VIDEOS FOR DIVERSITY
By Pete Deshler
One of the best things about music is there is always more to learn. Another great thing about music is that it can bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve common goals. This list was created in the spirit of these two ideas.
I began creating this list in January 2020. Like so many other school districts, our superintendent had directed everyone to increase the multicultural content in our lessons. After some thought, I decided that using EdPuzzle was a quick way to achieve this. (My district has since moved on to Nearpod.). I began by researching some notable African-American musicians since February was coming up on the calendar. Then I looked for YouTube videos that were 5 minutes or less. Some of the videos were brief biographies and some were performances. The videos must be curated regularly. Sometimes videos are removed from YouTube, which causes the Nearpod to no longer work and sometimes I find a better video.
I tried to make the list as inclusive as possible, but it is limited in its scope. I am positive that I am missing some important individuals, but I consider this as an on-going project. This reflects my research to date. The information in this list came from many sources. Some of my sources include: nafme.org; npr.org; Wikipedia.org; si.edu (Smithsonian Institution); YouTube.com. Generally, I have concentrated on the classical and jazz genres while staying away from “popular” music. The “notable works” were chosen either because they were the most important work by that individual or I personally thought they were interesting. If you research these individuals, you will find a wealth of interesting and compelling music. There was simply too much to list.
One of the greatest things about this project is how well the students have bought into it. Some of the individuals on the list were brought to my attention by students. Besides increasing the multi-cultural content of my lessons, it has also exposed the students to more quality performances.
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic History Month
Dezi Arnez (1917-1986) [USA] bandleader, actor, film/TV producer |notable work: I Love Lucy
Pablo Casals (1876-1973) [Puerto Rico] cellist, composer, conductor
|notable work: “The Song of the Birds”
Celia Cruz (1925-2003) [Cuba/USA] Latin music singer |notable work: Ritmo En El Corazon
Gabriela Montero (b. 1970) [Venezuela/USA] pianist, composer
|notable work: Piano Concerto No. 1 “Latin Concerto”
Lin-Manuel Miranda (b. 1980) [USA] songwriter, actor, playwright |notable work: Hamilton
Angela Peralta (1845-1883) [Mexico] opera singer, composer, pianist, harpist
Tito Puente (1923-2000) [USA] bandleader, songwriter, record producer
|notable work: “Ran Kan Kan”
Juan Bautista Sancho (1772-1830) [California] composer |notable work: Missa de Los Angels
Arturo Sandoval (b. 1949) [USA/Cuba] Jazz trumpet player, pianist and composer
|notable work: “A Mis Abuelos”
Chucho Valdes (b. 1941) [Cuba] Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer/arranger
|notable work: Live at the Village Vanguard
el Gran Combo (founded in 1962) [Puerto Rico] Salsa band
|notable work: “De Trulla con el Combo”
South American Music
Alberto Ginestera (1916-1983) [Argentina] composer |notable work: Estancia, Op. 8
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959 ) [Brazil] composer, conductor, cellist, classical guitarist
|notable work: Bachianas Brasileiras
October is Italian History Month
Claudio Monteverdi (c. 1567-1643) [Italy] composer, choirmaster, string player
|notable work: L’Orfeo
Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) [Italy] film composer, conductor, trumpet player
|notable work: A Fist Full of Dollars
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594) [Italy] composer |notable work: “Sicut Cervus”
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) [Italy] opera composer |notable work: La bohme
Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) [Italy] opera composer |notable work: The Barber of Seville
Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901) [Italy] opera composer |notable work: Nabucco
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) [Italy] composer, violinist, impresario |notable work: Gloria
October is German History Month
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) [Germany] composer, organist
|notable work: Brandenburg Concertos
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) [Germany] composer, pianist
|notable work: Ein Deutsches Requiem
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) [Germany/Britain] composer
|notable work: The Messiah
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) [Austria] composer |notable work: Lord Nelson Mass
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) [Austria] composer |notable work: The Magic Flute
November is Native American Heritage Month
Steven Alvarez [Mescalero Apache/Yaqui] composer, percussionist, singer, actor,
film & stage producer |notable work: “Echoes”
Timothy Archambault (b. 1971) [Kickesipirini Algonquin First Nation] composer, flutist
|notable work: Memory Song
Dawn Avery [Mohawk] composer, cellist, vocalist, educator
|notable work: Our Fire: Contemporary Native American Song
Mildred Bailey (1907-1951) [Coeur d’Alene] jazz singer
|notable work: “Please Be Kind”
Louis W. Ballard [Quapaw/Cherokee] composer, “Father of Native American composition”
|notable work: Desert Triology
Raven Chacon (b. 1977) [Navajo] composer, artist |notable work: “Voiceless Mass”
Big Chief Russell Moore (1912-1983) [Pima] jazz trombonist
|notable work: Russell “Big Chief” Moore’s Powwow Jazz Band
Jim Pepper (1941-1992) [Muscogee/Kaw] jazz saxophonist, composer, singer
|notable work: Pepper’s Pow Wow
Atalie Unkalunt (1895-1954) [Cherokee] opera and Indianist singer, painter, author, activist
|notable work: The Earth Speaks
Zitkala-Sa aka Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (1876-1938) [Lakota Nation] composer, violinist,
writer, educator, political activist |notable work: The Sun Dance Opera
February is Black History Month
Marian Anderson (1897-1965) [USA] opera singer
|notable work: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) [USA] jazz trumpeter, singer
|notable work: “When the Saints Go Marching In”
Kathleen Battle (b. 1948) [USA] opera singer
|notable work: Kathleen Battle & Wynton Marsalis Baroque Duet
Harry Belafonte (b. 1927) [USA] singer, activist, actor |notable work: “Jump in the Line”
Miles Davis (1926-1991) [USA] jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer
|notable work: “So What?”
