Resources for black ‘classical’ composers
This round up of some of the key black ‘classical’ composers is by no means a comprehensive list: but a starting point for music teachers and lecturers who want to know more about European and North American black classical composers. This is by no means a quick fix – the work of decolonising the curriculum is a big project that requires white people to think about how they have participated in structural racism and white supremacy. I have been asked by a couple of people to put together a starting point over a few categories: black ‘classical’ composers, black modernist composers, women composers, and a broader list of musical theatre composers. Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing these resources and pointing you in the direction of key antiracist campaigns, particularly the work of teacher and anti-racism activist, Pran Patel, and musician and activist Nate Holder.
Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-99)
Read more:
Saint-Georges [Saint-George], Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de
Get To Know Joseph Bologne, Chevalier …
Listen:
Samuel Coleridge Taylor – British composer (1875–1912)
Born in Croydon, this composer was hugely celebrated during his lifetime in the UK. He also met and wrote with key black American figures such as Paul Dunbar. His daughter Avril Coleridge-Taylor became a conductor and composer.
Listen:
Read more:
British Library guide: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875 –1912)
‘The black Dvorak’ | Classical music
Harry T Burleigh – (1866 – 1949)
Read more:
Harry Thacker Burleigh Biography
Henry Thacker Burleigh Biography – Selected works …
Listen and Learn:
A Library of Congress Lecture: Harry T. Burleigh: From the Spiritual to the Harlem Renaissance
Will Marion Cook – (1869-1944)
Read more:
Swing Along: The Musical Life of Will Marion Cook Marva Carter
Will Marion Cook (1869-1944) • The Black Past
Listen:
Scott Joplin (1868-1917)
(often known for work like Entertainer/Maple Leaf Rag, he also wrote operas)
Read more:
Scott Joplin, Treemonisha and American Opera
Biographies Scott Joplin, 1868-1917
[Learn about] Ragtime composer, Scott Joplin
Listen:
Harry Lawrence Freeman (1869 – 1954)
particularly his opera Voodoo.
Read more:
Harry Lawrence Freeman – US Opera
Harry Lawrence Freeman (1869-1954) • – Blackpast
Harry Lawrence Freeman: Pioneering the African … – NATS.org
Listen:
Florence Price (1887 – 1953)
Read more:
New Sounds from a Familiar Face: Florence B. Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2
The Rediscovery of Florence Price
Florence Price Wisemusicclassical.com
Listen:
Florence Price’s Spotify Artist Page
FLORENCE B. PRICE: Piano Concerto in One Movement (1934) – First Section
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord & The Bells: A Florence Price & Margaret Bonds Medley
Naxos recordings: PRICE, FB: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 4 (Fort Smith Symphony, Jeter) – 8.559827
Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882 – 1943)
Read more:
Biographies R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)
Robert Nathaniel Dett Biography
Listen:
R. Nathaniel Dett: MY CUP RUNNETH OVER – Clipper Erickson
R Nathaniel Dett: The Ordering of Moses (1937)
William Grant Still – (1895-1978)
Read
Listening Guide: William Grant Still
Website dedicated to his work: http://www.williamgrantstillmusic.com/
Library of Congress: Biographies William Grant Still, 1895-1978
Naxos catalogue page: William Grant Still- Naxos Classical Music.
Listen:
Spotify Artist’s Page for Grant Still
Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)
Read more:
Margaret Bonds Biography | Afrocentric Voices
Margaret Bonds – Song of America
Learn and listen:
Four Women pianist Samantha Ege on Margaret Bonds
J Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954)
Read more:
Biographies J. Rosamond Johnson (John Rosamond), 1873-1954
J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) •
Listen:
Rosamund Johnson “Lift Every Voice And Sing”
Articles
Ten black composers whose works deserve to be heard more often
General Spotify Playlists:
General Resources and Overviews
Educator and activist Pran Pratel’s works extensively in this area as a campaigner and trainer. You can see his TedEx talk here: Decolonise the Curriculum | Pran Patel | TEDxNorwichED
Educator Nathan Holder’s talk on the music curriculum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JZcLs3eV7U&
General blogs
Michelle McCauley: Giving Cultural Context to Teaching Native American Music
Collated by Sarah Whitfield @sarahinthepark under open source creative commons attribution sharealike 4.0 license.
Sarah Whitfield 
[…] Decolonise the Music Curriculum – Part 1 […]
LikeLike