| ORGANIZATION PROFILE AND PROGRAM |
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| Board of Directors ~ DeBose Foundation |
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The DeBose Foundation, Incorporated
The DeBose Competition-Festival, established in l974 at Southern University (HBCU-Historically Black College & University, 1890) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is an annual Fine Arts Festival presented by The DeBose Foundation, Incorporated of Baton Rouge. The program commemorates the life and philosophy of Southern University Professor Tourgee DeBose (African American Concert Pianist) who was an innovative pioneer for more than thirty years, motivating scores of music students; and whose influence exemplified intense discipline and scholarship in pursuit of artistic excellence.
The Mission of the DeBose Competition-Festival is dedication to excellence in the areas of Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Music, and Literary). This program is designed to address the cultural needs of the community where schools have been subject to reduction and/or elimination of arts curricular and support in elementary and secondary education. The strength and longevity of the Competition-Festival is the result of university sanction and support, community involvement, and local, state, regional funding and national funding from the private and public sector(s).
Thirty years of programming have served the following purposes:
(1) To discover artistic talent among young performers and exhibitors who are contestants and
non-contestants;
(2) To provide a competitive milieu for students to instill standards of excellence and achievement
in the Fine Arts;
(3) To promote achievement by providing pre-professional presentation opportunities;
(4) To make available to the community tutelage, presentations, performances and exhibits
by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and dedicated local professionals;
(5) To provide scholarships, awards and certificates for contestants and participants at various
proficiency levels;
(6) To present forums, clinics and master classes open to teachers, parents, and students; and,
(7) To provide the community with a schedule of events designed to educate, improve the quality of
life and enhance general cultural awareness.
The DeBose Foundation, Incorporated (1986) is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a nonprofit organization, the Competition Foundation can be a recipient of various kinds of support through educational, civic, business and social organizations, in addition to those contributions made by individuals. Prominent credit of support and in-kind contributions will be made public; record of donations will be acknowledged immediately upon receipt. All financial documentation will be accorded the signature designation as specified by donor.
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| Tourgee Albion DeBose, Professor of Piano |
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TOURGEE ALBION DEBOSE
(AUGUST 20, 1894 – JULY 1, 1971)
Career Profile
A native of Gainesville, Florida, DeBose graduated from Fisk University with Music Honors. The success of his undergraduate study led to a full academic career during which DeBose was a three time scholarship recipient. First, at Oberlin Conservatory, then with the late Carl Friedberg of the Juilliard School of Music, and finally, under the Rosenwald Foundation at the Ecole Normale/Supérieure de Musique under founder, Alfred Cortot in 1932.
A Town Hall debut was successfully achieved in 1933 in New York, followed by appearances with the Kryl Symphony Orchestra. [Ref. 1940: The concert engagement of the Kryl Symphony Orchestra, America’s only touring concert organization, will be heard in the Auditorium October 2q at 9:00 p. m. This orchestra, composed of fifty players and three soloists, was organized thirty-two years ago by Eohumir Kryl, whom critics the world over consider the greatest cornetist of the present day.]
Appearances as featured pianist included New York, Philadelphia, Louisville, Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Atlanta. Many university engagements included Fisk, Howard, Notre Dame, Talladega, Lincoln and Southern University.Teaching positions included Howard University, Talladega College (1924-1940) and Southern University, the latter at which he spent the greatest number of years (c. 1944-1969).
Memberships included The B-Sharp Music Club of New Orleans, The National Association of Negro Musicians and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Influence on the Division of Music at Southern University was considerable as he not only taught piano, served as Chairman of the Piano Department, but also served as Head of the Music Division. The level of efficiency of operations and proficiency of teaching and performance reached a high level that attracted teachers and students of great ability and music talent. He performed solo piano recitals as a part of the University Lyceum attractions annually.
Work to instill great desire for perfection was projected throughout the State of Louisiana as he served as a consultant and judge in the LIALO (Louisiana Interscholastic, Athletic and Literary Association). Many standards of performance were established under his guidance.
Upon his leave from university duties, he maintained a full time Studio at his home in Baton Rouge, where he taught and held student recitals. He continued to perform with great skill and scholarship to the year of his death, 1971.
The DeBose name and reputation represent a tradition of artistic achievement and advocacy which serves as a foundation of professional artists today. Since his death in l971, the DeBose Foundation has discovered numerous links-of-legacy and recognition; from those who are identified as his colleagues and generations of students. During his tenure at Southern University, Professor DeBose exemplified the highest standards of musicianship, which he inculcated into all with whom he had contact.
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