Claflin University Kicks Off Lyceum Series with Toby Foyeh Orchestra and Dancers on Oct. 2

Claflin University will kick off its 2014-2015 Lyceum Series on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, with a performance by Toby Foyeh Orchestra and Dancers.

The performance is set to begin at 7 p.m. in the Moss Auditorium in W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. It is free and open to the public.

Toby Foyeh started playing and performing music at an early age in Nigeria, paying his dues through school bands in Ibadan and Lagos, as well as while studying in the United States. A band he formed with some high school friends went on tour in America as the Hugh Masekela’s Ojah Band. A self-taught musician, Foyeh eventually studied music at Berklee College of Music, Boston University and Howard University, where he also earned a degree in film directing. He has released three albums – “Here I Come,” “Jalolo” and “Lagos Ilu Eko.”

With his band Orchestra Africa, Foyeh has performed in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan and Africa. Orchestra Africa’s music – dubbed “Afrijam” – is a unique blend of traditional Nigerian music with rock, pop and jazz influences.

Foyeh composes, arranges and produces the band’s music, and sings with his back-up female dancers/singers. Orchestra Africa features traditional African instruments, including Gangan and Bata drums, and assorted percussion instruments, flutes, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, and lead and chorus vocals to create its sound. For more information, visit http://tobyfoyeh.com/.

Additional Lyceum Series events include:

• October 16, 2014 – Poet Nikki Giovanni, sponsored by the Program Committee and Academic Student Activities
• February 12, 2015 – An evening with opera singer Carolina Gibson, sponsored by the Program Committee and Academic Student Activities
• February 24, 2015 – Columbia City Ballet presents segments from “Off the Wall and on to the Stage,” an Alonzo Webster Wright Lyceum Series event

An additional Lyceum Series program will be held in April 2015 during Claflin’s Arts and Letters Annual Bash. All programs will be held in Moss Auditorium in W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center, and are free and open to the public.

For more information about Claflin University’s Lyceum Series, call Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff at 803-535-5233 or email pratliff@claflin.edu.