African worlds through music

The 2017 African Studies Fall Lecture brings University of Mississippi professor George Worlasi Kwasi Dor to campus to present "African Worlds Through Music: Diversity, Historicity and Homology in African Music Cultures" on Thursday October 19 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel.

Dr. Dor is the McDonnell-Barksdale Chair of Ethnomusicology at Ole Miss. Dor bases his published articles, book chapters, and presentations on inductive research he has conducted on the themes of African music theory, African art music, African indigenous knowledge, creative processes, the African diaspora and dance drumming. In Ghana, Dor is widely recognized as a composer, performer, and teacher of contemporary Ghanaian art music. As an ethnomusicologist, composer, and director of the Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Dr. Dor has initiated and coordinated major milestone concerts at the University of Mississippi for which he composes commemorative works.

The lecture will also be a celebration of the twentieth anniversary of "African Perspectives," the long-running weekly program on WUGA-FM hosted by associate professor of comparative literature and director of the African Studies Institute, Akinloye Ojo. As anyone who lives within range of the local NPR signal can attest, African Perspectives is a genuine treat each week, as well as a jewel of rich cultural programming that few locales anywhere can boast. Congratulations to Dr. Ojo and the station on this milestone for the successful local show and welcome to campus, Dr. Dor.

The lecture on Thursday is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a reception outside the Chapel immediately afterward.

Image: Dr. George W.K. Dor