African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2009, 27067-27068 [E9-13408]
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27067
Presidential Documents
Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 107
Friday, June 5, 2009
Title 3—
Proclamation 8389 of June 2, 2009
The President
African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The legacy of African-American composers, singers, songwriters, and musicians is an indelible piece of our Nation’s culture. Generations of African
Americans have carried forward the musical traditions of their forebears,
blending old styles with innovative rhythms and sounds. They have enriched
American music and captured the diversity of our Nation. During AfricanAmerican Music Appreciation Month, we honor this rich heritage.
This legacy tells a story of ingenuity and faith. Amidst the injustice of
slavery, African Americans lifted their voices to the heavens through spirituals. This religious music united African Americans and helped sustain
them through one of the darkest periods in our Nation’s history. Years
later, spirituals contributed to the advent of a new form of music: gospel.
Both styles incorporated elements of African music and were rooted in
faith.
The African-American music tradition also reflects creativity and individualism. Blues, jazz, soul, and rock and roll synthesize various musical traditions to create altogether new sounds. Their novel chord progressions, improvisation, and mood showcase individual musicians while also creating
a cohesive musical unit. In addition, African-American composers have
thrived in traditional genres such as musical theater, opera, classical symphony, and choral music, providing their unique imprint and creatively
growing these forms of music. All of these contributions are treasured across
America and the world.
During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we recall the known
and unknown musicians who helped create this musical history. Their contributions help illuminate the human experience and spirit, and they help
us reflect on our Nation’s ongoing narrative.
erowe on PROD1PC63 with MISCELLANEOUS
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as AfricanAmerican Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public officials, educators,
and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate
activities and programs that raise awareness and foster appreciation of music
which is composed, arranged, and performed by African Americans.
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27068
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 107 / Friday, June 5, 2009 / Presidential Documents
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day
of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
[FR Doc. E9–13408
Filed 6–4–09; 11:15 am]
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Billing code 3195–W9–P
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 107 (Friday, June 5, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27067-27068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13408]
[[Page 27065]]
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Part II
The President
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Proclamation 8389--African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2009
Proclamation 8390--National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, 2009
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 107 / Friday, June 5, 2009 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 27067]]
Proclamation 8389 of June 2, 2009
African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The legacy of African-American composers, singers,
songwriters, and musicians is an indelible piece of our
Nation's culture. Generations of African Americans have
carried forward the musical traditions of their
forebears, blending old styles with innovative rhythms
and sounds. They have enriched American music and
captured the diversity of our Nation. During African-
American Music Appreciation Month, we honor this rich
heritage.
This legacy tells a story of ingenuity and faith.
Amidst the injustice of slavery, African Americans
lifted their voices to the heavens through spirituals.
This religious music united African Americans and
helped sustain them through one of the darkest periods
in our Nation's history. Years later, spirituals
contributed to the advent of a new form of music:
gospel. Both styles incorporated elements of African
music and were rooted in faith.
The African-American music tradition also reflects
creativity and individualism. Blues, jazz, soul, and
rock and roll synthesize various musical traditions to
create altogether new sounds. Their novel chord
progressions, improvisation, and mood showcase
individual musicians while also creating a cohesive
musical unit. In addition, African-American composers
have thrived in traditional genres such as musical
theater, opera, classical symphony, and choral music,
providing their unique imprint and creatively growing
these forms of music. All of these contributions are
treasured across America and the world.
During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we
recall the known and unknown musicians who helped
create this musical history. Their contributions help
illuminate the human experience and spirit, and they
help us reflect on our Nation's ongoing narrative.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as African-
American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public
officials, educators, and all the people of the United
States to observe this month with appropriate
activities and programs that raise awareness and foster
appreciation of music which is composed, arranged, and
performed by African Americans.
[[Page 27068]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of June, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. E9-13408
Filed 6-4-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P