Black Conductors (Magill Bibliographies) - Tapa dura

Both a source of new information and a well-documented perusal of published accounts of black conductors, this unique reference will serve students of classical and jazz music, black studies, and the sociology of music. An important book; recommended... * Library Journal * ...it will add substantially to the reader's understanding of African-American contributions to art music and culture. * SymphonyNOW * This book provides much information not readily found elsewhere. It should be useful to librarians in secondary schools, colleges and universities, and especially in public libraries. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association * ...an interesting and useful book, especially for less readily available information on classical conductors. * American Reference Books Annual * ...the most welcome addition to the field...the introductory material on the evolution and education of a conductor should be required reading for all music students, and acquisition librarians will want to examine the excellent bibliography. * CHOICE * ...a must for the library of every informed connoisseur of music....The first of its kind....Handy is uniquely qualified to cover her subject. * New York Amsterdam News *

Black Conductors is the first collective biography of Black American conductors of instrumental ensembles from the early 19th century to the present. Leaders of instrumental ensembles in the following areas are represented: traditional Western European (symphony, chamber, opera, and musical theater orchestra), concert and marching bands, and jazz (big bands). Fifty-four conductors are thoroughly profiled (with photos), with emphasis not only on their activities as identified, but also on the forces, trends, and issues (social, cultural, economic, racial, and political) that affected their lives and creative work in the highly competitive and exclusionary world of instrumental conducting. Well documented and indexed, the book also includes a historical overview of the art of conducting and discussions of conductor training, competitions, the anointment of conductors/music directors, opening doors for women, and Blacks in the conducting mainstream.