Posted on Jan 31, 2023
A Black composer's concerto about the Black experience will get its world premiere in Kansas City...
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There aren't many saxophone concertos that exist, let alone one written for a Black musician, by a Black composer, and commissioned by a group of major orchestras. This month, saxophonist Steven Banks will perform the world premiere of Billy Childs' new saxophone concerto with the Kansas City Symphony.
A Black composer's concerto about the Black experience will get its world premiere in Kansas City...
Posted from kcur.orgPosted in these groups: 
Music
Kansas City
Music Kansas City
Posted >1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."In the talk, he quotes Aaron Dworkin, founder of Sphinx Organization and Dean of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance: “In dealing with these issues of diversity, many times it’s not difficult to address them. They simply require that you think about them at all.’”
“Having a major concerto be commissioned by nine major American orchestras, by a Black composer, bringing in a Black soloist to play the saxophone,” says Banks, “that is the complete realization of everything I’m trying to do as a musician. I think it adds a lot to the future of music, the direction that we are going in.”
Over the next two years, Banks will perform the work all over the country. Co-commissioners include the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Chautauqua Institute, National Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, and San Diego Symphony.
“For me it feels very surreal that it's about to happen, that it's about to exist in the world,” says Banks. “I’m really excited to bring this to Kansas City.”
..."In the talk, he quotes Aaron Dworkin, founder of Sphinx Organization and Dean of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance: “In dealing with these issues of diversity, many times it’s not difficult to address them. They simply require that you think about them at all.’”
“Having a major concerto be commissioned by nine major American orchestras, by a Black composer, bringing in a Black soloist to play the saxophone,” says Banks, “that is the complete realization of everything I’m trying to do as a musician. I think it adds a lot to the future of music, the direction that we are going in.”
Over the next two years, Banks will perform the work all over the country. Co-commissioners include the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Chautauqua Institute, National Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, and San Diego Symphony.
“For me it feels very surreal that it's about to happen, that it's about to exist in the world,” says Banks. “I’m really excited to bring this to Kansas City.”
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