In Charleston, South Carolina, the inaugural Colour of Music: Black Classical Musicians Festival —showcasing black classical musicians, composers, and singers—has just concluded. Running from October 23 to 27 throughout Charleston, the festival encompassed 20 performances at the Dock Street Theatre, City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Memminger Auditorium, and other venues. Conductor/pianist Marlon Daniel led the festival orchestra in an “Ode to Composers” program that included works by Joseph Boulogne (also known as Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges), William Grant Still, and George Walker, alongside works by Mozart, Ravel, and Gershwin. Also included were an “Ebony and Ivory” piano-recital series at Circular Congregation Church, featuring works by Schubert, Saint-Georges, Walker, and Chopin; “Musicians of African Descent in Classical Music,” a community symposium at Saint Marks Episcopal Church; and chamber music at several houses of worship in Charleston. Plans are underway for a second Colour of Music Festival, from October 22 to 26, 2014.
Posted November 6, 2013
