'Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra poised to bring diversity and fun to Philly's 2011-12 classical music offerings'

[Jeri Lynne Johnson]

The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra announces its 2011-2012 concert series and educational programs.

Philadelphia, PA. The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra (BPCO), committed to broadening ethnic diversity in classical music, is set to begin its 3rd season packed with thrilling performances and hands-on engagement for its audiences - including innovative concert programs, an Open Rehearsal Series for students, and a chance for audience members to conduct the orchestra.

The season kicks off on November 5th, 7:30pm with a night of rhythmic and dance-inspired music at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. Works include Sibelius' Valse Triste, Astor Piazzolla's Four Seasons for Buenos Aires, featuring Venezuelan violinist Luigi Mazzocchi, and Beethoven's 7th Symphony. The season continues with "The Black Mozart," on March 10, 2012, followed by the exciting iConduct! Festival in the summer of 2012, a program winner of the 2011 Knight Arts Challenge, giving audience members a unique opportunity to test their conducting skills on stage with Maestra Jeri Lynne Johnson and the BPCO.

Opening Night Concert

Saturday, November 5, 2011

7:30pm

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral

38th and Chestnut Streets - Philadelphia

Repertoire: Sibelius, Piazzolla, Beethoven

The Black Mozart

Saturday, March 10, 2012

8:00pm

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Benjamin Franklin Pkwy & N 18th St. - Philadelphia

Repertoire: Chevalier, Mozart, Hyden

iConduct! Festival

Summer 2012

Time and Locations to be announced

Tickets available online at www.blackpearlco.org or by phone (215) 717-7103

For more info, contact Julia Rubio (215) 717-7103 or julia@blackpearlco.org

The BPCO Season

Saturday, November 5

About Black Pearl Chamber Ochestra

Based in Philadelphia, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2007 and is the only professional orchestra in the region, and one of few in the country, to champion ethnic diversity in classical music.

Founded by award-winning Music Director Jeri Lynne Johnson, one of the only African-American women conductors on the scene today, the BPCO is dedicated to normalizing minority participation in classical music. This mission is achieved by presenting concerts and innovative community programs of the highest artistic and educational standard, performed by ethnically diverse musicians who represent Philadelphia's rich cultural diversity.

Described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "excellent," and having an "impressive standard of performance," BPCO musicians were trained at many of the nation's leading music conservatories, including The Juilliard School, The Curtis Institute, and The Eastman School of Music, among others.

About the Music Director

Jeri Lynne Johnson is the Founding Music Director of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra (BPCO). Maestra Johnson began conducting during her doctoral studies in music theory and history at the University of Chicago. While a student in Chicago, Ms. Johnson was awarded the 1998 Jorge Mester Conducting Scholarship to attend the Aspen Music Festival and since then her conducting teachers and mentors have included Sir Simon Rattle, Marin Alsop and Daniel Barenboim among others. Soon after, Ms. Johnson was engaged by the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and served as that ensemble's assistant conductor from 2000-2004.

A recipient of many civic, community and artistic honors, including a 2010 British American ProjectFellow, 2010 Philly 360Creative Ambassador by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation, and a 2009 Leeway Transformation Award, Ms. Johnson has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers as well as television and radio shows including 20/20 and the "Tavis Smiley Show" on NPR and was heralded as one of today's leading women conductors on the NBC Today Show alongside prominent woman conductors Marin Alsop and Joann Falletta. In 2005 Ms. Johnson made history as the first African-American woman to win an international conducting prize when she was awarded the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship.

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra: “Paris, When it Sizzled: Stravinsky, Milhaud and 'Le Jazz Hot'" Apr. 28 Phila Int'l Festival of the Arts

[Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Conductor, The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra]

Julia Rubio, Executive Director of The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, sends AfriClassical a Press Release:

Philadelphia, PA -April 13, 2011 – The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra presents Paris, When it Sizzled: Stravinsky, Milhaud and "Le Jazz Hot" as part of the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts on Thursday, April 28th, 7:30pm at the Independence Seaport Museum. Ticket information at http://www.blackpearlco.org or 215-546-PIFA. Ticket price $10-$35.

Drawing from the very best classical musicians representing the region's ethnic and cultural diversity, the BPCO will perform under the baton of award-wining Music Director and Founder Jeri Lynne Johnson.

