George Walker: 'Missing from the list of outstanding black women pianists is Frances Walker Slocum.'

[Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: 24 Negro Melodies; Frances Walker, Pianist; Orion 83105 (2006); Marquis Classics Distribution]

George Walker (b. 1922) is featured at AfriClassical.com and has a website at http://georgetwalker.com/. He writes about Frances Walker Slocum (b. 1924):

“Missing from the list of outstanding black women pianists is Frances Walker Slocum. Her career deserves far more notice than it has received. She was the first black woman to become a tenured professor at Oberlin College where she taught and mentored many fine students and remains a consultant to the President of Oberlin College and the Dean of the Conservatory of Music on minority issues.

“Frances Walker Slocum was the first pianist and only pianist to present a concert of the piano music of black composers in New York. She has given more solo piano recitals there than any other black woman pianist. She appeared as soloist in the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 with Everett Lee and the New World Symphony in Carnegie Hall. She has toured Europe and given State Department concerts in the Philippines. Before the current interest in Samuel Coleridge-Taylor she recorded his arrangements for piano of Negro Spirituals which are still available. She has given lectures on my pianos sonatas. Her performances of them were impeccable in their accuracy and musicality. The New Yorker, the BBC and other sources need to be aware of the fact that their historical material is incomplete without her inclusion.

Best regards.

George Walker”

The Oberlin College Archives include a biography of Frances Walker-Slocum at:
http://www.oberlin.edu/archive/holdings/finding/RG30/SG222/biography.html

H. Leslie Adams Shares Career and Works at Oberlin Conservatory 2 PM Saturday, May 28, 2011

[H. Leslie Adams]

The Music of H. Leslie Adams

Saturday, May 28, 2011; 2:00 p.m.

Kulas Hall, Oberlin Conservatory

Oberlin College

39 West College Street

Oberlin, Ohio 44074

H. Leslie Adams appears in person to share his career and works. Audio representations include vocal solo, choral, instrumental solo, chamber and orchestral. [This event takes place during Commencement Weekend.]

The composer's website is: http://www.hleslieadams.com/. [H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory]

John Malveaux: Denyce Graves Received Honorary Doctor of Music Degree From Oberlin College

[President Nany Dye, center, spends a lighthearted moment with honored guests (from left to right) Denyce Graves, Al McQueen, Jerry Greenfield, Damon Keith, and Francine Toss. Not pictured: F. Champion Ward.]

John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com provides fascinating information about Denyce Graves:

“Since watching Ms. Graves performance at Georgetown during the doctorate ceremony for Michael Kaiser, I have discovered Ms. Graves also received an honorary doctor in music degree http://www.oberlin.edu/alummag/oampast/oam_summer98/alum_n
_n/honoring.html

Oberlin.edu

“Joining Greenfield at the podium was mezzosoprano Denyce Graves '85, who was presented with an honorary doctor of music degree.”