CRENSHAW HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENTIris Stevenson Music Wing

5010 11th Avenue • Los Angeles, California 90043 • (323) 290-7708

Dr. Sylvia Rousseau, Principal

Iris Stevenson, Vocal Music • Al Tarver, Instrumental Music

Crenshaw High School Elite Choir is a non-profit organization based uponthe principle of Shared Experiences and Common Ground™. We believein creating a "classroom without walls". Music with an international flavorand intercontinental travel is emphasized as the exploration of CommonGroundthrough worldwide learning ensues. Global exchanges are ac-tively pursued, greatly encouraged, and anxiously anticipated as theprospective classroom setting unfolds. We are multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and based on a family concept.

Under the direction of Professor Iris Stevenson,the Choir has been considered "Ambassadorsof Goodwill". Their unique musical flair invarious genres and youthful presentation

have delighted audiences since 1986. As “Goodwill Ambassadors” to England, theygave a thrilling Command Performance for HRH Prince Charles of Wales at St.James's Palace after his US visit to Crenshaw High School. During that same tour,the Choir performed for the Royal Family of Prince Rainier in Monaco. Commandperformances have entertained President Kim Dae-Jung and the General Assemblyof Korea, the Congressmen of Japan and numerous Heads of State.

Crenshaw Elite Choir has competed fiercely during the World ChoirGames. We began our cultural exchange by winning the JamaicaJazz Festival held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from 1987 - 1991 andthe Worldwide Music Festival held in Nice, France from 1992 - 1996.During the 2002 Busan Choir Olympics held in Busan, Korea DuringOctober 19-27, 2002, we were honored with two gold medalsand proclaimed Overall Olympic Champion. Our triumphant returnto the 2006 World Choir Games in Xiamen, China produced stiff

competition from over 400 choirs and 85 nations. Once again, we were favored with one Gold Medal and twoSilver Medals in highly competitive categories. In Graz, Austria, the Crenshaw Elite Choir was featured in theworldwide premiere of “We Are The World” ORF-TV broadcast. During the toughest competition, we wereawarded the Silver and Bronze medals.

Professor Stevenson presented a paper on the historical aspect ofCrenshaw High School Elite Choir's influence on Europe during the "Aprilin Paris" 1996 International Music Conference at the Sorbonne. • TheMinistry of Education in France, under the leadership of PresidentJacques Chirac began to sponsor teaching segments with theirMusic Teachers in 1999. • In 2000, Crenshaw Choir’s Tour includedbrilliant performances at Sejong Cultural Center and featured aCommand Performance for the unification of the 100 families betweenNorth & South Korea. This concert included the Heads-of-State of SouthKorea, North Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Our musical responsibilities

included a five-year series of Unity Concerts, television appearancesin the participating countries and workshop/ teaching segments foreducators and students. • During the millenial tour of His Holiness,the Dalai Lama, Crenshaw ‘s Choir performed two (2) CommandPerformances for this Tibetan world leader while singing the TibetanNational Anthem. • April 2003, Crenshaw opened the CentennialCelebration of Korean Comunity at the Hollywood Bowl in the KoreanLanguage. • Other summits include the celebration of the signing of TheMaastricht Treaty in the Netherlands. • June 2009, Crenshaw EliteChoir performed for President Barack Obama in Los Angeles and hada private audience with him after his speech. Thrilling! One EliteChoir representative visited PresidentObama’s grandmother “Mama SarahObama” at the family residence in Kenyawith Congresswoman Diane E. Watson dur-ing December of 2008. • July 2011, Cren-shaw Elite Choir traveled to Beijing &Shanghai, China with the Los Angeles UrbanLeague, as an integral part of PresidentObama & First Lady Michelle Obama’s inia-tive to open and improve relations with the new upcoming young leadersof this generation. Sponsored by UPS, Mattel, Starbucks and several

businesses, we were able to establish lasting friendships and performance opportunities. • April 2012, CrenshawChoir returned to the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate ten (10) years of Korean Community Celebrations.

In December of 1993, the movie Sister Act 2: Back in the Habitstarring WhoopiGoldberg, was released. This movie was inspired by the life and music of ProfessorIris Stevenson and the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir. Fujisankei TV has justaired a highly rated documentary about Crenshaw High School Elite Choirentitled Angel’s Flight.Two additional documentaries, Madonna’s I Am BecauseWe Are and Rapping With Shakespearehave included the Crenshaw Choir.

We have also been afforded "high visibility" due to performances with various guest artists: Stevie Wonder •Chaka Khan • Ray Charles • Take 6 • Kirk Franklin • Prince • Whitney Houston • Mariah Carey • Jennifer Hol-iday • Jennifer Hudson • Meredith Brooks • Queen Latifah • Jessye Norman • Dianne Reeves • Paul Simon• Ice T • Brian McKnight • Shirley Caesar • Cho Young-Nam • Smokey Robinson • Carole King • Billy

Crystal • Robin Williams • Whoopi Goldberg • Lou Rawls • PeaboBryson • James Ingram • Roberta Flack • Michael Bolton • JoshGroban, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Ludacris, Ozomatli at 2012Playboy Jazz Festival, et al.

