THE WICHITA EAGLE

STUDENT SPIRITUALS CONCERT

Saturday, August 4, 2001 Section: ENTERTAINMENT Edition: main Page: 4F

BY CHRIS SHULL, The Wichita Eagle

The Northeast Area Strings Academy of Wichita will conclude its eighth summer of providing low-cost private lessons to African-American student- musicians in Wichita with a recital today at the Kansas African American Museum.

The concert will feature solos played by the young string players and the performance of three ensemble pieces written especially for the concert.

Miriam Overholt, a composer who lives in Wichita, has worked side-by-side with the NASAW students throughout the summer.

"She really has worked to tailor the pieces to the students," said Kay Buskirk, NASAW's executive director. "If it is too hard, we make it easier. If it is too easy, we make it a little harder.

"With Miriam being here, they actually see the person who wrote it, they have input on how to change the piece - something you can't do with a piece by Bach."

The pieces to be premiered today are all based on traditional spirituals. A string quartet will play "Soon I Will Be Done With the Troubles of the World"; a viola quartet is featured on "Steal Away to Jesus"; and a choir of eight cellos will perform "Over Jordan"

"It has been really fun to work with the kids," Overholt said. "They have been so enthusiastic. I think it was fun for them to realize nobody has ever played this music before and it was written for them."

A total of 40 string players will participate in today's performance.

After the recital, cookies and punch will be served. Free tours of the Kansas African American Museum will also be given.

The recital is at 3:30 p.m. today at the Kansas African American Museum, 601 N. Water Street. Admission is free. For more information, call 262-7651.

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