For Musicians interested in joining please see the following ensembles below and click wherever you see ”HERE” to register.
The Black String Triage Ensemble
A String Orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass) of Black and Latinx musicians who play Triage Concerts in the immediate aftermath of tragic events. The orchestra prioritizes shootings and police brutality occurrences in its response. This does not dismiss the need to respond to car accidents, overdose deaths, or possibly even house fires.
Music Repertoire: Black & Latinx composers across all genres. Past music has included pieces from a variety of genres. This has included but is not limited to Spirituals; Jazz; Soul; Reggae; Gospel; Blues; Tango; Folk Music; and Classical.
Rehearsal Frequency: Weekly January through May. All rehearsals are closed to the public, with the exception of the Annual Open Rehearsal.
Triage Concerts: Select weekends in June; July; & August (September - weather permitting).
Participation: Open to Black and Latinx string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) age 18 and up. There is no audition required to participate. If you would like to join please click HERE.
Legion of the Soul
A Sister String Orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass) of non-Black and non-Latinx musicians that assist The Black String Triage Ensemble in Peacekeeping Missions.
As a Sister Sting Orchestra, the musicians in Legion of the Soul share a commitment to fighting systemic racism and ending police brutality. The musicians in both orchestras hear and feel the pain of what has transpired. When a civic disturbance has occurred and a governing jurisdiction institutes a curfew, Legion of the Soul is called together with The Black String Triage Ensemble for a Peacekeeping Mission Concert. The music is used to disarm people, cool tempers, and channel simmering rage.
Music/Repertoire: Spirituals; Latinx Classical Composers & Black Classical Composers.
Rehearsal Frequency: Twice Monthly from January through May. All rehearsals are closed to the public.
Peacekeeping Mission Concerts: May - September (weather permitting)
Participation: Open to Non-Black and Non-Latinx string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) age 18 and up. There is no audition required to participate. If you would like to join please click HERE.
The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra
The membership of The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra is divided into thirds. 1/3 professional musicians; 1/3 educators & community; 1/3 music students in college or high school. The core of the orchestra is made up of Black and Latinx musicians with musicians from all colors, creeds and backgrounds throughout the orchestra as colleagues.
The emphasis of the mission of The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra is education and community. The orchestra supports music teachers, aspiring music teachers, retired music educators, and community musicians by providing an artistic vehicle for their talents.
Music/Repertoire: Symphonic Music from a Black and Latinx perspective and playing music of other styles from across the Black Diaspora. To show the united threads across the diaspora, every concert starts with drums. At symphonic concerts, drums are used to start and end the intermission, in addition to starting the concert.
Rehearsal: See Calendar
Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Concerts: See Calendar
Symphonic Concerts: See Calendar
Dance/Ballet: The Black Diaspora Orchestra is committed to exhibiting the power of dance in Black and Latinx culture. Once a year the orchestra places dance at the center of its focus by being the pit orchestra to a dance production.
Opera: The Black Diaspora Orchestra uses the combined power of poetry, music, dance, and drama to produce opera. Once a year, The Black Diaspora Orchestra works with singers and dancers and set designers to put on an operatic production.
Participation: Open to professional musicians; music educators; community musicians; college students; and interested high school students. If you would like to join please click HERE