Michigan Arts Orgs to Support | May 27, 2025
- John Sloan III
- May 27
- 5 min read
Videmus & Thumb Kids Theatre
This week, we turn our attention to two more Arts Orgs with different missions, but the same unyielding passion. While Videmus and Thumb Kids Theatre have different target audiences, both focus on increasing access to the arts, arts education, and the belief that theatre and music can make a vital impact in someone's life.
Videmus | Ann Arbor, MI | www.videmus.org | www.facebook.com/VidemusMusic
“Videmus is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the promotion of concert works by African American, women and under-presented composers. Our vision is to provide access to marginalized composers through educational programming, performance opportunities, and scholarly research. We provide a vital service to our field by collaborating with other organizations to strengthen the diverse perspectives within our industry.”
About:
Videmus, Inc. was founded and incorporated (501c3) in Massachusetts (1986) by Vivian Taylor. In its first ten years, Videmus presented concerts in New England and world premiere recordings of African American composers such as William Grant Still, Donal Fox, T.J. Anderson, David Baker, Olly Wilson, George Walker, Undine Smith Moore, Florence Price, Julia Perry, Margaret Bonds, and Betty Jackson King.
In 1997, Videmus appointed Louise Toppin as its Director. Under her leadership, the organization to concretize a two-part recording strategy to prioritize the documentation of well-established composers such as Still, Baker, Bonds, Price, Moore, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Hall Johnson, Adolphus Hailstork, and many others) while simultaneously introducing newer composers such as Richard Thompson, Stephen Newby, William Banfield, Nkeiru Okoye, Robert Morris, and many more in world-premiere symphonic, chamber and solo recordings. Notable in our catalog is the world premiere vocal recordings of Leslie Adams and Robert Owens with tenor Darryl Taylor, the world premiere of William Grant Still’s opera (Highway One, USA), the first recordings of the Sphinx organization finals, and the world premiere recording of Leslie Adams’ 24 Etudes in two CDs (Maria Corley and Thomas Otten, pianists).
In addition to our recordings, Videmus has assisted many artists with repertoire, liner notes, and introductions to recordings that have received GRAMMY nominations, including Lawrence Brownlee and Will Liverman.
Other achievements are:
Creating a database (African Diaspora Music Project),
Curating concerts throughout the United States and Germany.
Creating scholarship programs (Lynn Bridges Award and The George Shirley Vocal Competition)
Creating conferences such as “Reflecting on the Past, Reaching Toward the Future” and "Videmus at 25"
Co-curating events such as “A Julia Perry Centennial Celebration and Festival”with James Blachly and Experiential Orchestra.
Publishing scores of African American composers with Classical Vocal Reprints, Hal Leonard, Hildegard Press, Carl Fischer, and Boosey and Hawkes.
Programs:
Videmus has continued to develop dynamic programs to assist performers and scholars. We created two programs, the Lynn Bridges Memorial Award and the George Shirley Vocal Competition to encourage the study of African American composers by the next generation of performers and composers. These programs have helped countless students explore and incorporate this repertoire into their musical programming.
Videmus also encourages research, and has curated several conferences in the United States and Europe. We are also the creator of the research tool African Diaspora Music Project (ADMP), a searchable database encouraging the exploration of hundreds of composers. We have shared this free database widely, partnering with organizations such as the Minnesota Orchestra and the League of American Orchestras to present concerts of repertoire contained within the database.
Videmus is the current copyright holder for Perry and has formed an alliance with Boosey and Hawkes to publish all of her unpublished works over the next five years. Directed by Toppin, and conductors James Blachly (Experiential Orchestra) and Christopher Wilkins (Akron Symphony Orchestra and Boston Landmarks Orchestra), and supported by Kellen Gray, Jean Bernard Cerin, Renée Gilliand, Ashleigh Gordon, Julius Williams, and research assistance, ADMP/Videmus will oversee the curation, editing, and release of new publications of Perry’s works in December of 2024.
Videmus has been at the forefront of assessing the concert music industry and responding with initiatives that provide quality materials to advance study and performance.
2024 National Association of Teachers of Singing Summer Intern Program with Louise Toppin and the Videmus publication "An Anthology of African and African Diaspora songs”
Recognizing the lack of available scores of music of African American composers and initiated a program to create anthologies for singers, cellists, and pianists in 2021. Since then, we have published Margaret Bonds’ choral work St. Francis’ Prayer with Hildegard Press, released twelve anthologies with Classical Vocal Reprints Publishing – Rediscovering Margaret Bonds a series in five volumes (one with Michael Cooper), Songs of Adolphus Hailstork (five volumes), Song of the Seasons by Valerie Capers, 47 Art Songs by Harry T. Burleigh (high and low volumes) with Jean Snyder and Ann Sears, and An Anthology of African and African Diaspora Songs, intended for use by university students.
Ways to Support:
There are plenty of ways you can support Videmus. Check out their store and purchase scores or recordings, or visit www.videmus.org/donate
Thumb Kids Theatre | Harbor Beach, MI | www.thumbkids.com | www.facebook.com/thumbkidstheatre
“At Thumb Kids Theatre, our mission is to provide a creative and supportive environment where children can explore the world of performing arts. We aim to foster a love for theatre in young people by offering a range of workshops, and performance opportunities.”
About:
Through our programs, we strive to build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork among our young performers. Our goal is to empower children to express themselves, unleash their creativity, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Through our productions, we hope to not only entertain audiences but also inspire and uplift our young actors, helping them grow into confident, empathetic, and expressive individuals.
Thumb Kids Theatre was established in 2022 and was dedicated to Mariana Wagoner. (1922-2023) She loved the Thumb of Michigan and Huron City was her home for all of her 101 years. She devoted herself to promoting and sharing the Arts. Diane and Henry Stewart, Lynda Bogel and Walter and Nilda Wagoner (her children) are supporting and encouraging these community theatre efforts in loving memory of her vibrant life.
Last Year’s Production: Beauty & The Beast, Jr.
Kindermusik:
Kindermusik (with Diane Stewart) is a joyful music and movement program that helps children grow, learn, and explore through songs, instruments, and activities – sparling creativity and a lifelong love of music!
Each class is meant for a parent/caregiver plus any number of children. Parents attend with children. Music and movement fun for ages 0-7yr.
Ways to Give:
Thumb Kids offers plenty of ways for you to Get Involved:
Volunteer
Intern
Sponsorship
Donate
Thumb Kids is a newly formed 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting health and encouragement for children and youth ages 5 through 18 years. Through the creative processes of producing plays and musicals, we get kids off their phones and into a healthy and vibrant teamwork setting. Under the guidance of a strong team of adults, kids and youth learn all the aspects of creating a stage production – choreography, musicianship, dance, voice development, prop and set construction, and more.
The production costs involved run between $15,000 and $20,000 per year, including royalty fees, sound system upgrades, costume rentals, salaries, and advertising. These costs are offset about 20% by student participation fees. We keep these fees as low as possible to afford the widest participation for our community.
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