Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West Honors Recital Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West Honors Recital You’re invited to the 11th Annual Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West Honors Recital on Sunday, May 19, at 4 PM at Camphor United Methodist Church. The recital will feature soloists, the Kamoinge String Ensemble, and the Advanced Youth Jazz Ensemble. This recital is a celebration of our students’ accomplishments, offering them the opportunity to perform and recognizing graduating high school seniors. Furthermore, the Founders will select a Founders Award recipient who has demonstrated exemplary musician ..read more

Notes from the Walker|WestMusic Academy String Department May is one of my favorite months. We celebrate Cinco De Mayo, early graduations  and most important, Mothers! In May we can feel with confidence, we’ve survived yet another  Minnesota winter and we can look forward to beautiful summer weather that makes living in the  Upper Midwest oh so worth it! While it is true, this year we didn’t have the long frigid winter we are  accustomed to, it is still great to see late spring approaching, knowing that summer is just around  the corner. The unofficial start ..read more

String Stories – April 2024 April not only brings in poetry and “spring snow showers” that lead to “May flowers”, but it also celebrates Duke Ellington’s birthday (April 29), one of America’s most important musicians and composers, along with International Jazz Day (April 30). The String Department embraces these commemorations and more! Kamoinge Strings performs a set of jazz standards that include Moanin’, My Funny Valentine, and Misty. To honor Duke Ellington, the ensemble includes C-Jam Blues and In a Sentimental Mood in its repertoire.  As we approach the end of the session and scho ..read more

In partnership with Walker Art Center, Walker|West will host a conversation with Chicago-based visual artist, educator, activist and vocalist/musician, Damon Locks. Date & Time: Friday, April 19 | 6 – 7pm Location: Walker West Performance Hall, 760 Selby Ave. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 17. RSVP for the event Questions or More info:  tonya@walkerwest.org Damon Locks is a Chicago-based visual artist, educator, activist and vocalist/musician. Since 2014 he has been working with the Prison and Neighborhood Arts Project at Stateville Correctional Center teaching a ..read more

WALKER|WEST’S WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT RCMS Concert Featuring  Give Get Sistet March 16th @7 pm Save Your Spot The Give Get Sistet is an expandable, improvisational chorus of Black women and non-binary artists based in the Twin Cities with ties around the world. Using a cappella singing and vocal improvisation, the Give Get Sistet entertains, educates and empowers audiences and communities from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. These artists listen deeply and sing with great generosity and daring, the music they make is unlike any other ensemble you’ve heard. This is the ..read more

Event Description:  Masterclass with guest artist JD Allen.  The purpose of the masterclass is to provide musical education and inspiration centered around historically black American music. Activities include artist performance/demonstration, student coaching and Q&A with audience. Open to all musicians, feel free to bring your instrument, no cover charge Date & Time:  Saturday, Mar 16, 2024 10:30AM – 12:30PM Location:  High School of Recording Arts  1166 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104 Questions or More Info:  jack@walkerwest.org About JD Allen ..read more

Notes from the Walker West Music Academy String Department In March the String Department celebrates two significant events: National Women’s History Month and Kamoinge Strings, STRINGOCRACY Concert. Last year after our final string recital, we decided to schedule more departmental recitals starting in the 2023-2024 season to accommodate our growing enrollment, and the longer pieces our string students were performing as they progressed in their studies. We also made the decision to establish formal Kamoinge Strings concerts in addition to the recitals. The ensemble, which had traditionally pe ..read more

STRING STORIES During National Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of African Americans. As the oldest music school founded by African Americans in Minnesota, every month provides us with a reason to celebrate the contributions of Black/African American music. To begin the month, Kamoinge Strings performed the Black National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” for the opening of the Timberwolves game at the Target Center Friday February 2. This was a first for both Kamoinge Strings and the Timberwolves as they have never had an ..read more

Walker West Events for MLK Day January 15, 2024 Reading of “Memphis 6:01” with RiceRoots LLC This event is at capacity and closed to the public. Watch the livestream here. Walker West is partnering with RiceRoots LLC to present in the debut readings of the powerful episode “Memphis 6:01©” at Walker West Music Academy’s new building, located at 650 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104. 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Doors for 1st reading close at 11:30 AM sharp. No admittance until next reading. Kamoinge Strings @ Governor Walz’ MLK Awards Reception Private Event Kamoinge ..read more

Notes from the Walker West Music Academy String Department During National Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of African Americans. As the oldest music school founded by African Americans in Minnesota, every month gives us a reason to celebrate the contributions of Black / African American music. In the String Department this month we highlight the musicians who perform jazz on bowed instruments. On Wednesday January 31, 2024, we discuss the legacy of string instruments in jazz with our very own Ernest Bisong (upper strings instructor) and members of the Minneapolis String Pr ..read more