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) [USA] jazz pianist, bandleader, composer
|notable work: “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) [USA] jazz singer
|notable work: “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”
Billie Holiday (1915-1959) [USA] jazz singer |notable work: “Strange Fruit”
Scott Joplin (c. 1868-1917) [USA] pianist, composer |notable work: “The Entertainer”
Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961) [USA] trumpeter, composer, director of Jazz at Lincoln Center
|notable work: Marsalis Standard Time Vol. 1
Florence Price (1887-1953) [USA] composer, pianist, organist, music teacher
|notable work: Symphony No. 1 in E minor
William Grant Still (1895-1978) [USA] composer, conductor
|notable work: Afro-American Symphony
George Walker (1922-2018) [USA] composer, pianist, organist
|notable work: “Lilacs”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (founded 1960) [South Africa] male choral group
|notable work: “Homeless”
March is Women’s History Month (and Music in Our Schools Month)
Marin Alsop (b. 1956) [USA] conductor |notable work: Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1
Hildegard von Bingen (c. 1098-1179) [Germany] composer, writer, philosopher, scientist
|notable work: “O Frondens Virga”
Melanie Bonis (1858-1937) [France] composer
Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) [France] composer |notable work: “Pie Jesu”
Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979) [France] conductor, music teacher, composer
|notable work: “Fantaisie variee, piano, orchestra”
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) [France] |notable work: Flute Sonata
Renee Fleming (b. 1950) [USA] opera singer |notable work: Cosi fan tutti
Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729) [France] composer, harpsichordist
|notable work: Cephale et Procris
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) [USA] composer |notable work: “Blue Cathedral”
Tania Leon (b. 1943) [USA/Cuba] composer, conductor |notable work: “Indigena”
Loren Loiacono (b. 1989) [USA] composer, Kettle Corn New Music
|notable work: “Primum Non Nocere”
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847) [Germany] composer, pianist
|notable work: “Piano Sonata in C minor”
Nuria Rial (b. 1975) [Spain] opera singer |notable work: “l’Amore innamorato” – Cavalli
Clara Schumann (1819-1896) [Germany] composer, pianist
|notable work: “Piano Concerto in A minor”
Caroline Shaw (b. 1982) [USA] composer, violinist, singer |notable work: “Its Motion Keeps”
Helen Jones Woods (1923-2020) [USA] trombonist, “International Sweethearts of Rhythm”
|notable work:
Chen Yi (1953) [China/USA] composer, violinist |notable work: “Spring Festival”
Nina C. Young (b. 1984) [USA] composer |notable work: “Memento Mori”
Anonymous 4 (founded 1986) female a cappella quartet |notable work: “Ave Maris Stella”
Elektra Women’s Choir (founded 1987) [Canada] all-female choir
|notable work: Turlutte acadienne montrealaise
April is Middle Eastern History Month
Solhi Al-Wadi (1934-2007) [Iraq/Syria] composer, conductor
|notable work: “Trio for Piano, Violin & Cello
Salvador Arnita (1915-1985) [Palestine/Beirut] composer, organist
|notable work: Symphony No. 1
Pierre Bohemond [Lebanon/France/USA] composer, record producer
|notable work: “Shores of Phoenecia”
Halim El-Dabh (1921-2017) [Egypt/America] composer, ethnomusicologist
|notable work: “Leiyla and the Poet”
A. J. Racey composer, multi-instrumentalist
|notable work: Making Music in the Arabic World:
The Culture & Artistry of Tarab
Fazil Say (b. 1970) [Turkey] pianist, composer
|notable work: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra “Never Give Up”
Simon Shaheen (b. 1955) [Palestine/USA] composer, violinist, oudist
|notable work: Music of Waheeb
Toufic Succar (1922-2017) [Lebanon] composer |notable work: “Aqsaq” Symphonic Suite
Dia Succari (1938-2010) [Syria/France] composer |notable work: “La Nuit du Destin”
May is Asian Pacific Island History Month
Angelin Chang [USA] pianist |notable work: Schumann: Papilons
Sarah Chang (b. 1980) [USA] violinist
|notable work: Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1/Brahms: Violin Concerto
Viet Cuong (b. 1990) [USA] composer
|notable work: “RE(NEW)AL” Sandbox Percussion & Curtis Symphony
Alan Gilbert (b. 1967) [USA] conductor, violinist |notable work: Verdi Requiem
Akira Ifukube (1914-2006) [Japan] composer |notable work: Godzilla (1954)
Lang-Lang (b. 1982) [China] pianist |notable work: Dragon Songs
