Sunday, February 6, 2022 - 7 PM
Ferst Performing Arts Center of Georgia Tech
(Located in Georgia Institute of Technology)
349 Ferst Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30332
Ferst Performing Arts Center of Georgia Tech
(Located in Georgia Institute of Technology)
349 Ferst Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30332
The World Premiere of
"Without Regard to Sex, Race or Color"
a composition for orchestra, soloists, and chorus by
D. Randolf Hooker
"Without Regard to Sex, Race or Color"
a composition for orchestra, soloists, and chorus by
D. Randolf Hooker
BACKGROUND
Without Regard to Sex, Race or Color is my second symphonic work. It is inspired by two works of photography by Atlanta-based photographer Andrew Feiler. Like Feiler's photography, the music speaks to themes and history surrounding the relationship of African Americans to education. Feiler's first work, Without Regard to Sex, Race or Color, for which my symphony is named, speaks to the struggles of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's) compared to the enormous contributions they have made to the creation of the black middle class and to creating American leaders in all aspects of life. His second book, A Better Life for Their Children, describes the Rosenwald Schools program founded by a partnership between famous black educator, Booker T. Washington, and by a Jewish businessman and philanthropist, Julius Rosenwald, (who made Sears, Roebuck the Amazon of its day in the early to mid-20th century.)
My symphonic suite was composed at the invitation of Feiler. It is a work in three movements. Part 1, A Heavy Lift, is the musical response to Feiler's first work. It provides a loose chronology of the beginnings and trajectory of HBCUs, employing an orchestra, narrators, soloists, and chorus. Part 2, J.R. and Booker T., is a musical essay about the partnership and friendship between the two men who founded the Rosenwald Schools program. Part 3, A Place When I Can Be, again employing vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra, is my own imagining of an unknown, yet hoped for, time and place (playing with Einstein's notion of space-time), in which the "straitjacket of race" and ethnicity will no longer define the daily existence of African Americans.
My symphonic suite was composed at the invitation of Feiler. It is a work in three movements. Part 1, A Heavy Lift, is the musical response to Feiler's first work. It provides a loose chronology of the beginnings and trajectory of HBCUs, employing an orchestra, narrators, soloists, and chorus. Part 2, J.R. and Booker T., is a musical essay about the partnership and friendship between the two men who founded the Rosenwald Schools program. Part 3, A Place When I Can Be, again employing vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra, is my own imagining of an unknown, yet hoped for, time and place (playing with Einstein's notion of space-time), in which the "straitjacket of race" and ethnicity will no longer define the daily existence of African Americans.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
WHEN: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 7:00pm
WHERE: Ferst Performing Arts Center of Georgia Tech
OTHER: This will be performed during the school year celebration of the 60th anniversary of the matriculation of African Americans to Georgia Tech. Doug Hooker is one of Tech's earlier African American alums. The organization's sponsor is The Trey Clegg Singers. The premiere will be the featured piece during the choruses annual Black History Month celebration.
WHEN: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 7:00pm
WHERE: Ferst Performing Arts Center of Georgia Tech
OTHER: This will be performed during the school year celebration of the 60th anniversary of the matriculation of African Americans to Georgia Tech. Doug Hooker is one of Tech's earlier African American alums. The organization's sponsor is The Trey Clegg Singers. The premiere will be the featured piece during the choruses annual Black History Month celebration.