The concert will explore the impact of Dixieland or “hot” jazz on the emerging modern styles of two of Paris’s most iconic composers: Igor Stravinsky and Darius Milhaud. The program will feature Milhaud's La création du monde, and Symphonie pour petit orchestre no. 3, op 71 "Serenade" and no 1. op 43 "Le printemps," Stravinsky's Octet for Wind Instruments and Ragtime for 11 Instruments. During the program, guest artist and master jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon will take the stage with members of the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass to perform some of the sizzling sounds Black musicians were cooking up in America at that time.

'Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra announces its 2010-11 concert season'

[Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Conductor, The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra]

Julia Rubio, Executive Director of The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra,

http://www.blackpearlco.org, sends AfriClassical a Press Release on its upcoming season:

Philadelphia, PA - August 16, 2010 – The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra announces its 2010-11 concert season. The orchestra will present a 3-concert series at The Baptist Temple and Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.

On the heels of a very successful Inaugural Season, the BPCO is back with an unforgettable 3-concert season that celebrates musical heritage, artistic excellence and a new vision for diversity in classical music. Hispanic heritage, black history and a partnership performance with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts rounds out the BPCO's second season. BPCO's Executive Director Julia Rubio states, "few other towns would work so ardently to make an idea like the BPCO happen, especially in this economic climate. We are so proud to make Philadelphia our home."

Drawing from the very best classical musicians representing the region's ethnic and cultural diversity, the BPCO will perform under the baton of award-wining conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson, who states "for 2010-2011, the BPCO is all about making musical connections – connections that span genres, nations, continents, and centuries."

The season launches on September 16th with a free concert entitled Tiempos y Música celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at The Baptist Temple on Temple University's Main campus. This concert explores the turbulent political history shared between Beethoven’s epic overture Leonore #3 and the music of 20th century Mexican composers.

The season continues on February 19th as the orchestra honors Black History Month with a concert entitled Burleigh, Brahms and Dvořák's New Musical World. The performance will feature works by African-American composer Henry Thacker Burleigh and Czech composer Antonin Dvořák's Symphony #9 From The New World to showcase Burleigh's influence on Dvořák's epic work. It is said by Burleigh that "The first time a Negro song became a major theme in a great symphonic work was in 1893, when Antonín Dvořák''s New World Symphony was played."



The season concludes on April 28th with a concert entitled Paris: When it Sizzled. Stravinsky, Milhaud and "Le Jazz Hot" as part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts and will explore the impact of Dixieland or “hot” jazz on the emerging modern styles of two of Paris’s most iconic composers: Igor Stravinsky and Darius Milhaud. The program will feature Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite, Milhaud's Creation de Monde, and will sample some of the sizzling sounds Black musicians were cooking up in America at that time. The February and April concerts will be held at the Independence Seaport Museum and ticket prices range from $10-$35.

Ticket and Concert info:

http://www.blackpearlco.org

Phone: (215) 717-7103

[Henry Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory]

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra Performs Black Composers on WRTI 90.1 FM, Feb. 28, 5-6 PM ET

[Jeri Lynne Johnson]

AfriClassical has been following Jeri Lynne Johnson and The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra in its first public season. We are pleased to announce the orchestra's Public Radio debut on Sunday, Feb. 28:

BlackPearlCO.org

The BLACK PEARL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA debuts on public radio on WRTI FM 90.1

Sunday, February 28th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM

WRTI Temple Public Radio, 90.1 FM

This broadcast is part of WRTI's celebration of Black History Month and features works by

African-American composers

We invite you to listen to one full hour of amazing masterworks by some of the most prominent African-American composers in recordings and performances by the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. Jeremy Kesselman, oboist and the BPCO's own Principal Trumpet, Rodney Mack join Maestra Johnson and the BPCO in a wide variety of works that showcase the diverse styles and influences that have inspired these amazing composers, performers and teachers. As a special feature, Rodney Mack will also be heard in performance with his own group, the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass.

For people outside the broadcast area of WRTI FM 90.1, Jeri Lynne Johnson tells us, “WRTI is listed as a radio station on iTunes just like any other radio station and you can listen live that way...” She also notes that other online music players may be used.

