'Music of Africa' is focus of piano concert at church

Friends of Music at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church will present a concert featuring pianist William Chapman Nyaho at 7 p.m. Friday.

His program, "Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora," will feature music primarily by composers of African descent. Chapman Nyaho will cover piano music written by West African composers such as Joshua Uzoigwe and Fred Onovwerosuoke using indigenous musical practices melded with Western cultural musical practices.

He will also perform music by composers from the Caribbean, such as Oswald Russell, and African-American composer C.T. Perkinson.

The recital will end with a piece by an Argentine composer whose music exhibits close ties to African musical practices.

Chapman Nyaho, a Ghanaian-American and a resident of Seattle, received his bachelor's degree at the Honour School of Music at St. Peter's College, Oxford. After continuing piano studies at the Conservatoire de Musique de Geneve, Switzerland, he received his master of music degree from the Eastman School of Music and his doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

While in Tucson, Chapman Nyaho will make several appearances in addition to the Friday recital at St. Philip's. Today, he and University of Arizona Regents Professor Paula Fan will engage in a conversation titled "Classical and African: Spirituals and Beyond," presented by the UA ConfluencCenter for Creative Inquiry, at 7 p.m. at the Student Union bookstore. Chapman Nyaho will introduce and perform repertoire with links to American slave songs.

On Saturday, Chapman Nyaho will present a workshop for teachers through the Tucson Music Teachers Association, held at Pima Community College. On Sunday he will judge the annual Lois Trester Piano Competition at the UA's Crowder Hall at 3 p.m.

Admission to Friday's recital is a $15 suggested donation to St. Philip's Friends of Music.

St. Philip's is at 4440 N. Campbell Ave. at East River Road. Parking is available in the north parking lot or under the solar covered parking structure on the east side. The office phone is 299-6421.

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