Classical music has been shaped by the genius of countless composers. However, the contributions of Black composers in classical music have often been overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream narratives.
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.
Throughout history, 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. Here, we explore the history and impact of these talented individuals.
James DePreist (1936-2013) was one of the first African-American conductors to become famous around the world.
Early Pioneers and Their Struggles
In the early 1930s, an African-American conductor named Dean Dixon (1915-1976) found it hard to get conducting jobs. This was because of unfair treatment based on race. As a result, he formed his own orchestra and choral society in 1931.
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Later, in 1940, Dean Dixon, along with another African-American conductor, Everett Lee, and a Jewish-American conductor, Benjamin Steinberg, tried to create an orchestra of black musicians. However, the project failed for financial reasons.
Despite these early setbacks, these conductors paved the way for future generations.
Benjamin Steinberg conducting the first concert of the Symphony of the New World at Carnegie Hall in 1965.
Breaking Barriers in the Mid-20th Century
Everett Lee made history in 1945 when he became the first African American to conduct a big show on Broadway. Leonard Bernstein asked Lee to conduct his musical, On the Town. This was the first time a black conductor led a show with an all-white cast. In 1953, Lee was also the first black musician to conduct a white symphony orchestra in the southern United States.
Benjamin Steinberg didn't give up, and in 1964, he formed the Symphony of the New World. This was the first orchestra in the United States that had musicians of all races working together.
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William Grant Still conducted the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra in 1955. This made him 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 also performed at the famous Metropolitan Opera in 1972.
These accomplishments marked significant milestones in the journey towards greater inclusivity in classical music.
James DePreist (1936-2013), one of the first African-American conductors on the world stage, is congratulated by President George W.
Notable African American Conductors
Several African American conductors have achieved prominence in the classical music world:
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- Charles-Richard Lambert (died 1862): An American musician, conductor, and music educator.
- William Grant Still (1895-1978): A very important composer and conductor, one of the first African Americans to conduct a major American symphony orchestra in the Deep South.
- Everett Lee (1916-2022): A violinist who became a conductor, the first African American to conduct a major Broadway show.
- Leonard De Paur (1914-1998): Studied at the Juilliard School and led many groups, including the De Paur Infantry Chorus.
- Dean Dixon (1915-1976): Formed his own orchestra because of racial unfairness and later guest-conducted famous orchestras.
- Dr. Anne "Georgianne" Lundy (born 1954): The first African-American woman to conduct the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
- Henry Lewis (1932-1996): Joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic at age 16, becoming the first black instrumentalist in a major symphony orchestra.
- James DePreist (1936-2013): One of the first African-American conductors to become famous worldwide.
- Paul Freeman (1936-2015): Founded the Chicago Sinfonietta and was a music director for the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.
- Isaiah Jackson (born 1945): The first African-American to be a music director in the Boston area.
- Calvin E. Simmons (1950-1982): One of the early African-American conductors of a major orchestra.
- Leslie Dunner (born 1956): An American conductor and composer known for connecting with audiences through many different music styles.
- Michael Morgan (1957-2021): The music director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony.
- Jeri Lynne Johnson: The founder of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, the first multi-ethnic professional orchestra in Philadelphia.
- Kwamé Ryan (born 1970): A Canadian conductor of Trinidadian background.
- Marcus Alleyne (born 1983): A British conductor with Caribbean heritage.
- Marlon Daniel: An American conductor known for his work with music by composers of African descent.
- John McLaughlin Williams: The first African-American to win a Grammy Award for orchestral conducting.
These conductors have made significant contributions to classical music, both through their performances and their advocacy for greater diversity and inclusion.
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The Importance of Representation and Opportunity
Even in the early 2000s, black conductors were still rare in classical music. Kwamé Ryan has spoken about how young black people, especially in North America, are often encouraged to become athletes or pop stars, but not conductors.
Several conductors have noted the importance of providing opportunities and support for young musicians of color. Roderick Cox started the Roderick Cox Music Initiative (RCMI) in 2018 to provide scholarship funds to young musicians of color from underrepresented communities.
Thomas Wilkins summed up: “It’s part of our responsibility to usher young kids into their dream and to remove any doubt that if they work hard that dream is possible.”
Michael Morgan added that people should aspire to figure out where they belong in the food chain of music and try to fill that need.
Jonathon Heyward emphasized the responsibility that comes with being a conductor of color, to let everyone know that they can do it, particularly people of color.
What a conductor actually does on stage
The Ongoing Need for Diversity and Inclusion
The discussion among conductors also touched on the issue of diversity and inclusion in orchestras. Heyward noted that the phrase "diversity and inclusion" can sometimes be superficial and that the focus should be on including other people in the fabric of what orchestras are doing.
Wilkins added that the industry has often come up with ways to make themselves feel better without seeing any evidence of it made manifest in the season. He questioned why all-American or all-African American concerts couldn't just be a part of the fabric of the season.
Cox noted that sometimes when you're talking about "diversity and inclusion," you hear from people, "Well, our goal is just artistic excellence," as if you can't have both.
Black Composers Who Shaped Classical Music
Classical music has been significantly shaped by the genius of countless composers. However, the contributions of Black composers in classical music have often been overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream narratives. Some notable figures include:
- Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: A virtuoso violinist and composer in 18th-century Europe.
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, drawing inspiration from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem The Song of Hiawatha.
- Florence Price: Broke barriers as the first African-American woman to have her composition performed by a major orchestra.
- William Grant Still: Achieved monumental success with his Afro-American Symphony, blending traditional symphonic structures with the vibrant rhythms of jazz.
- Undine Smith Moore: Her work Scenes from the Life of a Martyr showcases her skillful choral writing and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1981.
- Margaret Bonds: Played a significant role in bringing African-American spirituals to classical compositions.
- George Walker: Earned the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996, making him the first African American to receive that honor.
- Julius Eastman: A pioneering force in minimalism and post-minimalism, defying conventions with provocative compositions.
- RZA (Robert Diggs): Known primarily for his role in hip hop, extends his artistic prowess into classical music with the composition A Ballet Through Mud.
- Jessie Montgomery: A contemporary virtuoso, blending classical, jazz, and folk genres in her compositions.
The contributions of these Black composers have not only shaped classical music but have become integral to its evolving narrative.
