AFRICAN SKETCHES is a four-movement suite inspired by the composer’s childhood years in Nigeria, her father’s homeland. “The Village Children at Play,” captures the children’s joyful energy, “Dusk” is a beautifully gentle memorial to Okoye’s first musical mentor, and “Dancing Barefoot in the Rain” is a scherzo with all the scenic charm of its title. This movement appears as the underscoring in Carnegie Hall’s social media campaign announcing their “CH” monogram. “Drums Calling” is a call-and-refrain between a mother searching for her daughter, and talking drums echoing her calls. The 12-minute AFRICAN SKETCHES makes an ideal suite for recitals, and each movement may be performed separately.

1. The Village Children at Play 2. Dusk 3. Dancing Barefoot in the Rain 4. Drums Calling