Tidewater Area Musicians, Inc. proudly carries a rich legacy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia as a branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians. Dedicated to preserving, promoting, and supporting the artistic achievements of African-Americans, the organization was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on April 24, 2020, with a mission to strengthen and advance local musicians and the arts throughout the community.
The Tidewater Area Musicians (TAM) Branch was originally founded in 1975 by Clarence Ross and a distinguished group of musicians and educators who shared a vision of fostering Black musical excellence in Hampton Roads. Among the founding members were D. Jerlene Harding, organizer and conductor of the TAM Youth Orchestra, Geraldine T. Boone, Ianthia V. Uzzle, Jeanette Wallace, and John J. Ballou.
Additional contributors who played a vital role in shaping the organization’s growth and impact included Fannie Hunt Banks, Daisy Holmes, Dolores Howard, Helen Hunt, Ann McInnis, and Diane Price — all respected artists and educators devoted to enriching the cultural landscape of the region.
Today, TAM continues to honor the dedication and accomplishments of its founders while building upon their vision through music education, artistic development, cultural preservation, and community engagement.
The Tidewater Area Musicians (commonly known as TAM) is a distinguished branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. serving the Hampton Roads and Tidewater region of Virginia. TAM has a long-standing legacy of promoting African American musical excellence, music education, youth development, and cultural preservation.
Historical records show that TAM became especially influential through its youth orchestra and educational programs under the leadership of the late D. Jerlene Harding, a celebrated Portsmouth music educator. In 1996, the Virginia General Assembly honored Harding in a formal resolution recognizing her as founder of the Tidewater Area Musicians Youth Orchestra approximately twenty years earlier. The resolution noted that she established the orchestra to keep students engaged in music after graduating from public schools and continued directing the internationally recognized ensemble after retirement.
Over the decades, TAM has nurtured generations of musicians throughout the Hampton Roads region. Educators, performers, and conductors associated with the organization have included respected leaders such as Geraldine Boone and Julius McCullough, both of whom served as past presidents of TAM.
TAM has maintained a strong relationship with colleges, churches, schools, and community arts organizations throughout the region. The organization sponsors concerts, scholarships, workshops, competitions, and youth music opportunities that celebrate Black classical music traditions and African American composers. Recent activities have included the TAM Concert Series in Norfolk featuring distinguished artists such as Brendon Elliott, violinist, soprano Dr. Bianca Jackson and cellist Dara Hankins.
The branch continues to operate within NANM’s Eastern Region. Current NANM branch listings identify TAM in Hampton, Virginia, under the leadership of President Lorraine M. Bell.
Former presidents were Mrs. Geraldine T. Boone followed by Julius E. McCullough
Today, TAM remains an important cultural institution in Hampton Roads, preserving the legacy of Black music while mentoring young musicians and strengthening community arts education across the region.
Officers
Julius E. McCullough President Brenda Walston, Secretary Beatrice Spady, Financial Secretary
James L. Rivers, Treasurer Rev. Dr. James Edwards, III, Chaplain
MembershipGeraldine T. Boone Gregory W. Gardner Shirley Nottingham Frank T. Elliott Beatrice Spady James L. Rivers Vanessa Blackwell Ann McInnis Margie Haynes Elizabeth Eccles Lorraine M. Bell Amber Garrett Daniel Hine Gail Hinton Copeland Rev. Dr. James Edward, III Devisa Everette Doc Christian Vanessa Blackwell, Devaughn Q. Scott-Smith Brenda Walston Frank T. Elliott Dante Copeland
James L. Rivers, Treasurer Rev. Dr. James Edwards, III, Chaplain
MembershipGeraldine T. Boone Gregory W. Gardner Shirley Nottingham Frank T. Elliott Beatrice Spady James L. Rivers Vanessa Blackwell Ann McInnis Margie Haynes Elizabeth Eccles Lorraine M. Bell Amber Garrett Daniel Hine Gail Hinton Copeland Rev. Dr. James Edward, III Devisa Everette Doc Christian Vanessa Blackwell, Devaughn Q. Scott-Smith Brenda Walston Frank T. Elliott Dante Copeland