National Gallery of Art Celebrates African American History, Art, Music, and Culture Throughout 2013

Composer-in-Residence Jeffrey Mumford

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, American, 1848–1907

Shaw Memorial (detail), 1900

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service,
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, New Hampshire

On loan to the National Gallery of Art

Photo by Lee Ewing

Washington, DC—In February, the National Gallery of Art kicks off a year-long celebration of African American history, art, music, and culture with exhibitions, film events, podcasts, DJs in the Garden at the ice rink, gallery talks, and concerts.

The Gallery welcomes Jeffrey Mumford as its composer-in-residence in February and presents several concerts featuring premieres of his new music, as well as a lecture by the composer titled Multiple Voices on February 19.

On March 14, artist Glenn Ligon delivers the annual Elson Lecture, which may also be viewed via a live webcast. The Gallery recently acquired its first painting by Ligon, Untitled (I Am a Man) (1988), on view in the East Building Concourse.

The celebration continues with In the Tower: Kerry James Marshall—Marshall's first solo exhibition in Washington—which opens June 28 and is accompanied by several related programs, including a lecture and concerts. Opening in September, Tell It to the World: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Shaw Memorial commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner.

All programs are free of charge in the East Building Auditorium unless otherwise noted. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Composer-in-Residence: Jeffrey Mumford

The Gallery celebrates African American History Month by welcoming Jeffrey Mumford as composer-in-residence in February. This appointment continues a relationship between the music community and the Gallery that began in 1943, when composer Richard Bales became the Gallery's first head of music programs. During his 42-year tenure, Bales composed more than 100 works, some of which were inspired by the Index of American Design and other aspects of the Gallery's permanent collection.

Mumford, a DC native who teaches at Lorain County Community College in Ohio, brings his personal connection with the Gallery to the project. The Gallery was a frequent destination for him during his formative years. His residency includes free Sunday concerts on February 10 and 17, as well as a Works in Progress lecture on February 19 at 12:10 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. Featured are world premiere performances of works Mumford has composed especially for this residency and the introduction of music by New Orleans native Courtney Bryan, an emerging African American woman composer, to Washington audiences.

Concerts

National Gallery of Art Chamber Players

With Miranda Cuckson, violinist, and Julia Bruskin, cellist

Peter Wilson, guest conductor

Music by Jeffrey Mumford, composer-in-residence 

Includes world premiere of eight aspects of appreciation II for violin and cello

Sunday, February 10, 6:30 p.m.

West Building, West Garden Court

Avalon String Quartet

With Winston Choi, pianist

Music by Jeffrey Mumford, composer-in-residence 

Sunday, February 17, 6:30 p.m.

West Building, West Garden Court

Additional Concerts

Lectures

Multiple Voices

Tuesday, February 19, 12:10 and 1:10 p.m.

Jeffrey Mumford, composer-in-residence, National Gallery of Art, and distinguished professor of music, Lorain County Community College

East Building Small Auditorium

Comment by email:
THANKS! First two concerts were fabulous!!  Best,  J  [Jeffrey Mumford]