John Malveaux of
writes:
March 16,
2019 attended William Grant Still Art Center opening reception for 11th
annual African American Composers Series "Music is Art, Music is
Philosophy, Music is History, The Legacy of Dr. William Grant Still".
See pic 1 chalk board outside WGS Art Center. Conspicuously absent from
reception was artist Noni
Olabisi who created a mural on the outside south wall of the William
Grant Still Art Center that depicts WGS opera TROUBLED ISLAND. See pic 2.
Although WGS orchestral music may be performed more frequently by major
symphony orchestras in the United States than any other composer of
African descent, his opera
output continues to be completely neglected in current years by major
opera companies. See Troubled Island mural at WGS Art Center outside
south wall.
I
was shocked to learn from a lady attendee that she found and showed me
THE LITTLE SONG THAT WANTED TO BE A SYMPHONY illustrated book and
recording in a free bin at a Los Angeles City Library. William Grant
Still was a devoted father who even made toys for his children. In his
later years, he especially wrote instructional and other music targeting
children with the hope that he might foster intercultural and racial
understanding. Unfortunately, along with his operas,THE LITTLE SONG THAT
WANTED TO BE A SYMPHONY has been neglected by orchestras such as Long
Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic Toyota Children concerts.
Equally painful, African American founded orchestras such as Southeast
Symphony and Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles have not
programmed THE LITTLE SONG THAT WANTED TO BE A SYMPHONY.. Please see pic
3-cover of THE LITTLE SONG THAT WANTED TO BE A SYMPHONY.-"A children's
story for orchestra, women's trio, and a narrator. The Piece was written
in order to impress upon children the need for human understanding".
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