The Omnibus

Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Robert Barrow Southwest Baptist University students, faculty and staff enjoy free coffee and cookies at Café Noir on Monday, Feb. 18 in Goodson Student Union. The event included history, music and literary performances by SBU faculty, staff and students.

In celebration of Black History Month, Da Vine Student Ministry hosted Café Noir and Jazz Fest on Monday, Feb. 18 in Goodson Student Union.
The event included performances by Southwest Baptist University faculty, staff and students.
The evening began with an opening speech by Dr. Terri Knupps, assistant professor of Music, concerning black history and its influence on music. She touched on the English enslavement era and how the shipping of African American slaves impacted the American culture through music.
Dr. Renae Myles, senior woman administrator of athletics, brought a creative interpretation of black music. She discussed the stages of its development including the movement from jazz to R&B and the birth of hip hop.
Myles also explained the difference between traditional and contemporary gospel and how many churches today have veered from traditional forms of worship in an attempt to satisfy the upcoming generations.
Following Myles was a dance performed freshman Natalie Lee.
Last to perform was Dr. Brian Hopwood, director of Instrumental Studies, and the SBU Jazz Combo. They played a few selections to give the evening a jazz mood.
Dr. Myles then opened up the microphone to the audience and invited students to express themselves.
Two students presented poems and another played a piano piece.
"The turn out was great," said senior Nora Scott. "I really enjoyed the history lesson on black music and getting to know my roots is very important to me. There was music, dancing, and poetry. I couldn't of asked for a better evening"

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