Social and Civic Whirl: Second Calvary Baptist Church was the venue for a concert featuring violinist Brandon Elliott

The Tidewater Area Musicians (TAM) Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM) presented their Third Annual Recital Series at Second Calvary Baptist Church. This year NANM showcased the talent of violinist Brandon Elliott.

Elliott began playing the violin, at the early age of 3, under the tutelage of his mother. Brandon is a Newport News native and a graduate of Menchville High School. Prior to becoming a graduate student at the prestigious Juillard School of Music, he graduated from the Curtis Institute. During the summer at the National NANM Convention in New Orleans, was honored to receive a scholarship from NANM. This young virtuoso has been a guest violin soloist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for “five special Young Peoples Concert;” with the Virginia Symphony at the first “Songs for a Dreamer” concert at Second Calvary Baptist Church; and at a 9/11 Memorial Concert.

In addition, Elliott has won three concerto competitions; been a soloist with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra; played with the New York Philharmonic; and played at Carnegie Hall. According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, Brandon Elliott “plays with substantial sound and a lovely feeling of warmth, with a not especially youthful self-possession.” After his performance with the Colours of Music Virtuosi, The Charleston Post and Courier described Brandon’s solo as “playing with grace and poise, displaying a fine technique and sweet tone.” Elliott was accompanied by Tristi Chan who is renown, in her own right, as an “experienced piano teacher and accompanist who has performed and traveled extensively.

The Concert began with a Welcome by Mrs. Geraldine T. Boone, Vice President of TAM and 1st Vice President of NANM, Inc. During her greetings, Mrs. Boone explained the applause protocol, at a concert, to the youth in the audience. The President of TAM, Mr. Julius McCullough, Introduced the Guest Musician. The Invocation was done by, Mr. James Rivers, Assistant Chaplain of TAM. Brandon’s first piece was Bach’s Sonata No. 3 in C major, 3rd Movement. This was followed by Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d’un lieu which included Meditation, Scherzo and Melodie. The last solo before intermission, was Concerto No.3 in B minor, 1st Movement by Saint-Saens.

After the Intermission violin virtuoso performed musical selections by Eugene Yasaye, William Grant Still, and Wieniawski. The pieces were Sonata No.4 in E minor; the sweet sound of Summerland; and Polonaise Brilliante in D major respectively. Mr. Julius E. McCullough, President of TAM, introduced Brandon’s parents and 18 years old brother who is already a student at Juillard and expressed closing remarks.

The audience thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon of beautiful, tranquil music performed by two young extremely talented young people – Brandon Elliott and Tristi Chan.