MUSIC         SERVICE THEATRE WORLD About Us

As you browse, I hope you enjoy reviewing the programs we have been privileged to present.  It is a pleasure to serve the community and assist in the efforts that help positively enhance their lives - individually and collectively.

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Formerly based in New York  City, Theatre World Music Service provided music transcription and copying services for ...

Broadway shows, orchestras, concert and recording artist worldwide.  Established in 1979 by its founder and chief executive officer Gwen Moten, the company immediately began providing music for major theatre productions in New York City. Some of its first Broadway shows that called for the services of the company were Eubie, a musical biography of the Ragtime composer Eubie Blake and Timbuktu!  which starred Eartha Kitt and Melba Moore.  Music for international show tours such as Black Nativity were transcribed and copied for its orchestras and vocal artists.

The Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Harry Belafonte singers and bands, Dianne Reeves, and Eartha Kitt were some of Theatre World Music Service’s clients for whom it provided musical scores for  performances and recording sessions.  Choral and orchestral music score arrangements for the Broadway arranger Howard Roberts were written for the Alvin Ailey dance concerts as well as the The Boys Choir of Harlem concerts and recordings.

Magazine Article by THE  HISTORY OF AFRICAN - AMERICAN MUSIC

Since we are all God’s children, what makes us - people of African descent - different? What culturally distinguishes us from others?

The African Gustaavas Vassa wrote in 1789, “We are almost a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets.”

In her book The Music of Black Americans: A History, Dr. Eileen Southern tells us that foreign visitors who came to the shores of Afrika found political organizations of kings, governors, and noblemen or lesser forms of clans, tribes or kinship groups.  As they traveled the 3,400 miles from Senegal to Angola (also know as The Gold Coast, The Ivory Coast, and The Slave Coast), they experienced music as primary in the lives of African people.

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Gwen MOTEN

Chief Executive Officer

Gwen Moten was recognized for her accomplishments to the world of Opera, Classical Music and the Negro Spiritual by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, the Opera Nova, and The National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Northern Virginia at their 2013 Vocal Arts Competition for Emerging Artists in honor of "Denyce Graves", an African-American mezzo soprano opera singer who is recognized worldwide as one of today’s most exciting vocal stars.

 

This competition seeks to provide a competitive arena where young talented and gifted classical vocal performing Black artists between the ages of 18 and 30 can demonstrate their artistic abilities.  

 

The vocal contest took place in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the historic Walker United Methodist Church, 4102 North Glebe Road.

 

Ms. Moten was named Honorary Chair for the 2013 Vocal Arts Competition and gave stirring remarks with historical perspectives to the contestants and the attendees on African Americans artists in the genre of Classical Music