CONCERT PIANIST ELDRED MARSHALL KICKS OFF 2007-2008 SEASON

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Eldred Marshall, 26, began his classical piano studies at six. The following year saw his first public performance. Then at 16 he made his orchestral debut with the Victor Valley Symphony Orchestra, playing the first movement of Brahms’s Second Piano Concerto.

Marshall’s 2007-2008 will officially begin in September in Portland, Oregon, where he will launch his “Beethoven Project” series, playing the 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven in seven concerts at the Portland Community Music School. He is also scheduled to make appearances in New Haven, CT, Columbus, OH, Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco, CA and Sacramento, CA. He will repeat his “Beethoven Project” series in eight concerts at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco in January and March of 2008.

He has performed all over the world, playing throughout the United States, Italy, the Republic of San Marino and Spain. His catholic solo repertoire spans almost 500 years, from Byrd to the music of the 21st Century. Additionally, he has a large repertoire when it comes to chamber music as well as piano concertos, as he is frequently sought after as an accompanist as well as a soloist.

Marshall is a member of a very small club: black concert pianists. “Classical music is fundamentally a European tradition,” he says. “However, blacks have long participated in the development of Western music, having becoming celebrated composers and performers. It’s a shame that they’re not better known.”

“Andre Watts is the first internationally recognized black concert pianist,” Marshall continues. “He is a pioneer.” Watts became well known thanks to conductor Leonard Bernstein, who introduced to a nationwide audience on CBS television in 1963. “When I attended his live concert in Pasadena when I was 10, it proved to me that it [becoming a black concert pianist] can be done.”

The situation for black performers in classical music continues to be rough, but Marshall feels fully charged to share his art with as many people as possible in spite of the odds. “Opportunities for us are still few and far between,” Marshall says. “However, I enjoy defying stereotypes.”

“Whenever I introduce myself as a pianist, it is always assumed that I play jazz or gospel. None of my white or Asian colleagues have to clarify or defend themselves in that manner. For some players, the most annoying question is, ‘Who is your favorite composer?’ My most annoying question is ‘How come you don’t play jazz or sing while you play?’ I’m not bitter about other peoples’ ignorance, but I see it as a chance to show that we are all fundamentally human – the difference is only skin deep.”

When he isn’t performing concerts, Marshall is in great demand as a teacher and as a lecturer. He teaches privately to beginners, although he immensely enjoys his advanced students and giving master classes.

“There is a real hunger for good music,” Marshall says. “One of the best treats anyone can give himself is to expose himself to great music. We all appreciate music. It’s what makes us human.”

Dedicating his life to classical music is second nature. After all, he responded to Johann Sebastian Bach’s music as a baby before he responded to words.

Eldred Marshall currently divides his time between Rancho Cucamonga and Sacramento, and can be reached via e-mail at emar4@aol.com.

909MODELS.COM GIVES MODELS THEIR BIG BREAK

(San Bernardino, CA) Regardless of age, sex or size, if you’ve wondered if you have what it takes to be a model for ads, commercials, or videos, here’s your chance to find out.
909models.com, the fastest growing modeling agencies in the Inland Empire, launches a one-day open casting call Saturday, May 20 in San Bernardino.
“We’re looking for new faces and fresh talent,” organizer Carl Dameron says, “People who want to work in Riverside, San Bernardino and surrounding counties. We have the clients, now we’re looking to expand our bank of models.”
Models, singers, dancers and actors are in demand, and your age, your sex, your race or your size doesn’t matter. “Advertisers and producers often want models that the average person can identify with tall short full figures beautiful or plain, we need people of all ages, sexes and sizes,” Dameron adds.
Just show up Saturday, May 20 looking your best (men in business attire, women in skirts or dresses, children dressed up). A professional photographer will be on-site for individual photo shoots. Models are asked to come camera-ready with their hair, make-up and accessories done.
“We want the models to show us their best look to include on the 909Models.com website,” said Dameron.
All models that come, will be added to 909Models.com’s talent roster, placed on their Web site and marketed to ad agencies, photographers and casting agents throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California.
Parents or guardian must accompany attendees under 18. “We want to make sure that parents approve of young peoples modeling career,” said Dameron whose two girls are also members of 909-Models.com.
The 909models.com web site currently shows a photo and the vital statistics, height weight, eye color and measurements of over 75 models. Last names and contact information are not shown to protect models privacy.
“When companies are looking for models they go to 909models.com and search for the model or talent they want, then e-mail the request and we go from there,” said Dameron.
909models.com’s schedules an appointment for the client to meet the model and if they have the right look they hire them and schedule the shoot.
Dameron got the idea for the 909Models.com after spending two week looking for models for a photo shoot.
“We went over budget because of the extra time, so I though there has to be a better way. I got the idea that if I could see models online I could find the right one faster and save time and money. The result is 909Models.com,” said Dameron.
“This opportunity is for real. No gimmicks, no surprises, no inflated fees just a lifetime $50 processing fee,” said Dameron.
The open call is Saturday, May 20th from 9-2 at the 909models.com office, 255 North “D” St., Suite 209, in San Bernardino. For details or with questions, call (909) 888-0017 or log on to the Web site at www.909models.com.

