Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Richard Alston Plays Saint-Georges, R.N. Dett, S. Joplin, F. Price, M. Bonds & G. Walker Feb. 3 at NJIT



(Richard C. Alston)

New Jersey's Science and Technology University (NJIT) is the venue for a Black History Month performance by pianist Richard C. Alston, Assistant Professor of Music at Essex County College. AfriClassical's many posts about him include one on June 26, 2009: “Pianist Richard C. Alston Has Arensky CD & Performs African American Composers on YouTube.” We often listen to our copy of the CD, which he recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Paul Freeman; the recording is: Centaur Records CRC 2307 (1997).

Wed. Feb 3, 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Jim Wise Theater
Richard Alston is deeply committed to sharing music as a distinguished pianist and educator, and classical works by composers of African descent are a specialty in his extensive repertoire. On February 3 at NJIT, he will perform and offer commentary on selections from the music of artists such as Joseph de Bologne, Le Chevalier de Saint Georges, Scott Joplin, R. Nathaniel Dett, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds and George Walker. After earning his bachelor’s at The Juilliard School, Alston was awarded the prestigious Maria Guerra Judelson Scholarship in piano to return to Juilliard for his master’s. He then embarked on a career in both classical piano performance and performing arts education. His performance credits range from live opera and recitals to radio and television broadcasts as well as recordings.

Under Alston’s direction as assistant professor of music at Essex County College, the school’s associate’s degree program in music has flourished to become a full-fledged performing arts department of music, dance and drama. Highlights of his contributions to the department consist of a program that allows high school students to audition for opportunities to study at the college level, and the development of courses in musical computer technology marked by the construction of a new technical music lab. (Composers listed above are profiled at AfriClassical.com)

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