Strings of Color brings area minority musicians together

by Jacquinette Murphy of of North Dallas Gazette

The words 'Saturday school' sound like music to the ears of Ron Planks and the members of the Strings of Color Orchestra. Each Saturday at 10 am, the school bells may not be ringing at Williams High School in Plano, but you will most likely hear the cutting edge sound of a 20-student community orchestra group.

Xavier Hubbard, a tenth grade student, likes being a member of the Williams High School Campus Orchestra in addition to Strings of Color. “It is the freedom of it all. It is like you are here with friends and the cultural aspect of it is nice. You get to keep in touch with friends that no longer go to school here” Hubbard, in his fifth year as a violinist, added that he enjoys the extended relationship with the instrument.

“It is like a sense of camaraderie developed and the kids were able to relax. Maybe it is because there are no grades involved,” said Planks. “It is amazing what comes out when you place a group of people together with common background.

Mickala Johnson-Gomez, a senior at Hebron High School, plays cello in Strings of Color and she agrees with Planks and Hubbard. “It is more relaxed and everybody works together. It is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and to play a broad spectrum of music.

With their level of skill and unprecedented music repertoire, they are astounding their audiences while diversifying the sight and sounds of the modern-day orchestra. Strings of Color was founded by Planks in 2007 as a not-for-profit community organization designed to provide an orchestral experience for all young musicians. Specifically, the group brings together students from middle school to college level of experience and meld them into a team of exceptional talent.

While the group shows mastery of the orchestra classics, you may easily find your hand tapping to popular gospel, jazz, R& B and pop music selections like "Georgia On My Mind" or songs by Carlos Santana. Don't rule out hearing the group play theme songs from movies such as Schindler's List and James Bond. At the performances of Strings of Color, you are certain to hear something that you know in addition to the usual, according to Planks.

“We want to give them something that a mass audience can relate to. We are are not providing something just for the kids, but are exposing [the audience] to the arts, something that they have never seen.”

Planks is a 13-year school orchestra instructor and the assistant department head of the Williams High School Fine Arts department in the Plano Independent School District. He holds Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Sam Houston State University. He has also worked in the Bryan and Spring Branch Independent School Districts in Texas. His vision to begin a community orchestra sprouted from a personal desire and grew during a trip to Baltimore.

“I was visiting my sister and I heard of an all-African American adult orchestra that the Baltimore symphony had pumped money into called the Soulful Symphony.” Plank's dream started to blossom and soon he was tuning up to launch Strings of Color.

Planks also recalled his early experience as a string instrumentalist. “I remember being one of maybe two African Americans in my orchestra program.” He admits that there was a little taunting and it was a little different for him, but he had a good experience.

He also attributes the push toward success to the words of his mother, who passed from cancer before the vision was realized. “When I told her about Strings of Color, she said 'it is going to happen'. It is a drive to not let her words fall to the ground.”

Planks recalled his reaction to the first rehearsal of the group when he saw about 20 faces arrive to be a part of this pioneering effort. “I was so excited. I was like a kid in the candy store. It was amazing to see so many African American kids in the room.”

The group held its debut performance in February of this year during the The Sounds of Black History concert at the Eisemann Center in Richardson and has closed its first season there. Now in its second season, the group has retained most of the original members and have attracted a few new seasoned musicians.

University of Texas at Arlington student, Kellie A. Brooks, a junior who played the viola for nine years, contacted Planks after the debut performance. “I was so impressed that I looked them up online and joined,” explained Brooks. Her attendance at the performance was a part of a birthday gift from her uncle. “It was so unique to see an all-minority string group playing,” she summed. “It is like a rush”.

“It is bold, beautiful and peaceful,” described Okeche Akagha, a recent graduate of Austin College in Sherman, Texas and a former orchestra student of Planks. He could not wait to see the orchestra once he heard of its beginning. “I think that it is amazing that he has put together a chamber group. When I heard, I asked where was he going to get the people.” Akagha is an assistant conductor for the orchestra and is in his tenth year playing the viola. Being a part of Strings of Color provides him with dual benefits. “I am able to exercise my talent and still have fun. It is my way of serving the community.”

Strings of Color is gearing up to excel to new heights. The organization recently merged with the Veta L. Morriel Leadership and Arts Academy. This will allow the offering of theater classes and also open the door for youth mentoring, financial management classes and an after school program. The current leadership staff includes Evette Williams, who serves as the foundation director and Travis Johnson who will head the youth mentoring sessions.

The next chance to experience the uniqueness of Strings of Color will be on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church at 1233 State Highway 66 in Garland, Texas at 11 am with Senior Pastor Reverend Leonard O.Leach. For more information, please visit www.stringsofcolor.com or www.vlmla.org. If you are interested in supporting, sponsoring or participating in Strings of Color, please contact Ron Planks, 214-418-2399 or via email at ron@stringsofcolor.com.