Based in the heart of the Capitol View neighborhood, AMP provides world-class music training and performance opportunities supporting youth growth and development. We remove barriers to entry by providing tuition-free programming, as well as instruments, teaching artists and transportation.

AMP Youth Orchestra and Choir participants have immediate access to our College & Career department and the opportunity to participate in national and international performances. For the most talented and dedicated young musicians the AMP Academy provides private lessons.

 

 

 

Media Inquiries:

Dantes Rameau

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Music Project

678-235-4267 | info@atlantamusicproject.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT ANNOUNCES OBOIST TITUS UNDERWOOD
AS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE FOR 2024 AMP SUMMER SERIES

UNDERWOOD’S RESIDENCY TO INCLUDE MASTERCLASS & SOLO PERFORMANCE WITH AMP SUMMER SERIES FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

(Atlanta, GA) (May 29, 2024) — The Atlanta Music Project announces oboist Titus Underwood as Artist-in-Residence for the 2024 AMP Summer Series. Mr. Underwood is Principal Oboe of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. His residency at AMP will culminate with his performance as soloist in the Concerto in F Major, RV 455 for Oboe, Strings, and Continuo by Antonio Vivaldi, with the AMP Summer Series Festival Orchestra under the direction of conductor John Young Shik Concklin.

Now in its ninth straight year, the Atlanta Music Project Summer Series is a 4-week music festival and school, based in the Capitol View neighborhood in Southwest Atlanta. The 2024 AMP Summer Series will feature symphony orchestra, string orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, chamber ensembles and several concerts by AMP students, faculty, and guest artists. The AMP Summer Series serves novice, intermediate and advanced musicians in grades 4 through 12.

Titus Underwood is Principal Oboe of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the 2021 recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence award and a 2021 Midsouth Regional Emmy winner for his work on “We Are Nashville”. Prior to the NSO, he was Acting Associate Principal of Utah Symphony, and has performed as guest principal of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, and Florida Orchestra. A sought-after freelance performer, Titus has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Puerto Rico Symphony, and San Diego Symphony. Titus regularly plays principal oboe in Chineke!, the Gateways Music Festival, and Bellingham Festival of Music.

“It is a wonderful pleasure to welcome Titus Underwood as our Artist-in-Residence for the 2024 AMP Summer Series,” stated Dantes Rameau, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Music Project. He continued, “To have an oboist and artist of his stature is an incredible opportunity for our organization and young musicians. We look forward to Mr. Underwood’s time with us in Atlanta.”

Titus Underwood stated, “I am honored to join the Atlanta Music Project as Artist-in-Residence for the 2024 AMP Summer Series. I am a passionate artist and pedagogue and therefore AMP’s mission to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music resonates deeply with me. I look forward to sharing wonderful musical moments with AMP’s faculty and young musicians.”

Mr. Underwood’s residency at the 2024 AMP Summer Series is sponsored by Cricket Wireless and will consist of an Opening Night performance, a masterclass, a mentorship session and curated panel discussion. Most components of the residency will be ticketed events that are open to the public. Tickets are available on the AMP website.

Mr. Underwood’s residency schedule is as follows:

June 6 | 9:00am | Oboe Masterclass with Titus Underwood

Atlanta Music Project Center for Performance & Education

883 Dill Ave SW Atlanta, GA 30310

June 6 | 6:30pm | Fireside Chat with Titus Underwood & Terrance McKnight

Atlanta Music Project Center for Performance & Education

883 Dill Ave SW Atlanta, GA 30310

June 7 | 12:45pm | Mentorship Session with Titus Underwood and AMP Summer Series Students (Private Event)

2024 AMP Summer Series Opening Night

June 7 | 7:00pm | Impact Church

Titus Underwood performing Oboe Concerto in F Major, RV 455 by Antonio Vivaldi

AMP Summer Series Festival Orchestra

John Young Shik Concklin, conductor

AMP Summer Series Festival Choir

Kay Pace, conductor

About Titus Underwood

Titus Underwood is Principal Oboe of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the 2021 recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence award and a 2021 Midsouth Regional Emmy® winner for his work on « We Are Nashville ». Prior to the NSO, he was Acting Associate Principal of Utah Symphony, and has performed as guest principal of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, and Florida Orchestra. A sought-after freelance performer, Titus has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Puerto Rico Symphony, and San Diego Symphony. Titus regularly plays principal oboe in Chineke!, the Gateways Music Festival, and Bellingham Festival of Music.

