Black conductors

Last updated

James DePreist (1936-2013), one of the first African-American conductors on the world stage, is congratulated by President George W. Bush after receiving the National Medal of Arts in 2005. Bush DePriest.jpg
James DePreist (1936–2013), one of the first African-American conductors on the world stage, is congratulated by President George W. Bush after receiving the National Medal of Arts in 2005.

Black conductors are musicians of African, Caribbean, African-American ancestry and other members of the African diaspora who are musical ensemble leaders who direct classical music performances, such as an orchestral or choral concerts, or jazz ensemble big band concerts by way of visible gestures with the hands, arms, face and head. Conductors of African descent are rare, as the vast majority are male and Caucasian.

Contents

History

1900s

Benjamin Steinberg conducting the premiere concert of the US's first racially integrated orchestra, the Symphony of the New World at Carnegie Hall on May 6, 1965 Photograph of premiere concert of the Symphony of the New World at Carnegie Hall.jpg
Benjamin Steinberg conducting the premiere concert of the US's first racially integrated orchestra, the Symphony of the New World at Carnegie Hall on May 6, 1965

In the early 1930s, African-American conductor Dean Dixon (1915–1976) found that his pursuit of conducting engagements was stifled because of racial bias. As a result, he formed his own orchestra and choral society in 1931. In 1940, three conductors: African Americans Everett Lee and Dean Dixon, and Jewish American Benjamin Steinberg "...attempted to circumvent the institutionalised racism in American classical music by forming an orchestra of black musicians. But the project failed for financial reasons..." Steinberg established an orchestra of 36 black and 52 white musicians, when he formed the Symphony of the New World in 1964. It was the first fully racially integrated orchestra in the US, and held its premiere concert at Carnegie Hall on May 6, 1965.

In 1945, Everett Lee was the "first African American to conduct a major Broadway production". Leonard Bernstein asked Lee to conduct On the Town , which marked the "first time a black conductor led an all-white production". [1] In 1953, Lee was the "first black musician to conduct a white symphony orchestra in the south of the States...in Louisville, Kentucky". [1] In 1955, Lee was the "first musician of colour to conduct a major opera company in the US with a performance of La traviata at the New York City Opera". In 1955 William Grant Still conducted the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra and became the first African American to conduct a major orchestra in the Deep South of the US. Henry Lewis (1932–1996) was the first African American to lead a major symphony orchestra. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1972. Lewis found it hard to "...take on the role of an authoritarian conductor, because such a role was unacceptable for a black man" at this time. [2]

In the early 1950s, impresario Arthur Judson, head of Columbia Artists Management told Everett Lee that despite Lee's excellent reviews for conducting, a black conductor could not conduct a white orchestra in the US. Judson stated that black instrumentalists could play solo concertos with white orchestras, dance in white productions and sing in white productions, but leading a white orchestra was not feasible. In 1969, James Frazier won the Cantelli Prize in Italy, and in the 1970s went on to conduct several important orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, London's New Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, the Belarusian State Philharmonic and the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. [3] Frazier, however, died young in 1981, just after being named conductor of the Bogota Symphony. [4]

Isaiah Jackson (born 1945) was the first black principal conductor of The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, in 1986, and became its music director 1987–90.

2000s

According to a 2004 article in The Guardian , "black conductors are rare in the classical music world and even in symphony orchestras it is unusual to see more than one or two black musicians." Canadian-born black conductor Kwamé Ryan, who studied music at Cambridge University and in Germany, made his professional conducting debut in 2004. Ryan says the "...message given to young, black people, particularly in North America, was... that you can be a star athlete; you can be a pop star...[but the] possibility for black children [to become a conductor] is not encouraged in schools or in the media." [5] Ryan states that young blacks have a lack of "...exposure [to black conductor role models] and it is a deficit that is passed on from generation to generation". Ryan said he has "no optimism for the future". [5] In the United Kingdom, the research by Scott Caizley argues how through the systemic removal of quality music education in UK state schools, many young people are losing opportunities which is contributing to fewer black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) young people participating in classical music. [6]

Notable individuals

Classical music

Historically, the vast majority of classical music conductors have been Caucasian. However, there are a small number of notable conductors who are of African, Caribbean or African-American ancestry. Contemporary Black conductors still comprise a small percentage of the conductors working today and are often overlooked for positions as chief conductors of major orchestras.[ citation needed ]

William Grant Still (1895-1978) was one of the first African Americans to conduct a major American symphony orchestra in the Deep South. William Grant Still by Carl Van Vechten.jpg
William Grant Still (1895–1978) was one of the first African Americans to conduct a major American symphony orchestra in the Deep South.
Henry Lewis and Marilyn Horne in 1961, photo by Carl Van Vechten Marilyn Horne and Henry Lewis.jpg
Henry Lewis and Marilyn Horne in 1961, photo by Carl Van Vechten
David Baker (left) leads the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra during the NEA Jazz Masters awards ceremony and concert in 2008. David Baker (far left) leading the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.jpg
David Baker (left) leads the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra during the NEA Jazz Masters awards ceremony and concert in 2008.

