Programming of Marvin V. Curtis & Playing of Richard C. Alston Are Among Highlights of IUSB's 'Lift Every Voice'

(TOP: Richard C. Alston as "Jasbro Brown" in "Porgy and Bess" BOTTOM: Marvin v. Curtis)

In recent months, AfriClassical has frequently posted news of both Maestro Marvin V. Curtis and pianist Richard C. Alston. Since the concert on Feb. 27, 2010 we have already had occasion on March 9, 2010 to write “Richard C. Alston is 'Jasbro Brown' in New Jersey State Opera's 'Porgy and Bess' May 21 & 23.”

Indiana University, South Bend concert celebrates African-American composers and musicians

South Bend Events Examiner
March 8, 2010

Jessica Chalmers

With Marvin Curtis’s arrival in 2008 as Indiana, South Bend’s Dean of the School of the Arts, the Michiana arts scene has had an infusion of life. The African-American community has especially been gifted by his arrival, since he has produced and performed several significant concerts featuring top black performers, professionals who have performed classics as well as heretofore underplayed masterpieces by significant black composers. Curtis himself is mild-mannered, a gentlemanly sort of person whose softly spoken introductions at concerts belie what must be a determined and committed interior. To what is he committed? To the students at IU, South Bend, first of all, who have received the benefit of Dr. Curtis’s extensive experience as, most recently, Assistant Dean and Choral Director at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. As a composer from whom work was commissioned to be performed at the Clinton 1993 inaugural, Curtis has bolstered an already successful music department's international reputation and diverse offerings.”

“The concert Lift Every Voice, which took place on February 27, 2010, was the capstone event celebrating Black History Month at IUSB.” "Florence Beatrice Smith Price (1887-1953), a woman whose intensive classical training was matched by her knowledge and use of folk sources, was the first African American female composer to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra.” “The evening’s selections began with her Fantasie Negre, played by Richard C. Alston on piano, which was reminiscent of Charles Ives in its 'democratic' mixture of modernist dissonance, Americana and classical scoring. The performers, in the main, distinguished themselves, starting with Alston, who poured himself into the changing drama of the Fantasie. Lecolion Washington on bassoon was wonderful to hear; his beautifully restrained tone and lyrical interpretation of pieces by Beethoven and Ulysses Kay were a pleasure.” (Florence B. Price and Ulysses S. Kay are profiled at AfriClassical.com)