Overview

This book contains conversations with nineteen African American classical musicians currently performing—or who have previously performed—in America’s major symphony orchestras. Each chapter focuses on the story of one musician and sheds light on the realities of African American musicians playing in a musical environment that absolutely forbade their membership over half a century ago. These conversations explore the deeply ingrained prejudices that some hold against African American people in symphony orchestras, conservatories, and other musical institutions. By amplifying these voices, the book provides a variety of perspectives on the almost cloistered world of these beloved institutions. The stories and lessons shared in this book will be invaluable to music students, teachers, and orchestral professionals.

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9781538194737

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Reviews

"""In this spirited collection of conversations, Robert Watt lucidly unveils the underpinnings of little-known stories about African Americans in classical music. It's a striking potpourri of perspectives."" --Todd Cochran, pianist and composer ""Thisis a groundbreaking exploration of African American musicians who shared incredible stories about the racism and biases they encountered as members of American symphony orchestras. Robert Lee Watt has made an outstanding contribution to this critical issue. The interviews are both compelling and powerfully rendered, and I sincerely hope that it will be an invaluable resource for students, teachers, orchestra musicians and anyone who cares about diversity and equity in cultural institutions."" --Althea Waites, pianist ""Watt's new book provides the reader with a valuable bird's eye view of the progress and the challenges that remain, spanning the past 40 to 50 years since the American Symphony Orchestra Leagues' efforts to achieve diversity in America's orchestras. I highly recommend this book to all that have an interest in the behind-the-scenes life and work of African American symphony orchestra members."" --Luther Lincoln Henderson, professor of music and humanities emeritus director of orchestral activities, Los Angeles City College"

"""Watt's new book provides the reader with a valuable bird's eye view of the progress and the challenges that remain, spanning the past 40 to 50 years since the American Symphony Orchestra Leagues' efforts to achieve diversity in America's orchestras. I highly recommend this book to all that have an interest in the behind-the-scenes life and work of African American symphony orchestra members."" --Luther Lincoln Henderson, professor of music and humanities emeritus director of orchestral activities, Los Angeles City College"

"""In this spirited collection of conversations, Robert Watt lucidly unveils the underpinnings of little-known stories about African Americans in classical music. It's a striking potpourri of perspectives."" --Todd Cochran, pianist and composer ""Watt's new book provides the reader with a valuable bird's eye view of the progress and the challenges that remain, spanning the past 40 to 50 years since the American Symphony Orchestra Leagues' efforts to achieve diversity in America's orchestras. I highly recommend this book to all that have an interest in the behind-the-scenes life and work of African American symphony orchestra members."" --Luther Lincoln Henderson, professor of music and humanities emeritus director of orchestral activities, Los Angeles City College"

"""In this spirited collection of conversations, Robert Watt lucidly unveils the underpinnings of little-known stories about African Americans in classical music. It's a striking potpourri of perspectives."" --Todd Cochran, pianist and composer ""Watt's new book provides the reader with a valuable bird's eye view of the progress and the challenges that remain, spanning the past 40 to 50 years since the American Symphony Orchestra Leagues' efforts to achieve diversity in America's orchestras. I highly recommend this book to all that have an interest in the behind-the-scenes life and work of African American symphony orchestra members."" --Luther Lincoln Henderson, professor of music and humanities emeritus director of orchestral activities, Los Angeles City College"

""In this spirited collection of conversations, Robert Watt lucidly unveils the underpinnings of little-known stories about African Americans in classical music. It's a striking potpourri of perspectives."" ""Watt's new book provides the reader with a valuable bird's eye view of the progress and the challenges that remain, spanning the past 40 to 50 years since the American Symphony Orchestra Leagues' efforts to achieve diversity in America's orchestras. I highly recommend this book to all that have an interest in the behind-the-scenes life and work of African American symphony orchestra members.""

Author Information

Robert Lee Watt studied French horn at the New England Conservatory of Music with Harry Shapiro of the Boston Symphony. In 1970, he was hired by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as assistant first French horn under maestro Zubin Mehta, making him the first African American French hornist hired by a major symphony in the United States. ,

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