In jazz and popular music, the leader of an ensemble may also be called a bandleader.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonard Bernstein</span> American conductor and composer (1918–1990)

Leonard Bernstein was an American conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian. Considered to be one of the most important conductors of his time, he was the first American-born conductor to receive international acclaim. Bernstein was "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history" according to music critic Donal Henahan. Bernstein's honors and accolades include seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and 16 Grammy Awards as well as an Academy Award nomination. He received the Kennedy Center Honor in 1981.

Julius Baker was one of the foremost American orchestral flute players. During the course of five decades he concertized with several of America's premier orchestral ensembles including the Chicago Symphony and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erich Leinsdorf</span> American conductor (1912–1993)

Erich Leinsdorf was an Austrian-born American conductor. He performed and recorded with leading orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States and Europe, earning a reputation for exacting standards as well as an acerbic personality. He also published books and essays on musical matters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Conlon</span> American conductor

James Conlon is an American conductor. He is currently the music director of Los Angeles Opera and principal conductor of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James DePreist</span> American conductor

James Anderson DePreist was an American conductor. DePreist was one of the first African-American conductors on the world stage. He was the director emeritus of conducting and orchestral studies at The Juilliard School and laureate music director of the Oregon Symphony at the time of his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Gilbert (conductor)</span> American conductor and violinist

Alan Gilbert is an American conductor and violinist. He is Principal Conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra and Music Director of Royal Swedish Opera. He was Music Director of the New York Philharmonic from 2009 to 2017.

Árpád Joó was a Hungarian American conductor and concert pianist.

Peter Sandor Erős was a Hungarian-American conductor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Morgan (conductor)</span> American conductor (1957–2021)

Michael DeVard Morgan was an American conductor. He was music director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony for 30 years. He was also music director of the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and artistic director of Festival Opera in Walnut Creek, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ransom Wilson</span> American flutist and conductor (born 1951)

Ransom Wilson is an American flutist, conductor, and educator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Alan Miller</span> Musical artist

David Alan Miller is a multi-Grammy Award-winning American symphony orchestra conductor, and since 1992, music director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Miller served as assistant and associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1987–92 and music director of the New York Youth Symphony from 1982-88. He is currently also Artistic Advisor to both the Sarasota Orchestra and to The Little Orchestra Society in New York City.

Miguel Alberto Harth-Bedoya is a Peruvian conductor. He was formerly music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra from 2000 to 2020 and chief conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra from 2013 to 2020. Starting the Fall of 2023, Harth-Bedoya became the Mary Franks Thompson Director of Orchestral Studies and Music Director of the Baylor University Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Hostetter is an American conductor, the Ethel Foley Distinguished Chair in Orchestral Activities for the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, the Conductor and Artistic Advisor for the Sequitur Ensemble, and the Founder and Artistic Adviser to the Music Mondays chamber series in New York City. He has held appointments as the Director of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University where he also was the Director of Orchestral Studies/Associate Professor, the Music Director of the Colonial Symphony, the Music Director of the High Mountain Symphony, Artistic Director of the Winter Sun Music Festival, Music Director of the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and the Associate Conductor for the Broadway productions of Candide and George and Ira Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan McAdams</span> American conductor (born 1982)

Ryan Bell McAdams is an American conductor.

Isaiah Allen Jackson is an American conductor who served a seven-year term as conductor of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, of which he has been named Conductor Emeritus. He was the first African-American to be appointed to a music directorship in the Boston area. Dr. Jackson currently teaches at the Berklee College of Music, the Harvard Extension School, and the Longy School of Music.

Igor Konstantin Buketoff was an American conductor, arranger and teacher. He had a special affinity with Russian music and with Sergei Rachmaninoff in particular. He also strongly promoted British contemporary music, and new music in general.

Markand Thakar is an American conductor and music director emeritus of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO).

Victoria Ellen Bond is an American conductor and composer in New York City.