Program:

William Grant Still - Danzas de Panama

George Walker - Lyric for Strings

Francis Johnson, arr. Matthew Brown - Victoria Galop and Dirge

as performed by the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass

Ellis Marsalis - Fourth Autumn

Featuring Rodney Mack, trumpet

Adolphus Hailstork - Songs of the Magi

Featuring Jeremy Kesselman, oboe
[Adolphus Hailstork, Francis Johnson, William Grant Still and George Walker are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra Thrives, Presents 'America's Classical Masters' Feb. 6, 2010

[Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Conductor, The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra]

AfriClassical has received a press release from Julia Rubio, Executive Director, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra:

“The All-New Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra Receives Strong Support As It Readies To Present The Second Concert Of Its Inaugural Season
Philadelphia, PA - January 18, 2010. Defying the odds in this current economic environment, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia's first multi-ethnic professional orchestra, has experienced an outpouring of support in its first season, including a $10,000 grant from PECO, $10,000 from the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Reinvestment Ministry for its educational outreach programming, and a National Endowment for the Arts grant in partnership with Foundation's, Inc. BPCO Founder and Music Director, Jeri Lynne Johnson, recently received a highly competitive 2009 Leeway Foundation Transformation Award, which honors women and trans-gendered artists for their ability to create social change through their artistic and cultural work. To help lead the growth of this important organization, the BPCO recently named James Undercofler, Professor of Arts Administration at Drexel University and former President & CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, as Chair of the Board of Directors.

"'It isn't often that an organization comes along with the right ingredients at the right time; visionary leadership, managerial best practices and a knockout roster of diverse musicians all working to achieve a profoundly important mission to reshape how we understand and experience inclusion in classical music. I am honored to be part of this dynamic new organization as it helps to shepherd the city into a new era of participation in the performing arts.'” -James Undercofler, Chair, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra

“Led by Founder and Music Director Jeri Lynne Johnson, the BPCO is delighted to present its sold-out America's Classical Masters concert commemorating Black History Month at the historic Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia on February 6^th, 2010 at 8:00 pm. This world-class ensemble will perform works that showcase the variety and brilliance of American composers from throughout the nation's history. Music of Dr. George Walker, the first African-American composer to win a Pulitzer Prize and a stunning new work by master jazz teacher Ellis Marsalis will be performed alongside Aaron Copland's elegiac and powerful Quiet City and Ernst Bloch's exuberant Concerto Grosso #1. After intermission, The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass will take the stage with works by celebrated African-American composer Francis Johnson and other fantastic big brass music for a rousing close to the second concert of the orchestra's inaugural season.

"'The BPCO continues to grow and provide innovative concerts and arts education workshops because of the generosity and vision of our growing list of corporate and foundation contributors, the vision of the Founder's Society, the enthusiasm of our musicians and Board, and the overwhelming support from our audiences. The BPCO has found a real home in Philadelphia and we will continue to partner with the entire community to bring the exciting, culturally-inclusive and high-quality classical music it demands and deserves.'” -Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Music Director, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra

The evening's program includes:

-Aaron Copland - Quiet City
Featuring Geoffrey Deemer, english horn and Rodney Mack, trumpet

-Ernst Bloch - Concerto Grosso #1
Featuring Jamaican-born pianist Maria Corley

-Ellis Marsalis - Fourth Autumn
Featuring Rodney Mack, trumpet

-George Walker - Lyric for Strings

-Selections by Francis Johnson and other music performed by The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
2009-2010 Inaugural Season - Winter Concert: America's Classical Masters
When: Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8:00PM
Where: Independence Seaport Museum
Tickets: Free and open to the public (sold out)
More Info: http://www.blackpearlco.org/

Jeri Lynne Johnson Comments on Post on Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra

[Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Conductor, The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra]

Yesterday AfriClassical posted “Sequenza21/: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, 'The First Multi-Ethnic Professional Orchestra in Philadelphia.'" We look forward to the orchestra's first season and have added it to the Links page at AfriClassical.com. Today we are happy to present a gracious comment by Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Conductor of The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra:

“Dear Mr. Zick,
I have been a long time fan of AfriClassical and thank you and Prof. De Lerma for all of the amazing dedication and detailed research that you have made available to the world! I have asked our PR person to make sure that your name and contact information are added to our press list and we are honored to be included on your blog and website! Is it alright if we add AfriClassical to our links page on our website?
Sincerely,
Jeri”