CONFERENCE TACKLES AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH PROBLEMS

(San Bernardino, Calif.) According to a San Bernardino County Department of Health report, African Americans in San Bernardino County die 13 years younger than whites. Many African American lives are shortened by illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer.
The Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference (www.healthyheritagemovement.com) offers speakers, information booths and interactive sessions aimed at improving the overall health and well being of the African American community, said Phyllis Clark, conference founder and president. The event will be held at California Baptist University, located at 8432 Magnolia, Riverside, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., July 28.
“The conference focuses on the major health and wellness issues in the African American community such as cancer, heart disease and organ failure.” Clark said. The conference also focuses on mental health issues, which are often not discussed in the Black community. “Mental health advocates are finding there are many emotional health issues in the African American home such as substance abuse and depression,” Clark said.
Clark said the conference also features a presentation from keynote speaker Dr. Kimlin Ashing-Giwa, director of City of Hope’s Center of Community Alliance for Research & Education. Ashing-Giwa is a nationally renowned psychologist who specializes in minority health issues. City of Hope is a Southern California research, educational and treatment institution dedicated to fighting cancer.
There are also free screenings for HIV/AIDS, prostate cancer and blood sugar levels, Clark said.
Clark said the conference is organized by the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference Committee, which includes staff members from Riverside County Public Health Department, the American Cancer Society, the Southern California Witness Project, a breast cancer awareness group, Inland Agency, and several volunteers.
“Many of the diseases that African Americans suffer from are lifestyle related,” Clark said. “If we change our behavior, and change the behavior of the next generation, we can prevent many of these life-shortening health problems. The goal of this conference is to provide African Americans with the tools to make better lifestyles choices.”
“Although the information is targeted at the African American community, the conference is open to all nationalities,” Clark said.
For more information about the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 565-4431 or e-mail hhwcmovement@yahoo.com.

LOCAL AGENCY IS LOOKING FOR MODELS OF ALL AGES, SEXES AND SIZES

(San Bernardino, CA) Regardless of age, sex or size, if you’ve wondered if you have what it takes to be a model for ads, commercials, or videos, here’s your chance to find out. 909models.com, touted as the fastest growing modeling agency in the Inland Empire is looking for new models.

“We’re looking for new faces and fresh talent,” agency director Carl Dameron says, “People who want to work in Riverside, San Bernardino and surrounding counties. We have the clients, now we’re looking to expand our list of models.”

People for promotions, modeling, print ads, singers, dancers and actors are in demand, and your age, your sex, your race or your size doesn’t matter.

“Advertisers and producers often want models that the average person can identify with tall short full figures beautiful or plain, we need people of all ages, shapes and sizes,” Dameron adds.

“We want the models to show us their best look to include on the 909Models.com website,” said Dameron.

All models that come, will be added to 909Models.com’s talent roster, placed on their Web site and marketed to ad agencies, photographers and casting agents throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California.

Parents or guardian must approve of and accompany members under 18. “We want to make sure that parents approve of young peoples modeling career,” said Dameron whose two daughters are also members of 909Models.com.

The 909models.com web site currently shows a photo and the vital statistics, height weight, eye color and measurements of over 75 models. Last names and contact information are not shown to protect models privacy.

“When companies are looking for models they go to 909models.com and search for the model or talent they want, then e-mail the request and we go from there,” said Dameron.

909models.com’s schedules an appointment for the client to meet the model and if they have the right look they hire them and schedule the shoot.
“This opportunity is for real. No gimmicks, no surprises, no inflated fees just a lifetime $50 processing fee,” said Dameron.

For details or with questions, call (909) 888-0017 or log on to the Web site at www.909models.com.