Thursday March 29, 2012, 4:43 PM

BY MARK S. PORTER

The Montclair Times
NorthJersey.com

Beginning tonight, four concerts of Walker's music in four days

[George Walker (The Montclair Times Staff Photo by Adam Anik)]

The spotlight is shining bright on Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker, a longtime Montclair resident. It's a glorious advent of spring for George Walker, renowned composer and pianist who's resided in Montclair for several decades.

In a rewarding career packed with accomplishments, Walker's acclaimed work continues to be performed, and his creative drive to compose symphonies and concertos is resulting in the world premiere of his newest composition this weekend. Conducted by James DePreist, the Juilliard Orchestra will perform Walker's "Lyric for Strings" in Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan tonight, Thursday.

Tomorrow, Friday, March 30th, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will premiere Walker's "Sinfonia No. 4" in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center - a composition commissioned by the NJSO. "It's quite a coincidence to have these two concerts on successive evenings," noted Walker. An upcoming "State of the Arts" show on NJTV will profile Walker for his 90th birthday, which is coming up on June 27, 2012.

And, on May 20, Walker will be in Rochester, NY, to give the Commencement Address for the graduates of the Eastman School of Music, where he'll be conferred with an honorary doctor of music degree." [George Walker's website is http://georgetwalker.com/ Both George Walker and James DePreist are featured at AfriClassical.com]