Oakwood College Presents The Aeolians, "Run Lil Chilun", 1974

“OH FREEDOM”
Oakwood College Presents
The Aeolians, 1974
AEOLIANS: the name “Aeolians: has been applied to any musical group. The name is derived from the word “Aeolus”. Aeolus was the Greek god or ruler of the winds. According to the legend, he lived on a floating island, one of the Aeolian Islands later known as the Lipari Islands. Here Aeolus bound the winds in a cave, and only at the bidding of Teus did he liberate them.
The Aeolian harp is a plain box of wood to which were attached a number of thin strings varying in number from 7 to 15. On each end of the box is a bridge upon which are stretched a number of strings so tuned that they may be in harmony with one another. The length and width of the box depends upon the length and width of the window in which the box is placed, strings uppermost.
When the winds blow across the strings they produce a beautiful harmony of music which increases or decreases according to the intensity of the winds as it sweeps across the strings.
In the forties, the Oakwood College Aeolians was formed, consisting of members selected from the College Choir. This group of singers is now under the direction of Mrs. Alma Blackmon, able pianist, accompanist, and director of music. by Eva B. Dykes
HERITAGE: The songs of black folks are but the often spontaneous outflowing of simple yet beautiful melodic structures reflecting their multiple experiences on two continents.
Black music stems from West Africa chiefly, and from the former Gold Coast and Ashanties in particular who are still foremost among Africa’s music folk; these people will still shout out instantly into singing, a moving thought of a gospel message, two or more times interrupting the speaker.
Africa’s music was - and still is - heard on festival occasions and celebrations, at affairs of state and during pagan rituals. Originally and now, in Christian worships, tribes use instruments of wood, strings, drums, dances, hand clapping and voices.
Africans brought their music in all of its many forms. The environment in which the new world would cast them molded their musical tone, light hearted and frolicsome. Overseers encouraged and demanded the jig, the minstrel and dances. Pious and religious slave holders insisted on religious words, rhythms and melodies.
Africa’s music accommodated all moods; so in slave holding America, the unforgettable spiritual songs that have been recorded, sprang from changed hearts of slaves, who expressed love for God in music that rejoiced the heart and soul. by C. E. Moseley
ALMA MONTGOMERY BLACKMON
Alma Montgomery Blackmon loves people…
She is the MATERNAL MOTHER OF ONE CHILD, BUT A SPIRITUAL MOTHER TO MANY YOUTHS ON Oakwood’s campus, and probably all over the country.
She directs the “AEOLIANS” with a mother’s touch - and the group reciprocates by producing so lovely a sound that it must be heard to be appreciated.
Mrs. Blackmon chose the field of education to expand her love for young people. She graduated Cum Laude from Miner Teachers College with a major in Kindergarden-Primary Education. She continued this love affair at Teachers College in Washington, D.C., writing her Master’s thesis on, “An Analysis of Pre-School Programs in Capital Cities of Four Countries”. This adventure started in the United States and took her to Norway, Denmark and Holland to study the pre-school programs of these countries.
After returning to Washington, D.C., Mrs. Blackmon was appointed the Kindergarten Supervisor of the D.C. Public School System as well as the director of Washington’s Project Head Start Program. She has taught at Howard University College of Fine Arts, and at Bowie State College in Bowie, Md. Her classes are a sharing experience with others who would follow after her example.
Musically speaking, she has always studied privately all of her life. Piano lessons under Cecil Cohen - organ with Thomas Kerr - voice lessons from Paul Hume, Frederick Wilkerson and Todd Duncan. Her experience as heightened when she directed music and was the principal accompanist at the Tivoli Opera Restaurant in Georgetown, Md. Her talents prove that she has excelled.
But, above all that, Alma Blackmon loves young people… by C. B. Rock, President of Oakwood College

[@emersonwallace7226]

Do you have the entire album?

[@Jake-nk4wg]

@Emerson Wallace I have the entire album and it is not in the best condition but uploaded another from it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKHEhntjZ5mroLs Are you on this choir of 1974? I would have been but had to "drop out" because of the lack of funds. There is another person who had uploaded additional songs; just searched but can no longer locate. Also, in case you're interested, the 1966 album (entire) I've uploaded to youtube at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHfbl6aepKejoNU Other Oakwood uploads (including two of the above) of mine: kzbin.info?search_query=Oakwood+college+choir&sp=CAI%253D Enjoy!!!! :)