06.18.12 A celebration of life honoring Oscar P. Duncan. 1988-2012 – Venice Paparazzi | Venice Beach CA, Photo Agency, Community Info, News, Events

Event: 06.18.12 A celebration of life honoring Oscar P. Duncan. 1988-2012

Following insert written by Venice Boys and Girls Club Erikk Aldridge (above)

On Monday, June 4, 2012, the Boys & Girls Club of Venice family was stunned by the fatal shooting of our colleague and friend Oscar Duncan. The Club was scheduled to host a donor appreciation event on June 14; however, in light of the current circumstances the Boys & Girls Club of Venice instead hosted Celebration of Oscar Night on Monday June 18 to share the music and spirit of Oscar. The event was open to every member of the club’s extended family, including club members, parents, volunteers, staff, community members and donors.

At the age of six, Oscar joined the Boys & Girls Club of Venice and proudly continued his membership through high school. In 2006, he won the Club’s Youth of the Year award, which is the highest honor that a Club member can receive. In 2006, Oscar accepted a position with the Club as a summer counselor through the Junior Staff program. He quickly proved that he was a keeper and was hired to work in the Club’s teen services department where he would energetically run the audio engineering program and music studio. In May, he received his five years of service pin from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In June, he earned a promotion and was set to begin working full-time in the Teen Services department. On June 4, 2012, Oscar ended his Earthly journey having touched the lives of countless people, young and old.

As a member of the Venice Community, Oscar attended Broadway Elementary School, Mark Twain Middle School, and Venice High School (Class of 2006). As a child, he played basketball and baseball at Oakwood Recreation Center and football for the Venice Bulldogs. He was also a member and captain of the Venice High School Football team. Demonstrating his fierce allegiance to giving back, Oscar served as a volunteer coach at the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. During the 2005-06year, he displayed remarkable leadership skills as president of Y.U.L.I.V. (Young Urban Leaders in Venice). Oscar was an incredible dancer and served as a dance instructor for P.I.S.E. (Positive Images of Self Expression).

A well-respected and accomplished singer, musician and producer, Oscar’s peers called him“ChoirBoy,” which subsequently became his stage name. His gospel upbringing, fused with a hip-hop, pop, country, R & B, and soul blend, defined his creative musical approach. A true artist, he poured his life experiences into his music and uplifted the broken hearted.

Oscar diligently worked to revitalize music because he believed that the art form had “lost its touch with today’s generation.” In 2007, Oscar established the Boys & Girls Club of Venice’s audio engineering programunder the direction of super producer and Venice resident Scott Litt. The compassionate mentor taught Club members the fundamentals of music production and recording.

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Photo event highlights. Photos by Venice Paparazzi’s Edizen Stowell