PittCC.edu: 'Orchestra to Help Celebrate Black History: Feb. 25 Concert to Feature Music of Duke Ellington and William Grant Still' in Greenville, North Carolina

Duke Ellington (1899-1974) was a jazz and classical composer who is featured at AfriClassical.com

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]

Pitt Community College
Greenville, North Carolina
02-10-2014

By Rob Goldberg Jr.
PCC Media Relations Director

WINTERVILLE—In celebration of Black History Month, the Pitt Community College Symphony Orchestra will perform the music of noted African-American composers during a Feb. 25 concert at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville.

Scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., the performance will showcase the works of William Grant Still and Duke Ellington, a composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras. The concert will also feature The Greater Greenville Mass Gospel Choir—comprised of PCC Elements of Praise, Music Ministries of Cornerstone and congregational choirs from the region—joining the orchestra for several gospel selections.

“This plans to be an extraordinary event—and one that is a first in Greenville and the region,” said R. Michael Stephenson, conductor of the PCC Symphony Orchestra.

Stephenson, who coordinates PCC’s music and drama courses, will also present a discussion on Still...who overcame the prejudice and injustice of his era to become one of America’s most respected classical composers.

Though the concert is free to the public, donations to support the orchestra will be accepted. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the performance.

For additional concert details, contact Stephenson at (252) 493-7493, or by e-mail at rstephenson@email.pittcc.edu.