Musicians of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Photo source: Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.
In Tuesday’s (2/3) News on 6 (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Tess Maune states, “The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is presenting a special show to commemorate Black History Month. Phil Armstrong of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is here with all the details. Armstrong: The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra reached out to author Hannibal B. Johnson and myself to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind Black History program or a symphony orchestral work that would uplift the history musically. The more we collaborated, the more great ideas came about, and they said they were bringing in guest conductor Jherrard Hardeman…. We as a nation are coming into our 250th year, and what better way to celebrate Black history—not just for February—but during what is designated as Black History Month? What would it look like to say, not only are people aware of the pops and the arts and the blues and jazz, but make people aware of the African American composers that wrote incredible orchestral works…. In between the movements, you’ll have Hannibal B. Johnson and myself narrating history and stories … It’s going to be a unique program.” Musical works include Hailstork’s Fanfare on “Amazing Grace;” Still’s Symphony No. 3, “The Sunday Symphony;” Montgomery’s Five Freedom Songs, and Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony.
