Posted February 1, 2026
February Theme | #TakeAStand
Classical music’s canon has long sidelined Black composers, even as their work shaped the medium’s language and expanded its expressive range.
From the 18th‑century virtuoso Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint‑Georges, to 20th‑century pioneers like Florence Price and William Grant Still, Black composers have written symphonies, concertos, operas, and choral works that blend European forms with African‑diasporic rhythms, spirituals, and vernacular idioms.
These contributions challenge the myth that classical music is a single, monolithic tradition and instead reveal a plural, transatlantic history of innovation.
Despite this legacy, many of these composers were neglected in programming, publishing, and scholarship for decades. Recent efforts by orchestras, conservatories, and scholars are beginning to restore these works to the repertoire, but much remains to be done: programming choices, recording projects, and educational curricula still underrepresent Black composers relative to their historical impact.
Recognizing and performing these works does more than diversify a season; it reshapes how audiences understand the history and possibilities of classical music. When orchestras present pieces by Black composers alongside familiar repertoire, listeners hear a fuller, more accurate story of the art form; one that includes protest, spiritual resilience, and cross‑cultural synthesis as central, not peripheral, elements.
Spotlight Performances to Watch
- Florence Price — Concert Overture No. 1 (Sounds of Change, 2023)
Florence Price was the first Black woman to have her music performed by a major American orchestra, breaking barriers and opening doors for generations to come. -
Duke Ellington — Three Black Kings (Reformations, 2015)A brass‑forward salute placing Martin Luther King Jr. alongside biblical kings, blending jazz, gospel, and orchestral grandeur; featuring saxophonist Peter Sommer.
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Mary D. Watkins — Five Movements in Color (Patchwork Nation, 2025)A sweeping, multi‑movement portrait of the African‑American experience; the final movement channels the urgency of the civil rights era.
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Symphonic Sketches — by Mile High FilmsCatch a powerful moment from Mile High Films’ Symphonic Sketches featuring DPO principal clarinetist Kwami Barnett reflecting on William Grant Still’s Afro‑American Symphony.
Take A Stand with Us
If you’re inspired by February’s theme…
- Listen actively: Give these works your full attention. Note how musical choices mirror historical realities.
- Donate or attend a concert to support diverse programming
- Share a story of your favorite Black composer/piece using #TakeAStand and tag @denverphilorch across socials. Feel free to download one of our Take a Stand badges!
