Program:

The UMBC Symphony will present a program that features William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony (the first work by an African-American composer to be performed by a major symphony orchestra in the United States - 1931).  Still was the first African-American to conduct a major symphony orchestra in the United States, when in 1936, he directed the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in his compositions at the Hollywood Bowl,  and the first African-American to conduct a major symphony orchestra in the Deep South in 1955, when he directed the New Orleans Philharmonic at Southern University.  He was an important figure in music of the Harlem Renaissance, and had a long and successful career as a composer, arranger and conductor in Los Angeles from 1939 until his death in 1978.  William Grant Still received formal instruction in classical music at the New England Conservatory, and in composition with Edgard Varèse in New York.  His Afro-American Symphony is infused with blues-inspired melodic lines and harmonic color - “I wanted to demonstrate how the Blues could be elevated to the highest musical level.” (WGS)

The UMBC Symphony will also perform new works by student composers Karena Ingram and Zach Thomas, concertos by Marcello and Rachmaninoff featuring winners of the 2015 UMBC Symphony Concerto Competition (Shabnam Parsa, oboe and Isaac Becker-Howell, piano), and the well-loved Overture to Egmont of Beethoven.  

Program:

Beethoven – Overture to Egmont
Marcello – Oboe Concerto (Shabnam Parsa, soloist)
Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 2, 1st movement (Isaac Howell, soloist)
Zach Thomas – Unseen (premiere)
Karena Ingram – Animals of the Solstice; Calm of the Equinox (premiere)
William Grant Still – Afro-American Symphony

This event is free and open to the public, however seating reservations are required. To make a reservation please visit the Department of Music site. Reservations will be confirmed via email on a rolling first come first served basis beginning Monday April 18. As space allows, ticket reservations will be available at the door but reservations are highly recommended.