Choral Society offers new perspective

Since 1970, the New Arts Cultural Society (incorporated as NACSI) has continually made significant contributions to the cultural depth of the Shreveport-Bossier City region. NACSI is the parent organization to New Dimensions Choral Society and New Arts Youth Chorale.

Founder Bobby Wiggins began the nonprofit organization to elevate and enhance “the cultural and aesthetic appreciation of its members and the community at large. The group has been an integral utility for the members to fully develop and express their vocal talents, in a broad variety of genres including ethnic, folk, traditional and secular styles. Overall, the mission is dedicated to educating, cultivating and promoting each sector of the arts including not only music and voice but dance, theater, visual and literary arts. They enrich the educational life of the community through a wide spectrum of community activities that include presenting choral concerts, lectures and recitals, and a creative writing component with focus on poetry, speech and drama.

“New Dimensions seeks the highest standards of excellence in its performances and provides its members professionallevel training in coive and musicianship,” Wiggins said.

According to their website (www.newarts.us/) the organizations specific goals are:

• To provide for the artistic and educational skills of the talents of the youth in the communities, including the under-served;

• To provide guidance for the youth on how to balance the rigors of academics with other school and community activities;

• To provide professional role models/ mentors (local and national) for today’s students, to instruct, council, motivate, encourage and enlighten them, always reminding them of their own experiences and the role that the academics played in their overall development.

From the earliest roots of the organization, the strongest emphasis has centered on enhancing education and stressing academic excellence. They have been particularly focused on students seeking careers whether in the arts or other disciplines.

New Dimension Choral Society as the initial performance group to be formed under the umbrella of the Cultural Society and “has served as a major support system to the popular Festival of the Arts at Southern University’s Shreveport campus performing annually alone and in conjunction with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

Since 1982, with the birth of the New Directions Youth Chorale, led by Julie B. Lester, New Arts has continued to bring exemplary programs to the community following the guidelines of their mission goals.

The youth group consists of 45 singers accepted on a volunteer basis. These participants receive weekly choral-voice preparation from professionals comprised of the finest of literature from all period of music and styles covering jazz, folk, patriotic and spirituals.

The New Dimension Choral Society itself is comprised of 47 gifted singers from Louisiana and beyond.

Through their appearances, the group has made significant contributions to a number of historic area events including the Grand Reopening of the historic Strand Theater; the first Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday recognition program sponsored by the city of Shreveport and the first MLK commemoration concert. Seasonal events for which the group participates include the annual spring and Christmas concerts.

Since 1990 one of the most significant highlights of each season has been the Celebration of the Spirituals (Negro Spirituals), which New Dimensions presents over a two-day event. This celebration has two facets: first, a lecture-recital by local and invited guest professional artists; and second, a Festival of Choirs featuring as many as 15 community, elementary, high school and college choirs.

Charlotte Nelson, Choral Society member and administrative assistant said on the last Saturday in February of 2015, there will be a celebration of the Negro Spiritual held at the historic Galilee Baptist Church at 1500 Pierre Ave. in Shreveport.

This will feature talent from across the country performing “the only true American art form.”

“Without music, life would be flat. It brings a new perspective and focus to life that nothing else can equal,” Nelson said.

–Karl Hasten