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Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II recently announced an upcoming partnership with São Paulo State University in Brazil.

President Brown joined Dr. Keith McCutchen, director of choral activities at Kentucky State University, at São Paulo State University to discuss ethnomusicology and diasporic parallels in the United States and Brazil. McCutchen left in late October for his fifth trip to the country to continue his development as a music educator.

“We look forward to hosting an Afro-Brazilian music symposium at Kentucky State with the Atwood Institute on Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal in 2019,” President Brown said.

President Brown also announced the institutions will be signing an academic exchange agreement.

McCutchen’s stay in Brazil also includes residency and concerts with Ottava Bassa, a men’s chorus, a performance in the Guri Santa Marchelina 80 Voice concert and the Camerata Antiqua de Curitiba.

During McCutchen’s absence, Dr. Carl H. Smith, a Kentucky State legend returned to lead the concert choir during his third tenure at the school.