Click HERE to see photos from our
"If Only for One Moment" Scholarship Awards and Concert
May 18, 2007

Click below to read more about In Accord

Al McKenzie has worked with an impressive list of world-renowned musical talent including The Four Tops, The Spinners, Etta James, and Anita Baker. He even served as music director for the Temptations. But his next big stars will be African-American middle and high school students from the metropolitan Detroit area.

The local jazz keyboardist, and president/CEO of In Accord/AMAC Records, will identify other serious instrumentalists with his “If Only for One Moment” talent search and reward them with an opportunity to hone their craft at Interlochen Summer Music Camp. Gifted middle school students and high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are encouraged to submit a sample of their music to In Accord/AMAC Records by February 15. Four top winners will receive scholarships to Interlochen national music camp. (Two will be chosen from middle school and two from high school.)

McKenzie was fortunate to benefit from the institution during his youth. There was only one other African-American participant in the program the same time as he. Now McKenzie is an award-winning musician with two of his own jazz CD’s: “Is it Love” and “A Reason to Be”. So, he wants to afford that same opportunity to more African-Americans who may not otherwise have access to valuable training which is necessary for success.

“There’s a reason why there are not a lot of African-Americans in major orchestra assemblies,” McKenzie said. “It’s not because they’re not capable. It’s because they haven’t been exposed to opportunities. Interlochen was very pivotal for me. That’s where I met other students my age who were serious about perfecting their craft.” Interlochen draws art lovers, lifelong learners and the world’s most talented and motivated young people from all over the world to celebrate and create excellence in creative writing, dance, motion picture arts, music, theatre, visual arts and academics. In addition to McKenzie, other notable music alumni have included Gloria Estefan, pop singer; Cedric Dent, baritone and arranger for Take 6; and Nora Jones, jazz singer. Finalists for the scholarships were chosen May 1, 2007. Winners were honored during a fundraiser concert on May 18th at Fellowship Chapel, Detroit. Performances by Al McKenzie and AMAC Artists. Click here to see photos from this event.