Chicago’s own Jr. F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam), Timothy Muhammad II won an international virtual music competition, allowing him to perform on the piano at the winners’ concert in New York City at the notable Carnegie Hall. Brother Timothy was among the winners from around the world who showcased their musical talents during a four-day exhibition.
On December 18, Brother Timothy joined international youth performers who dazzled spectators with brilliantly executed classical musical performances.
Parents Nadiyah and Timothy Muhammad Sr. primarily homeschool their son, and music is a huge component of their curriculum.
“Timothy plays two instruments,” Sister Nadiyah said. “He primarily plays the piano, however, he started with the violin. He’s been playing the piano for three years and the violin for six years.
He is a member of the Nation of Islam’s Musical Ensemble, and on tour, he plays both instruments. While performing with the Ensemble, he plays the violin; as a soloist, he plays his primary instrument, the piano.”
Brother Timothy Sr. said: “My wife stated to me before we had children, that she wanted a classical musical family.”
Sister Nadiyah shared that her 11-year-old son carries a mature demeanor and when it comes to music, he is very self-disciplined. Brother Timothy II takes it upon himself to devote time and effort to perfecting his craft.
“He entered an international competition that his piano instructor suggested for a chance to perform at Carnegie Hall, and won,” she said.
The Grand Prize Virtuoso, an international virtual music competition based in Europe, is the contest Brother Timothy II was encouraged to enter. The competition had many participants across all age groups.
According to its website, “The International Music Competition ‘Grand Prize Virtuoso’ is open to all nationalities and ages in strings, piano, wind, vocal and chamber music, each discipline is divided into different age categories.”
Participants were required to submit video/audio recording materials for the audition. The final selections of winners were based solely on the same recordings submitted. Multiple winners were chosen in each age category.
Winners who received an invitation to play at the winners’ concert, and decided to decline the invitation and not travel, will receive their prize diploma and a 3D sculpted medal by mail (for free). “Our competition wants to encourage young musicians to perform and grow.
We believe that our competition can offer many benefits to our participants, and help to build their confidence and realize their dreams,” the website states.
Dr. Seungwha Baek, piano instructor at The Merit School of Music in Chicago, and Reverend Claire Kim, private music instructor, both commented to The Final Call regarding the progress made by Brother Timothy II.
He’s been playing the piano for three years, and in his first year, he won the Illinois Music Association competition. In his second year of playing the piano, he won the Chicago Area Music Teacher Association competition.
Brother Timothy II, said, “Classical music competitions have mostly White people and Asian people, and not that many Black people.”
Sister Nadiyah expressed gratitude for the Nation of Islam’s National Student Secretary and member of the Shura Executive Council Sa’ad Alim Muhammad, Student Minister Arthur Muhammad of Mosque No. 7 in New York, and many other New York Muslims, attending the performance in support of Brother Timothy II.
“The only reason why I was in New York, was to support Brother Timothy. The entire show was phenomenal and young Timothy absolutely more than held his own among these stellar young performers,” Student Secretary Sa’ad Muhammad said.
Photos courtesy of Timothy and Nadiyah Muhammad
According to its website: “The International Music Competition ‘Grand Prize Virtuoso’ attracted applicants from all over the world (71 countries): Albania, Anguilla, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.”
“I would encourage parents to put their young children in the arts, and obviously some children will gravitate to the arts and some will not.
However, it is really on the parents to make it available to the children to see if Allah (God) has buried a gift in their child to be uncovered and discovered if they were exposed to the arts,” Student National Secretary Sa’ad Muhammad said.
Brother Timothy Sr. emphasized supporting his son’s gift: “Performing on the piano is my son’s assignment, his worldwide mission, and God has sent people to get him ready. There is no plan B.”
Shawntell Muhammad can be contacted at [email protected].