The Department of Music's Arkansas Center for Black Music announces the 12th annual U of A Black Music Symposium, with the theme "Bringing It Home." It will feature several incredible scholars and performers from right here in Northwest Arkansas. All Black Music Symposium events are free and open to the general public.  

The symposium is on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Faulkner Center for the Performing Arts. The day is divided into a series of lectures and a masterclass from 10:30 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. and a concert featuring BAANG at 7 p.m. 

The morning and afternoon lectures feature U of A faculty from a wide range of departments and schools, including professors Caree Banton of the Department of History, LaShawnda Fields of the School of Social Work, Uché Ewelukwa Ofodile of the School of Law, Lenora Green-Turner of the Department of Music, and HEI coordinator Traci Hall.

Titus Underwood

Special guest Titus Underwood, winner of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and principal oboist of the Nashville Symphony, will present an oboe masterclass and talk about the classical music scene. 

The evening concert will feature headliner hip-hop artist BAANG and his band taking the stage, and will open with the Arkansas Soul Band, a student ensemble in the Department of Music directed by Reggie James. 

BAANG said, "I'm beyond honored to return to my alma mater! Performing at the University of Arkansas is always an incredible experience, and this time will be no exception." He added, "I've got something special in store — you won't want to miss it!"   

"We are so excited for this year's event and the chance to highlight the incredible talents we have right here in our region" said Jake Hertzog, the associate director of the Arkansas Center for Black Music.

Black Music Symposium 2025 Schedule

BAANG

Friday, Feb. 7

10:30-11:50 a.m.
Oboe Masterclass with Titus Underwood

Noon to 12:50 p.m.
Lenora Green Turner Lecture & Traci Hall: "Let's Talk About It! Black Vocal Literature"  

1-1:50 p.m.
Titus Underwood Q&A "The Classical Scene" 

2-2:30 p.m. 
Caree Banton: "Jamaican Politics, Nationalism, and Musical Culture in Transition, 1974 - 1984" 

2:40-3:10 p.m.
LaShawnda Fields : "Unpacking Cowboy Carter and Music Genres" 

3:20-3:50 p.m.
Uche Ofodile: "Copyright Law, Race, and Music: A History of Exploitation, Exclusion or Empowerment?"   

7-8:30 p.m.  
BAANG, with opener Arkansas Soul Band, directed by Reggie James