In recognition of Black History Month, the University of Washington School of Music has recently released “The Black Composers Project, Music for Organ” under the direction of Dr. Stephen Price, head of UW Organ Studies. With the assistance of six UW students from the flute, voice, violin, and organ studios he has produced a one-hour video which includes outstanding individual performances by students and one by Dr. Price along with introductions by Dr. Anne Searcy, Associate Professor of Music History at UW.
It was a privilege to feature music from the African diaspora
–Stephen Price
Price, a member of both the Tacoma and Seattle AGO chapters, started planning for this comprehensive project in the summer of 2024. To highlight the evolution of organ music, he includes composers in the video ranging from the Classical era to the 21st century: Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799); Scott Joplin (1868-1917); Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912); Florence Price (1887-1953); Charles Loyd, Jr. (b. 1948); Euridice Osterman (b. 1950); and David Hurd (b 1950.) As the final piece, Price improvises his own rousing accompaniment to the beloved spiritual “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit.”
The video is enriched by Dr. Anne Searcy’s enlightening commentary about the historical background on each composer. She includes not only biographical details but interesting footnotes. As one example, did you know that the great Black contralto Marian Anderson performed settings of spirituals by Florence Price in her historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939? Dr. Searcy, along with the other performers, also discusses many aspects of the music itself.
The organs played in the video were chosen from the instruments in Seattle which the School of Music utilizes for lessons, practice sessions, and recitals. They include organs from St. Mark’s Cathedral (Flentrop), Plymouth UCC (Fisk), Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Bigelow), St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (Fritts/Richards, Op. 4), and University of Washington (Fritts, Op. 9).
Regarding his experience as artistic director of this project, Price has stated that “it was a privilege to feature music from the African diaspora, showcasing the richness and diversity within the culture.” With this video he and the UW School of Music have offered us a valuable tool for both appreciating and delighting in that same richness and diversity.