| Grant Park Music Festival 2008 - Conversation with the soloists Part 1 |
| Wednesday, 30 July 2008 | |
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MHS recently had the opportunity to converse with three soloists of the prestigious 2008 Grant Park Music Festival. The Festival showcases a highly-selective roster of international stars, few of whom are African American. Fewer still who are African American men. For example, Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves opened the 1997 season. Jubilant Sykes performed at the 1999 Festival. The lack of a visual presence of African Americans in classical music continues to thwart many of our careers in a variety of ways. This visual presence seems compounded in Chicago, a city that slides up & down the Top 5 scale for Most Segregated Cities in the U.S. Therefore, I was astounded and excited that the Festival chose bass-baritone Darren K. Stokes and sopranos Harolyn Blackwell and Jonita Lattimore to educate audiences with their presence. Three African American soloists in the same month! I wondered about the various pathways that lead theses individuals to the Festival's stage and decided to interview each to find out. I conversed with each on a number of subjects from being African American in classical music to advice for aspiring musicians. The trio revealed similar philosophies on career-building strategies, work-ethic and keeping it real. In fact, many of their sentiments were so similar, I combined their interviews to further emphasize their message. Amidst the laughter and sincerity of our conversations gleamed tidbits of wisdom from these awe-inspiring vocalists. How does one become a classical musician as opposed to finding a musical path of the popular African American music culture (jazz, R&B, gospel)? Is there any one way to embark on a successful career as a classical musician of color? Are there any formulas that will let the hopeful musician know whether he or she should pursue the career?  Blackwell Although neither of her parents were musicians, her family often listened to an eclectic variety of music at home. Then in the 4th grade, her school teacher recognized that Blackwell had a voice and introduced her to classical music. By the 6th grade, she was taking private voice lessons. At the time, she was singing musical theatre, which was more operatic than the theatrics we see on Broadway today. She studied with different teachers, some classical, and she tried different repertoire. Blackwell remembered that her transition from musical theatre to opera was not a difficult one. Her training on stages, always in front of audiences, helped to guide her career. Jonita Lattimore agreed that stage experience and singing a variety of styles proves invaluable to the aspiring artist.  Lattimore “I was so young [at the time of the tour], I couldn’t even comb my own hair!” she laughed. “So my mom just put me in French braids and sent me on my way.” With a mother who emphasized academics in addition to music, Ms. Lattimore attended Kenwood Academy, a 7-12 grade school in Chicago with an aggressive academic and music curriculum. An honor roll student, she enrolled as a vocal major in high school and was a soloist for the inauguration of Harold Washington, the first African American Mayor of Chicago. “My teacher at Kenwood, Lena McLin, was a fabulous singer, composer, and pianist. She taught so many different people in classical, jazz, R&B... People like Mandy Patinkin, Robert Kelly… that’s R. Kelly, you know? Tammy McCann, she was a Raylette! Chaka Khan… My piano teacher was Angela Wright, who helped to create the musician I am today by cultivating my musical ear.” Wright emphasized theory, harmony and ear training. “That helped to develop me as a musician, not just a pianist.” Having developed herself as a pianist and a vocalist, Ms. Lattimore needed to make a decision. “I went to NANM (National Association of Negro Musicians) conferences and made a lot of wonderful relationships there. Bill Warfield helped me make my decision on where to go to school.” With her background airtight, she auditioned for the Eastman School of Music and received the William Warfield Endowed Scholarship Fund. “I received his scholarship! I’ll never forget his friendship, wisdom and guidance.” Now, if these two musical backgrounds seem to be what you expect—nurturing musical homes and teachers who take an interest—then get ready for Darren K. Stokes. This 4-part series continues Sunday, August 10 and every Sunday thereafter.
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