Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month

Explore a selection of works by Black composers, choreographers, and performers in celebration of Black History Month.

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Celebrating Black History Month
  • “Were You There?” | Claiming Your Space

    Excerpted from “Claiming Your Space: A Celebration of Black Music at Juilliard”. View the program here: https://www.juilliard.live/videos/claiming-your-space-2024

    Hosted earlier this year by distinguished visiting faculty member Denyce Graves, this concert commemorates the 90th anniversary of a ...

  • The Jaunt | Jamar Roberts

    This world-premiere performance of Jamar Roberts’ “The Jaunt” was performed by Juilliard’s dance class of 2024 as part of New Dances: Edition 2022.

    Music:
    “Agents of the Universe” from the album “The Choice” by Kamasi Washington
    “Spirit Call” from the album “Earth II” by SAULT
    “Can You Hear Hi...

  • Suite of Dances and Songs by Ignatius Sancho | Historical Performance

    Juilliard415 presents a Suite of Dances and Songs by Ignatius Sancho, arranged by Nicola Canzano. 

    Ignatius Sancho was a writer, shopkeeper, abolitionist, and composer, celebrated in the late 18th century as a prolific cultural contributor. He published four collections of compositions and a tr...

  • Ki moun ou ye (Who are you) | Nathalie Joachim

    Created by composer and Creative Associate Nathalie Joachim, this performance weaves together vocal samples, somber flute tones, and longing melodies that take listeners on a journey of discovery and defining of self. Made in collaboration with director and choreographer Chanel DaSilva, this inti...

  • Claiming Your Space: A Celebration of Black Music at Juilliard

    Hosted earlier this year by distinguished visiting faculty member Denyce Graves, this concert commemorates the 90th anniversary of a concert—organized by Black Juilliard students and curated by renowned composer H.T. Burleigh—celebrating the work of Black artists and composers. "Claiming Your Spa...

  • Valerie Coleman’s “The Calling of the Wind!” | MAP Wind Ensemble

    As part of MAP’s 30th anniversary, the young wind ensemble from our Preparatory Division, conducted by Terry Szor, performs this world premiere by flutist and composer Valerie Coleman.

    During the 2021–22 school year, Coleman joined MAP for a residency through American Composers Forum (ACF) and...

  • Wynton Marsalis’ “The Ever Fonky Lowdown” | Juilliard Jazz Orchestra

    This American jazz oratorio composed and arranged by Wynton Marsalis (’81, trumpet) involves a big band, a Greek-style chorus of four jazz vocalists and a narrator, and a rich survey of American musical styles. This excerpt features Parts 1 and 2 of “The Ballad of Fannie Lou” with Damien Sneed co...

  • “African Dance No. 2” | Claiming Your Space

    Excerpted from “Claiming Your Space: A Celebration of Black Music at Juilliard”. View the program here: https://www.juilliard.live/videos/claiming-your-space-2024

    Hosted earlier this year by distinguished visiting faculty member Denyce Graves, this concert commemorates the 90th anniversary of a ...

  • Village | Preparatory Division Commission, Dance

    Set to an original composition by composer Kendall Williams, commissioned by Juilliard’s Prep Division, “Village” brings together young performers from Juilliard’s Preparatory Division and the Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School, as well as dancers and choreographers from...

  • "It Takes a Village" | Documentary

    Take a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of "Village," a unique collaboration between Juilliard's Preparatory Division, Juilliard Dance, Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School (WHIN), and composer Kendall Williams.

  • Sir Antonio Pappano Conducts Coleridge-Taylor | Juilliard Orchestra

    Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the Juilliard Orchestra in this lush and vivacious work. Best known as the composer of “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast,” Samuel Coleridge-Taylor composed this piece just two months before his famous cantata.

    Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)
    Ballade in A Minor, Op. 33 ...

  • James Lee III’s “Towards Irresistible Praise” | MAP Wind Ensemble

    The MAP Wind Ensemble, conducted by Terry Szor, is proud to present the world premiere of “Towards Irresistible Praise” (2022) by the 2022-2023 season’s MAP composer in residence, James Lee III. 

    The premiere of “Towards Irresistible Praise” is the culmination of Lee’s time with Juilliard’s Pr...

  • The Close-ers | Jermaine Maurice Spivey and Spenser Theberge

    This world-premiere performance of Jermaine Maurice Spivey and Spenser Theberge’s “The Close-ers” was performed by, and choreographed in collaboration with, Juilliard’s dance class of 2023 as part of New Dances: Edition 2022.

    When beginning this process with the fourth-years, we were reminded of...

  • Women of Color in Jazz | Juilliard Jazz Dave Brubeck Ensemble

    Enjoy two excerpts from an evening focused on the contributions of international women of color in jazz music.

    Toshiko Akiyoshi (b. 1929, in Liaoyang, Manchuria)
    “A Long Yellow Road”
    A pianist and composer who was the first Japanese student admitted to Berklee College of Music, Toshiko Akiyosh...

  • Adolphus Hailstork’s “An American Port of Call” | Juilliard Orchestra

    “The concert overture, in sonata-allegro form captures the strident (and occasionally tender and even mysterious) energy of a busy American port city. The great port of Norfolk, Virginia, where I live, was the direct inspiration.”—Adolphus Hailstork

    Adolphus Hailstork wrote “An American Port of ...