Southwest Collection Texas Tech University 9Lh61iock's Home Owned Box 4090 Lubbock, TX 79409 FIFTEEN CENTS WEST Wednesday, February 16, 1977 Twenty-Eight Pages (In Two Sections) TEXAS TIMES Dedicated to Informing the Citizens of West Texas Concert Singer George Shirley Talks to Lubbock Blacks In town to perform "The Music the Army he made his debut at 25 of Black Folk" in concert at the years of age with the Woodstock Texas Tech University Center Opera Company in New York. Theater, 8:15 Tuesday evening, Ironically, the Woodstock Com- George Shirley talked with a pany had offered Shirley a role group of black Lubbockites. One even before he completed his of America's finest tenors today, reenlistment in the Army. Two Shirley is interested in this own years later in a fantastic rise in geneology and in the history of his career, George Shirley, 27 blacks all the way back to our years old, debuted at the African roots. "When people ask Metropolitan Opera. Shirley what I'm doing singing opera," believes fate more than any other Shirley related, "I say probably one things is reponsible for the what I would have been doing if success of his career. His metoric my ancestors had not been rise and reputation as a singer, dragged out of Africa, only in however, testify to his talent and another language." Shirley ex- professionalism. plained that Africans entertain Shirley has sung in Europe and with total performance. Rather in Israel as well as all over the than a poem or a song, drama, United States. He admits to vocal music and dance go together enjoying travel and that he has as a whole—a kind of opera. considered spending a year or so Opera as we know it is a living in Italy or Amsterdam. European art form, written in Shirley's wife, who is an Art European languages, therefore teacher, and his son, age 10 and European audiences, Shirley daughter, a 19 year old Rutgers finds, are more knowledgeable student sometimes, especially in about it. Both white and black the summer months, are able to Americans come to opera with travel with him. The Shirleys reticence because of the language live in New Jersey close to New differences particularly. York City. The singer's travels Turning to his own career, brought him to Lubbock once Shirley revealed that he never set before when he sang a program of It appears as though young Clayton Harris is asking a Times photographer to wait until he finishes his meal out to become an opera singer. "I spirituals arranged by John before letting him take his picture. In the second picture, little Harris agrees to let his picture be taken. knew nothing about it until I was Carter in 1969 with the Texas Harris was a special guest of Ms. Beatrice Harris, his mother, at a special function last week. (Times Photo) in high school." He had, however, Tech symphony Orchestra. Asked studied voice for years in the if he met any black Lubbockites Detroit Public Schools and in on that visit, Shirley could not Ebeneezer AME church where he remember meeting any. "When I County Judge to Fill Commissioner Post performed with the choir and visit a place," he said, "I gave a number of recitals. For a concentrate on what I have to do by Cliff Avery Friends found his body early waiting until another computer year and a half after graduating there so that I can leave a If you want to be a county Thursday afternoon. Local offi- vote firm could be consulted. from Wayne University in memorable performance, but I commissioner, County Judge Rod cials attended Arrant's funeral in •tabled until their next meeting Detroit, Shirley taught music at look for blacks in the audience Shaw says he'll at least talk to you Slaton Saturday. a request by Constable Allen Miller High School there. Miller wherever I go. If any blacks to fill the vacancy created by the When Shaw determines Ar- Meurer for a deputy. Ransom was then one of two black high attended that 1969 concert, they death last week of Pct. 2 Com- rants' successor, the commission- Canyon property owners ap- schools in Detroit. His teaching did not come back stage." missioner Max Arrants. ers' court will contain a majority peared to back up the request, career was interrupted by a two Speaking of his role as Artist in Shaw told commissioners that of new faces. Pct 1 Commissioner but commissioners indicated Residence at Morgan State they'd wait for Arrants' succes- year hitch in the U.S. Army. under state law, it's his Edgar Chance and Pct. 3 Oddly enough it was in the Army College, Shirley said that he tries responsibility to fill the vacant Commissioner James Lancaster sor, before taking action on the to help students relate better to request. that Shirley met a voice teacher seat. The county judge said he'd began their terms on the court six who was himself a former opera the material they perform. He welcome applications to the post, weeks ago, replacing Arch Lamb •heard a report on the status of works with them on interpreta- county jail improvement. Archi- singer. That teacher persuaded seeking someone who could and Les Derrick who retired. George Shirley that with a bit tion and on overcoming any "fulfill all responsibilities not only Pct. 2, from which Arrants' tech Arnold Maeker said that hesitancy to approach material in prospect that the present county more training he could have a to the precinct, but to the county successor will be chosen, includes career in opera. Shirley said he a foreign language. While their as well. most of the southeast portion of facility could be brought up to regular teachers at Morgan State state standards for a reasonable reenlisted for another year so he "I have not promised this the city and county. train them, Shirley is able to give cOst looked dim, but said he'd could have income to get the position to anyone. It's open to all In other action, commissioners: continue to explore the alterna- training he needed. Upon leaving Continued On Page Four well-qualified applicants." •delayed action on a computer- ized voting system for the county, tives and report again in a month. Arrants died Thursday in Lubbock after a heart attack. He Dept. of Public Welfare Seeking had complained of pains and had NAACP Membership Votes checked into a local motel to rest. Suggestions from Citizens No for More School Bonds Voices Chorale Individuals wishing to offer hearing sites. Therefore, the The members of the Lubbock "We want the citizens of suggestions regarding the Medi- study group is inviting further Branch of the National Associa- Lubbock to know that we are just caid program in Texas are invited recommendations. Ensemble In tion for the Advancement of not doing this for the sake of just to send written comments by The Medicaid program is Colored People (NAACP) voted doing something, we're sincere March 1 to John Frannea, administered by the State Concert Here unanimously last Sunday after- with our efforts," he concluded. Medicaid Task Force, State Department of Public Welfare for noon to uphold the decision made Another executive committee Department of Public Welfare, the benefit of needy dependent The sensational Voices Chorale by the executive committee member of the branch and school John H. Reagan Building, Austin, children who are deprived of Ensemble, under the direction of recently concerning the upcoming board member, Ms. Joan Y. Texas 78701. support of one parent for any Elder Levi Lenley, will be school bond election. Ervin, said: "As I see it, I realize All such comments, along with reason and for the benefit of appearing in two concerts this After limited debate, by that the majority rules, but I testimony gathered at a series of needy aged, blind, and disabled week. several members who opposed want the citizens of Lubbock to public hearings over the state, persons. The Department has Their musical recital will be the decision reached by the know that I will vote for the will be considered as Task Force budgeted $734 million for medical held Saturday evening, Feb. 19, executive committee in their 7 to school bond." members prepare an evaluation of services in this fiscal year, 63 per at 8 in at Jerusalem Temple 3 vote, the branch went on record She went on to add: "If this is a the Medicaid program and their cent of which is derived from Church of God in Christ. On as opposing the $11.9 million conflict of interest on my part, recommendations for cost con- federal funds. It serves some Sunday afternoon, Feb. 20, they tainment of the service. school bond election. This election then I will gladly give up the 680,000 individuals. will be appearing at the Bethel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 22. secretary books for which I am The statewide Task Force is A.M.E. Church at 3. "Not only did the branch decide responsible." "I feel very strong composed of 47 individuals. A Jamie Clements of Temple, Special guest soloist will be to oppose the election, I was about the passing of these bonds series of hearings have been held chairman of the Welfare Board, Sister Sofa Williams of the given instructions by the which will improve our school over the state to afford appointed the Medicaid Task Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in membership to explore possible district," she concluded. recipients, health services pro- force to study the program and Denver, Colorado.