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.