imprint on classical music via Charlestonia, a musical tribute to Charleston. Tickets: $25 members; $35 guests includes a boxed lunch. www.colourofmusic.org or (843) 723-9912.

“Edmund Thornton Jenkins was an extraordinary talent whose extensive classical contributions has acquired more interest after the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. His composition Charlestonia: A Folk Rhapsody was among the first the Colour of Music Festival débuted during our inaugural year (2013). We are honored to present his music in North Charleston where he received musical training at Jenkins Orphanage,” said Lee Pringle, Founder and Artistic Director, Colour of Music Festival.

“The City of North Charleston is very excited to welcome our first Colour of Music performance as part of our annual North Charleston Arts Fest. Featuring this performance in such an intimate setting is a wonderful way for Colour of Music fans both old and new to enjoy this historic event,” says Kyle Lahm, North Charleston Cultural Arts Director.

About the Colour of Music Festival

Based in Charleston, South Carolina and organized in 2013, the Colour of Music Festival, Inc. presents a diverse classical repertoire of baroque, classical, and 20th century music at the highest of musical standards to diverse audiences throughout the low country, regionally, and nationally. The Festival has also presented in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, Houston, TX, Nashville, TN, New York City, Richmond, VA, Pittsburgh, PA, Columbia, SC, Sacramento, CA, and Tulsa, OK. www.colourofmusic.org

The Colour of Music Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Colour of Music Festival is also named one of South Arts’ Southern Cultural Treasures, a program made possible with support from the Ford Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.

About the North Charleston Arts Fest

The North Charleston Arts Fest features five days of events highlighting regional and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Literature. Residents and visitors are invited to experience a diverse array of free performances, exhibitions, and activities in a variety of venues, including libraries, businesses, community centers, and parks. The festival schedule offers something for everyone, including concerts, theatre presentations, dance performances, children’s programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, and more. www.northcharlestonartsfest.com