We are so happy to celebrate Juneteenth!
Randall Goosby, Image from Goosby’s Official Youtube channel
We have a few listening suggestions to help you get in the holiday spirit. It’s wonderful to have multiple performances of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto n. 2 to choose from, and a recent live performance by Randall Goosby with the Utah Symphony is temporarily available on their website (scroll down). Conducted by Stephanie Childress, availble to June 30.
Irene Britton Smith’s Sinfonietta of 1956 was given its world premiere in 2023 by conductor Kedrick Armstrong, with the University of Colorado-Boulder Symphony Orchestra. Armstrong researched this Black composer and edited and conducted the piece as part of his studies for a Master’s degree at University of Colorado Boulder.
Tania León with Berklee President Jim Lucchese
Cuban-American composer Tania León was recently awarded Columbia School of the Arts’ 2025 William Schuman Award! It includes a $75,000 prize and is given to “an American composer to recognize their lifetime achievement and lasting significance in the industry. … León has undoubtedly reshaped the new music scene on a global scale.” She is the first Black woman to receive the award.
In a further honor, León received an Honorary Doctorate degree at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. In her commencement address León told the graduates “Just as music transcends language and culture to connect us all, let your actions be a symphony of compassion, empathy, and understanding in a world in dire need of harmony.”
In this video you can learn about Tania León’s “Stride” — she won the Pulitzer Prize for this piece in 2022.
Happy Juneteenth,everyone!