Memphis Day Highlights Music

For our third Memphis Day, we celebrated Memphis music heritage and explored the impact that our hip-hop, blues, rock, and soul sounds have had on the world.
 
A morning panel, moderated by Instructor in Music Matt Tutor ’91, featured heavy hitters on the Memphis music scene, including Memphis-born rapper Al Kapone (Alphonzo Bailey), Memphis-born producer, performer, and innovator IMAKEMADBEATS (James Dukes), and two-time Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, arranger, and artist Kurt “KC” Clayton. The panelists then participated in a Memphis recording industry panel facilitated by Music Director Chris Piecuch.
Other sessions featured a concert by the Stax Music Academy Legacy Band, facilitated by Music Instructor Bryan Scott, and a presentation by Executive Director at Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum John Doyle, facilitated by Arts Chair Grant Burke. Stephen Lee, founder and artistic director of the Memphis Jazz Workshop, brought jazz musicians to play for students in Ross Lynn Arena and in the Dining Hall. (Learn more about programs for students at memphisjazzworkshop.org.)
 
Classes broke into smaller groups to meet with a host of community outreach speakers who walked students through what they can do now and later in their lives to better the 901. They included Suzanne and Larry Busby, directors of the Memphis Society of St. Vincent de Paul; Terri Dulaney, volunteer coordinator at Room in the Inn; David Bingham, director of The Way at St. John’s United Methodist Church, and LaDell Beamon, executive director at Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis.
 
The music portion of the day concluded with a concert by Memphis Sound Collective, led by Mr. Tutor, highlighting Memphis music progression. Featured artists included Jerome Chism, Vince Johnson, Al Kapone, and Singa B.
 
Fun and games followed, with giant inflatables, a music mural art project, an instrument “petting zoo,” a recording studio, and 3-on-3 basketball. Then students were dismissed to head to the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and the FedExForum Arena, where the varsity basketball Owls defeated University School of Jackson, 41-38. Later, Beg To Differ sang the national anthem before the Grizzlies - Houston Rockets game. 

Thanks to all the artists and presenters for their outstanding contributions and to Basketball Head Coach David Willson '99 and his committee for Memphis Day leadership. Thanks, as well, to Brian Harris, special assistant to Mayor Paul Young and director of the Memphis Office of Youth Services, for celebrating with us. 

It was a great day and a great way to celebrate the "Memphis" in Memphis University School!

See photos from the campus events HERE.
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Memphis University School

6191 Park Avenue  |  Memphis, TN 38119  |  Main: (901) 260-1300