WPCC Events Honor Black History Month

Morganton—Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) will honor February as Black History Month with an art contest and show, a presentation by a noted jazz instructor and performer, a presentation on African American music, and a readers theater production that are all free and open to the public.  All events will be held on the College campus at 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton.

“My African American Hero” art contest is open to all Burke County High School students.  Works of original student art should illustrate an African American hero, whether famous or a personal acquaintance, and will be displayed in the Goodfellow Gallery in Phifer Learning Resources Center (LRC) on the College campus.  To learn more about the contest, contact Mark Poteat, WPCC Visual & Performing Arts department chair, at 828-448-3538 or mpoteat@wpcc.edu. 
 

Todd Wright, the “Ambassador of Jazz” in Western North Carolina, will be performing on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. in Leviton Auditorium.  Wright, who joined the Appalachian State University music faculty in 1990, is Director of Jazz Studies.  In addition to conducting, teaching and coaching music students, he has been the recipient of several university and community service awards.  Also an active jazz saxophonist, Wright has taught students who have gone on to be active performers throughout the world. A light reception will follow his presentation.

Terry King will give a talk on “The Impact of African American Music Genres on American Music” on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in Leviton Auditorium. King has performed with the Drifters and the Temptations. Growing up in New York City, he spent summers in Burke County with his great-great aunt, music and English teacher Bessie Corpening, who was among King’s musical influences. Today, he operates recording studios in Morganton and New York.

 
On Wednesday, Feb. 20, the public is invited to attend a Readers Theater version of the novel Clover by Dori Sanders.  The novel focuses on 10-year-old Clover, a young black girl from South Carolina who must forge a new relationship with the white stepmother she hardly knows.  The performance will be held at 11 a.m. in LRC 99, "The Studio."

Sign language interpretation will be available for the presentations by Todd Wright and Terry King as well as the Clover readers theater.

College programming in honor of Black History Month is sponsored by the Global Education Committee.  To learn more, contact Maureen Dougher at 828-448-3109.

Western Piedmont Community College enrolls approximately 4,000 students annually in pursuit of college transfer degrees, two year associate degrees and diplomas.  More than 10,000 students enroll each year in continuing education courses for professional development and personal enrichment. The College also provides programs for high school completion.  Western Piedmont received recognition for Exceptional Institutional Performance based on standards established by the North Carolina General Assembly.