This journey spans from the story of an enslaved prodigy, Blind Tom Wiggins, to the hopeful vision of today, weaving together music across history, social movements, and artistic triumphs.
Audiences will be taken from Blind Tom Wiggins’ remarkable piece “March Timpani,” arranged for strings by BIPOC composer and musicologist AJ Isaacson-Zvidzwa, through the legacy of the Chicago Black Renaissance with Florence Price’s beloved “Five Folksongs in Counterpoint.” Wiggins, who was born enslaved and became one of America’s most celebrated pianists, now lives on through this arrangement.
The program moves forward through the Civil Rights Movement with Daniel Bernard Roumain’s String Quartet #5 (“Rosa Parks”), a powerful tribute to Rosa Parks and courageous women everywhere who are shaping history. The concert’s culmination is Shelley Washington’s uplifting piece, “Middleground”. This interactive performance closes with “Klap Ur Handz”, inviting the audience to join in and celebrate community through music.
Notes of Legacy offers an inspiring and educational experience, bringing to life the voices of Black American composers across eras and genres.