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Performances, honorees and winners combine for an ideal afternoon at the Tribute to the Classical Arts.

By David Lee Simmons

Sunanda Nair, winner of Best Ethnic Dance Performance, performs for the audience.

Photo by Donn Young

He may not have appeared in person, but the spirit of Moses Hogan filled the 10th annual Tribute to the Classical Arts luncheon held Feb. 5 in the La Nouvelle Ballroom of the Hotel Monteleone.

Hogan, who suffered a serious stroke last fall, was unable to accept the Outstanding Contribution to the Classical Arts award given him this year. Roger Dickerson, who recently retired as the university choir director and music coordinator at Southern-New Orleans, delivered a moving tribute to the man who has been credited for bringing the American Negro spiritual to symphony orchestras around the world. Hogan's parents accepted the award in his place, and the Dillard University Choral Ensemble (under the direction of S. Carter Davenport) performed two works -- one written by Hogan and another that inspired his work.

The program began with awards honoring outstanding achievement in classical music, opera and dance, with WDSU-TV anchor Norman Robinson serving as master of ceremonies. Loyola's Dean Angeles received the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by Robinson and last year's winner David Morelock. The Arts Council of New Orleans' Shirley Trusty Corey presented this year's Arts Education Award to the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, accepted by executive director John Fairlie. And Jeri Nims was a popular winner of the Arts Patron Award after having touched the lives of multiple institutions with her philanthropy for the performing arts. University of New Orleans Chancellor Greg O'Brien and NOCCA Institute's Sally Perry joined in presenting the award to Nims.

Several performances delighted the sell-out crowd of 350. UNO graduate piano student Dilyara Shiderova performed a pre-program set, followed by an aria from Gianni Schicci by Xavier University's Opera Workshop -- nominated for Creative Achievement in Opera. The Delta Festival Ballet's Jessica Touchet delivered a solo selection from Hansel & Gretel, which was nominated for Best Ballet Production. Best Ethnic Dance Performance winner Sunanda Nair performed a selection. And members of the Newcomb Dance Company presented an excerpt from the award-winning"Concentric Concerto," choreographed by Alice Pascal Escher.
This event is made possible through the generous support of Gambit Weekly, WWNO 89.9 FM Radio, the Hotel Monteleone, Bitsie Werlein, Coleman E. Adler & Sons, Uptown Costume & Dancewear, and Smith & Wollensky Restaurant. Proceeds from the Tribute to the Classical Arts benefit the Foundation for Entertainment Development and Education.