As a pedagogue, Titus has been teaching music lessons and classes, and coaching chamber music since he was a student at Cleveland Institute of Music in 2006. He has maintained a private studio and taught in precollege programs at C.I.M., Juilliard, and the National Youth Orchestras program at Carnegie Hall. He has taught in the Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando program since 2017, and he teaches and mentors for the National Alliance for Audition Support program maintained by the League of American Orchestras, The Sphinx Organization, and New World Symphony.

Titus received his Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Elaine Douvas, and pursued additional studies with Nathan Hughes and Pedro Diaz. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music where he was a student of John Mack, legendary principal oboist of the Cleveland Orchestra, with additional studies from Frank Rosenwein and Jeffrey Rathbun. In 2013, he received his artist diploma from The Colburn School as a student of Allan Vogel.

About the Atlanta Music Project

Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project (AMP) provides world-class music training and performance opportunities supporting youth growth and development. Operating in under-resourced communities, AMP’s mission is to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music. AMP serves 700 young musicians annually through: beginner-level choir, band and orchestra through the AMP Preparatory School; the intermediate and advanced AMP Youth Orchestras & Choirs; private instrumental and vocal lessons through the AMP Academy; and the annual month-long AMP Summer Series. Additionally, AMP runs a college and career program, supporting AMP high school students and AMP alumni. Since 2021, AMP has awarded 70 college scholarships to its alumni totaling $306,375.

AMP music ensembles perform more than 60 concerts annually, performing in venues all across Atlanta, from community centers to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. AMP music ensembles have performed alongside international stars such as cellist Sterling Elliott, rapper Lecrae, operatic baritone Edward Parks, R&B singer Monica, The Piano Guys, the Harlem Quartet, electric violinist Lindsey Stirling, pianist Terrence Wilson, and the Imani Winds. AMP musicians can be seen performing with rapper T.I. on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. AMP’s young musicians have successfully auditioned for Georgia All-State ensembles, performed with the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet, and have concertized as far away as Los Angeles, Aspen, Mexico, and Canada.

AMP is the recipient of several prestigious awards: 2015 Local Community Service Award (Spelman College), 2016 Neighborhood Builder (Bank of America), 2016 & 2017 Top 50 Youth Arts Program (USA President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities), 2018 MLK Jr. Community Service Award (Emory University), 2019 Luminary Award for Arts Education (ArtsATL), and 2021 Infusion Award (Lewis Prize for Music).

AMP’s existence is a direct result of the 2009 TED Prize, which was awarded to Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu, founder of Venezuela’s El Sistema. AMP’s co-founders were members of the Sistema Fellows Program at the New England Conservatory in Boston. AMP is a member of “El Sistema USA,” the National Alliance of El Sistema Inspired Programs.

AMP’s current and past funders include Carnegie Hall, PwC, Georgia Power, Bank of America, the Chick-fil-A Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, Mailchimp, The Zeist Foundation, the Abraham J. & Phyllis Katz Foundation, the Harland Charitable Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia Music Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

In 2024, AMP became the recipient of five Steinway pianos and was awarded the prestigious honor of being a Steinway Select School, making AMP one of eight schools in the country with this distinction.

AMP’s partners and collaborators include the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton State University, and the Chestnut Family Foundation.

AMP is a member of “El Sistema USA,” the National Alliance of El Sistema Inspired Programs.

