Black History Month

Symphonette and Tutti Strings Conductor, Pierce Cook talks about the importance of picking diverse repertoire and shares his favorite Black composers:  If you are in any industry for any period of time, and you are making any effort to be any good, you come up with your own little trade secrets. Now, my mother always taught me not to keep secrets, so I plan to start sharing all of mine. Here is my first hard-won secret!  Has anyone ever told you that you need some R n’ R? We all do. That’s rest and relaxation. Unless of course you are …

February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, we are highlighting all the fantastic Black composers that have works included in our 2022-23 season. Learn more about Anthony Barfield, Valerie Coleman, Katahj Copley, Adrian Gordon, and Jessie Montgomery:  As part of our winter concert series, Young Peoples Orchestra (YPO) performed “Invictus for Brass” by Anthony Barfield. Barfield is a producer and composer based in New York City. Known for his lyrical writing style, his compositions have been performed throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. As a former trombonist, he has performed at halls such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, …