Our feature stories include the September 2011 cover of the globallyrecognized Choral Director Magazine • The 5-page article in theCalendar section of the Los Angeles Times, and several Communitycirculations, such as The Wave • The Sentinel • LA Watts Times •The Korea Times • The Los Angeles Magazine • National & Internationalpublications including Jet • People • Le Jazz Hot • and many over-seas publications from England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Korea,Japan and China.

The producers of several national and international television shows have featured the Crenshaw Elite Choiron their shows including 2012 Quarterfinals of The Voice with Christina Aguilera, http://youtu.be/Y9KcapIb7-U• The 2011 American Music Awards with Enrique Iglesias and Ludacrison ABC http://youtu.be/ob-4A_zjDrs• America’s Got Talent withScott Alexander http://youtu.be/HPSqddXg55o, • Morning Joe withJoe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski • Dr. Phil • Extreme Makeover:Home Edition • NBC NOW with Tom Brokaw & Katie Couric • Extra• BET Awards • HBO Comic Relief VI • HBO Chez Whoopi! •CNN ShowBiz Today • E ! Entertainment TV • KNBC, KABC, KCBS,KTLA, KTTV, KCAL, KCOP, KCET & Telemundo. In January 2006 &2007, NBC selected us to open the Kingdom Day Parade honoring Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. Overseas network tapings have includedFrance 3 • France 4 • KBS & MBC in Korea and NHK in Japan.http://youtu.be/13RYBs7YU_0

Crenshaw Elite Choir has performed as Special Guest Artists with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra (JohnDennison) in the World Premiere of the choral version of "Some Trust In Chariots" written by Iris Stevenson •The Yellowjackets (Russell Ferrante) in the World Premiere of the Maya Angelou Inaugural Poem "On The PulseOf The Morning" at the 1996 Playboy Jazz Festival • Los Angeles Philharmonic (Yvette Devereaux) with theWorld Premiere of "The Easter Suite" written by Joe Westmoreland & Charles May • Hollywood Bowl Orchestra(H.B.Barnum) in the World Premiere of "Stand And Be Proud" also featuring Iris Stevenson's rendition of"America" • Cerritos Symphony (Gail Deadrick) "The Colors of Christmas" • Disney's Young Musicians Orchestraalso featuring the World Premiere of "The Power Of The Dream" the 1996 Olympic Theme written by DavidFoster • Critically acclaimed “Tribute to George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess” was arranged by Iris Stevensonand performed for Quincy Jones in May 1998. This same performance was requested at the 1998 Nice JazzFestival as the Choir appeared with Lionel Hampton.

Our discography includes Josh Groban’s award winning rendition of “YouRaise Me Up” with Crenshaw Elite Choir was recorded ”Live at the GreekTheatre” and released late 2005 • Michel Polnareff’s acclaimed recordingof “When I’m In Love” and video was taped by Crenshaw for his highlysuccessful 2007 World Tour following the original Virgin Records release inMarch 1998 “Je Reve D’un Monde “ with Iris Stevenson as Vocal/Choral Arr.Producer & Arranger • February 1996 Savage Rose "Black Angel" MegaTitle Cut "Black Angel" with Iris Stevenson Vocal/Choral Arr. & George

Duke,Producer Billboard: #1/Denmark #2/Europe Triple Platinum • November 1998 Savage Rose “Tameless”Mega Title Cut "Black Angel" with Iris Stevenson Vocal/Choral Arr. GOLD RECORD Billboard: #1/Denmark#2/Europe • October 1998 Janice Robinson “It Really Don’t Matter” Warner Bros “The Color Within Me” with IrisStevenson Vocal/Choral Arr. • Meredith Brooks “Deconstruction” project. We appeared on the Tonight Showstarring Jay Leno. Our independently produced CDs include “Changes”, “Louez-l’Eternèl”and “Church ofGod in Christ Centennial Celebration: The Heritage Years”

2008 “We Are The World” ORF TV’s telecast is the first European Choral Special broadcast• July 2002 Celebration of Gospel in Antibes, France on France 3 International Jazz FestivalFull 1 Hour Special (French/English) • August, 2001 Live From the USA Full Concert forAFN - Korea United Nations Command ROK-US forces • August, 2001 KBS TV VarietyShow “Arirang” with Cho Young Nam was the first television special featuring an African-American Choir singing in Korean • July 26 1996, France 3 “Evening at Josephine's” inPerigueux, France. The full concert aired from Josephine Baker's Chateau.

Crenshaw Elite Choir provided music on Friday, June 18, 2004at the celebration of the life of the legendary Ray Charles duringthe private family celebration and the observances at First AMEChurch which was simulcast on all networks and internationallyon the internet. Afterwards, this choir completed the extensivemusical tribute at the mausoleum with Joe Adams and theRobinson family. We will always be grateful to our benefactors-- Mr. Ray Charles and Mr. Joe Adams.

A tremendous honor commemoratingthe global work of Crenshaw HighSchool Elite Choir has been thenaming of our Music Building the IrisStevenson Music Wing. This honorfollows the naming of the new FineArts building in Tarare, France forIris Stevenson by the Ministry ofEducation of France under theleadership of President JacquesChirac.