Acclaimed Organist Launches Spelman College Annual Recital Series

Distinguished organist Nathaniel Gumbs, interim associate director of music and arts at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C, will launch the 2012-2013 Spelman College Harreld-James Organ Recital Series, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m., at Sisters Chapel. Gumbs’ program will include organ favorites and “A Spiritual Suite” by African-American composer Calvin Taylor. The recital series is presented by the Spelman College Office of the President and the department of music.

The recital is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.spelman.edu or call 404-270-5476.

WHERE:   
Spelman College, Sisters Chapel
350 Spelman Lane S.W., Atlanta 30314

GPS Address: 440 Westview Drive, Atlanta 30310

WHEN:       
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
7:30 p.m.

WHY:
Now in its sixth year, the Harreld-James Organ Recital Series was started to honor the memory of two important icons of the Spelman College department of music, Kemper Harreld and Willis James, as well as celebrate the classical sounds of organ music through the performances of notable organists.

About Nathaniel Gumbs
Nathaniel Gumbs is a native of Bronx, N.Y. He currently serves as the interim associate director of music and arts at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. Gumbs is a graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va., where he received a bachelor of music degree in organ performance and the Excellence in Organ Award. He earned a master of music degree in organ performance from Yale University, Institute of Sacred Music in New Haven, Conn. Gumbs has served as the conference organist of the Hampton Ministers’ Conference in Hampton, Va. since 2009. He received both service playing and colleague certifications from the American Guild of Organists.

About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the College’s picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children's Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer; JPMorgan Chase Foundation President Kimberly Davis; former acting Surgeon General and Spelman’s first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley; Harvard College Dean Evelyn Hammonds; author and playwright Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.