AfriClassical Comments on Press-Telegram Article 'An overlooked sound in classical music'

[Amber Mercomes, soprano]

Yesterday was the day of the Music Without Borders concert in Long Beach, California,
and AfriClassical posted “Press-Telegram: 'An overlooked sound in classical music',
Carlos Chavez & William Grant Still”.  Among the comments made at the newspaper's
website on June 29, 2008 was this one: “Dear Mr. Mellen, The title 'An overlooked
sound in classical music' gives rare recognition to the music of Hispanic composers and
composers of African descent. I have enjoyed the music of Carlos Chavez for many
years, and have a series of Mexican Classical Music CDs with several of his compositions. 
For 30 years I knew only of White composers.  Two Chandos CDs of William Grant Still,
William Levi Dawson and Duke Ellington, recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in
1993, accidentally came to my attention two years later.  Since then I have widened my
classical music horizons, and have created a website, AfriClassical.com  It honors
52 Black composers and musicians, from John Blanke, the Black trumpeter for King Henry
VIII to Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799), and to William Grant Still (1895-1978)
and Adolphus Hailstork, among others.  Your article provides the perspective which your
readers need on Black and Hispanic composers. Sincerely, Bill Zick”  John Malveaux, the
producer of the concert, has sent us this comment by E-mail: “Wow, you are quick with
your fingers and mind.  Thanks for the comments in the Press Telegram.  I like the way
you work!!!  Thanks, John Malveaux”