For more information visit http://www.atlantamusicproject.org

Randall Goosby Inspires Students in Exclusive AMP Masterclass & Emory University Recital

On Thursday, March 4th, the Atlanta Music Project welcomed American concert violinist Randall Goosby for an inspiring violin masterclass with AMP Academy students Paris Adams, Autumn Inman, and Ethan Waithe.

Fresh from a U.S. recital tour and preparing for an upcoming European concert tour, Goosby graciously shared his time and expertise with our students by refining their violin technique and musicianship.

Following the masterclass, attendees engaged in a fireside chat moderated by Amber Smith, Associate Director of the AMP Academy. Goosby shared his journey as a young classical musician, and insights into his successes and struggles along the way.

The 26-year old violinist made his debut with the Jacksonville Symphony at age nine. By age 13, he performed with the New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concert at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall and was the youngest to win the Sphinx Concerto Competition. A former student of Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho, he received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Artist Diploma degrees from The Juilliard School. He is an alumni of the Perlman Music Program and studied previously with Philippe Quint. He was also featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk.

 

Goosby has performed with orchestras across the United States including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, and New World Symphony. His recital appearances have included the Kennedy Center in New York, Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, and Wigmore Hall in London.

Randall Goosby with AMP Academy violinist Ethan Waithe at the masterclass. Photo by Qu West Photography

Goosby, who is of Korean and African-American descent, is vocal about his personal mission to foster a more inclusive and accessible culture within classical music. He is dedicated to spotlighting under-represented composers, furthering his commitment to diversity and equity in the classical music world.

“I don’t want my legacy to be on the stage,” Randall mused at the fireside chat. “I want to have brought people, communities, families, and generations who look like us into an art form that, historically, we’ve had no business in.”

Randall Goosby and Amber Smith in conversation at the fireside chat. Photo by Qu West Photography

The following Friday evening, AMP Preparatory String Orchestra students eagerly flooded Emory University’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts to witness Goosby’s performance with pianist Zhu Wang. “It was amazing, because I actually got to see him in real life. And that I could only dream of” said Malaika, who plays viola in the Prep String Orchestra. “I’m average at viola, but seeing him made me want to try my absolute best”.

AMP was able to connect with Randall Goosby through Kathryn Colegrove, Associate Director for Programming and Outreach at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University. “I’d heard about the impactful work AMP was doing, and [was able to connect] with Dantes Rameau and Aisha Moody last March. As chance would have it, Dantes had already been looking into opportunities for AMP with Randall Goosby”, says Kathryn. “As we were set to present Mr. Goosby in a recital concert, it seemed to be the perfect fit to expand the Schwartz Center’s community engagement activities outside of our doors and work directly with AMP for a student master class and Q & A”.

Randall Goosby with AMP students after his Emory recital.

Some students who attended Goosby’s Emory performance were starstruck, nearly at a loss for words when sharing about their experience with Randall. Others felt nervous, and “jittery”. But the universal experience among them was the profound sense of inspiration they felt after being in Randall’s presence and witnessing his exceptional gift.

“Seeing Randall Goosby showed me that even though I struggle in violin, if I practice hard enough, I can be better at it,” AMP Prep String Orchestra student Kaitlyn Taylor said confidently when asked about the impact of seeing Goosby. Feruzi Tiya’s sentiment was similar, as he shared, “He inspires me to be a great musician”. Feruzi’s brother, Manzo, says that even as a cello student, “[Randall] inspired me to go faster with my bow strokes,” aspiring to work his way up “practicing everyday for 5 hours when I’m older.”

On behalf of the AMP staff and faculty, we extend our deepest gratitude to Randall Goosby and his management team for graciously providing this invaluable opportunity to connect with Randall during the masterclass and fireside chat, enjoy his performance, and benefit from his expertise.

Additionally, we extend a heartfelt thank you to the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University for facilitating our connection with Randall Goosby for this special event.