Samuel Krachmalnick was an American conductor and music educator. He first came to prominence as a conductor on Broadway during the 1950s, notably earning a Tony Award nomination for his work as the music director of the original production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide. He went on to work as a busy conductor of operas and symphony orchestras internationally during the 1960s and 1970s. He was particularly active in New York City, where he held conducting posts with the American Ballet Theatre, the Harkness Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Opera. His later career was primarily devoted to teaching on the music faculties of the University of Washington and the University of California, Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everett Lee</span> American conductor and violinist (1916–2022)

Everett Astor Lee was an American symphonic conductor, opera music director, violinist and music scholar. He was the first African American to conduct a Broadway musical, the first to "conduct an established symphony orchestra below the Mason–Dixon line", and the first to conduct a performance by a major American opera company.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pliable (July 25, 2011). "'I don't believe in Negro symphony conductors'". overgrownpath.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  2. Paxton, Helen S., "Black Conductors; A Symphony of Stature" (letter to the editor), The New York Times , October 25, 1992. "The writer is the director of marketing and communications for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra."
  3. Funke, Phyllis (November 30, 1975). "A Black Conductor Pushes the Cause of Music". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  4. "The Maestros". Ebony . Vol. 44, no. 4. 1989. p. 60. ISSN   0012-9011.
  5. 1 2 3 Higgins, Charlotte, "Black conductor fears he will remain exception", The Guardian , August 10, 2004.
  6. "ABRSM must include more black and BAME composers in exam syllabus, music leaders urge". Classic FM . July 16, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  7. Macdonald, Robert R.; Kemp, John R.; Haas, Edward F. (1979). Louisiana's Black Heritage.
  8. Price III, Emmett George (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Music. Vol. 3. ABC-CLIO. p. 219. ISBN   9780313342004.
  9. Sybil Kein, Creole: The History and Legacy of Louisiana's Free People of Color, Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2000, pp. 80–82, accessed December 28, 2010
  10. 1 2 3 4 Anthony Tommasini. "Leonard De Paur Dies at 83; Lincoln Center Administrator", The New York Times , 11 November 1998.
  11. 1 2 Woods, Timothy E., Leonard De Paur's Arrangement of Spirituals, Work Songs, and African Songs as Contribution to Choral Music. Diss. University of Arizona, 1998.
  12. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
  13. A Dictionary for the Modern Composer, Emily Freeman Brown, Scarecrow Press, Oxford, 2015, p. 311 ISBN   9780810884014 "Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra founded by Samuel Adler in 1952 conductor Henry Lewis 1955–1956"
  14. Uncle Sam's Orchestra: Memories of the Seventh Army Orchestra John Canaria, University of Rochester Press 1998 ISBN   9781580460 194 Seventh Army Symphony
  15. New Music New Allies Amy C. Beal, University of California Press, Berkeley, 2006, p. 49, ISBN   978-0-520-24755-0 "Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra (1952–1962) performing works by Roy Harris, Morton Gould and Leroy Anderson" and cultural diplomacy
  16. 1 2 Erik Eriksson. James DePreist: Biography at AllMusic . Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  17. PACO people Archived April 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  18. The Harbus
  19. Cunningham, Carl (June 25, 1989). "Untitled". Houston Post.
  20. Greenfield, Phil (February 5, 1998). Candidate Dunner has trio of talents; Diversity: Leslie Dunner, who is vying for the directorship of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, is a talented conductor, composer and clarinetist Archived November 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , The Baltimore Sun , Retrieved November 22, 2010
  21. Voynovskaya, Nastia (August 20, 2021). "Michael Morgan, Visionary Oakland Symphony Conductor, Dies at Age 63". KQED Inc. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  22. "Nommé directeur artistique et musical de l'Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Paul Daniel prendra ses fonctions en septembre 2013" (PDF) (Press release). Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine. July 15, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  23. "Sisters in the Spotlight". Ebony . March 2003. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  24. AfriClassical (February 18, 2012). "Marlon Daniel and Tatarstan State". AfriClassical. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  25. IMusici. "Marlon Daniel: A Voice for Cultural Diversity". IMusici. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  26. Africlassical (July 31, 2018). "Marlon Daniel Wins Prize at Bucharest". Africlassical. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  27. "Marlon Daniel: Biography". Marlon Daniel Biography. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  28. De Lerma, Dominique-Rene. "African Heritage Symphonic Series Vol. III". Liner note essay. Cedille Records CDR066.

Further reading