Willis Patterson

Experiential Orchestra Opens 2021-22 Season with RENEWAL: An Evening with Louise Toppin
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 3, 2021

Fresh from winning its first Grammy Award, Experiential Orchestra, led by Music Director James Blachly, opens its 2021-22 season on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 8pm with a concert at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th St., NYC) highlighting its partnership with the African Diaspora Music Project (ADMP).

BWW Interview: Candace Johnson of MUSIC TO MY EARS - HEARING ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK on MarshStream Shares Her Passion for Art Songs by Black Composers
by Jim Munson - May 18, 2021

If, like me, you’re not all that familiar with art songs by Black composers, Candace Johnson is here to show you what you’ve been missing out on. On May 22nd and 23rd, the acclaimed soprano and actress will perform her new show Music to My Ears - Hearing Adolphus Hailstork to kick off The Marsh’s new solo performance musical series The Art Songs of Black Composers on its digital platform MarshStream. Dr. Johnson will be joined by San Francisco Symphony pianist Marc Shapiro to shine a light on celebrated modern composer Hailstork’s song cycle Ventriloquist Acts of God, blending singing with theatrical storytelling to depict a university professor and her students discussing how to hear the music – and each other – in a whole new way. Immediately following the performance, Johnson and Shapiro will be joined by The Marsh Founder/Artistic Director Stephanie Weisman for a Q&A. Music to My Ears - Hearing Adolphus Hailstork will be streamed at 7:30pm PDT on Saturday, May 22 and 5:00pm PDT on Sunday, May 23. Prior to those performances, Johnson and Dr. Adolphus Hailstork will appear on Stephanie’s MarshStream at 7:30pm PDT on Thursday, May 20 to discuss his work. Additional information can be found at www.themarsh.org/marshstream.

Robert Hartwell, Lauren Juengel, and Maya Bryant Join North Carolina Theatre in New Positions
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 27, 2021

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional regional theatre, has announced three new positions starting this spring, filled in preparation for live performance and the start of digital streaming in its 2021-22 season.  

North Carolina Theatre Announces Three New Positions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 25, 2021

North Carolina Theatre has announced three new positions starting this spring, filled in preparation for live performance and the start of digital streaming in its 2021-22 season.

U-M African American Music Conference Goes Virtual, Celebrates Willis Patterson's 90th Birthday
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2020

Scholars, composers and performers from across the U.S. will come together for a virtual event that will celebrate the upcoming 90th birthday of legendary bass singer, U-M alumnus and professor emeritus Willis Patterson.   The African American Music Conference, hosted by the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance, will take place virtually Sept. 18-20. The event is free and open to the public.  

Test Performance of New Edition of The Gershwins PORGY AND BESS to Take Place at U-M
by Julie Musbach - Feb 9, 2018

'Porgy and Bess' has been called the first great American opera, made all the more significant by being set in a black American community and performed by black artists in 1935, a time when black culture was exoticized by the country's white majority.