Saturday, June 28, 2008

Grant Park Music Festival Celebrates William Grant Still's Role in 125 Years of American Music

[Afro-American Symphony; William Grant Still; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Karl Kruger, conductor; Bridge 9086 (1999)]

Free concerts in Chicago make summer sizzle
BY WALTER SKIBA
Times Correspondent | Friday, June 27, 2008 |

With a world-class orchestra and chorus, one of the best sound systems for outdoor concerts and the Chicago skyline in full view, the Grant Park Music Festival regularly fills pavilion and lawn space.” “At 8 p.m. July 2 and 5, Bill McGlaughlin, host of WFMT's popular program 'Exploring Music,' will take audiences on an orchestral journey through 125 years of American classical music -- from George Chadwick, William Grant Still and Leonard Bernstein to John Adams and Chicago composers today. The performances are scheduled to be taped live for later, nationally syndicated broadcast.

“Developed through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to the WFMT Radio Network, 'Exploring Music' airs at 7 p.m., Monday-Friday. McGlaughlin offers interesting and understandable musical and historical insights in an engaging fireside manner to introduce and occasionally follow recordings built around program themes. Since 1980, McGlaughlin has served as host of the public radio program 'St. Paul Sunday' (7-8 a.m., Sundays on WBEZ, 91.5 FM). He also has performed as a trombonist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony and conducted various orchestras.” [The African American composer William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com] Full Post






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