Lei Liang (b. 1972) [China/USA] composer |notable work: “Bamboo Lights”
Zhou Long (b. 1953) [China/USA] composer |notable work: Madame Whitesnake
Yo-Yo Ma (b. 1950) [USA] cellist |notable work: Hope Amid Tears – Beethoven: Cello Sonatas
Miya Masaoka (b. 1958) [USA] composer |notable work: “Off a Craggy Cliff”
Seiji Ozawa (b. 1935) [Japan] conductor
|notable work: Bartok: Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta
Christopher Tin (b. 1976) [USA] composer |notable work: “Baba Yetu”
May is Jewish American History Month
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) [USA] |notable work: Chichester Psalms
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) [Germany] notable work: Symphony No. 1
Steve Reich (b. 1936) [USA] composer |notable work: “Music for 18 Musicians”
Alex Weiser [USA] composer, Kettle Korn New Music
|notable work: “and all the days were purple”
July is French History Month
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) [France] composer, conductor
|notable work: Symphonie Fantastique
Georges Bizet (1838-1875) [France] composer |notable work: Carmen
Pierre Boulez (1925-2016) [France] composer, conductor |notable work: “The Sun of Waters”
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) [France] composer |notable work: Afternoon of a Faun
Maurice Durufle (1902-1986) [France] organist, composer, musicologist, teacher
|notable work: Requiem (Op. 9)
Cesar Franck (1822-1890) [Belgium/France] composer, pianist, organist
|notable work: 6 pieces for Grand Organ
Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377) [France] composer, poet
|notable work: Messe de Notre Dame
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) [France] composer, organist, ornithologist
|notable work: “Quartet for the End of Time”
Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) [France] composer, cellist, impresario
|notable work: Tales of Hoffmann
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) [France] composer, conductor
|notable work: Daphnis et Chloe
Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) [France] composer, conductor, organist, pianist
|notable work: The Carnival of the Animals
Estonian
Arvo Part (b. 1935) [Estonia] composer |notable work: “Magnificat”
This article was published in PMEA News Spring 2025.
Thinking Outside the “Bachs”
By Pete Deshler
Coming back to school in the 2021-22 school year was going to be an exciting time. We were finally going to be allowed to sing in the building again! I wanted to celebrate this fact and mark the return to singing with a special event. The only problem was, I didn’t know what that event should be.
Then I attended the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s 2021 Summer Composers Workshop, which was a very fulfilling and inspiring experience. I heard about this opportunity in 2020 through an email from the ASO. I had attended the first Workshop in the summer of 2020, but because of COVID restrictions, that Workshop was entirely on-line. In 2021, however, the Workshop was mostly in person at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. These workshops were open to any composers, regardless of skill level. Many of the sessions were led by the ASO Composer-in-Residence Chris Rogerson and ASO Music Director Diane Wittry. Each session had a different topic. Some topics included: “The importance of listening in composition”, “Composers as Entrepreneurs”, “Music Notation”, “Writing Music for Video Games”, “Film Composition”, “Music Licensing and Publishing” and more. Some of the guest speakers were: Tania Leon (2021 Pulitzer Prize winner), Alex Weiser (composer), Nina C. Young (composer), Tommy Tallarico (video game composer).
Each Workshop attendee was asked to submit some pieces that they were currently working on before the Workshop. The instrumentation for 2021 was violin and piano or voice and piano. During one of the sessions the attendees had some conference time with members of the ASO’s Composers’ Consortium, who gave the attendees feedback on their pieces. (The ASO Composers’ Consortium is made up of local college and high school faculty. The Consortium also has input regarding sessions at the Workshop.) These pieces were then performed in live reading sessions. During these sessions Chris Rogerson, Diane Wittry, the performing musicians and the Consortium members gave further feedback to the attendees, which was an invaluable resource for all of us. Attendees were even able make adjustments to their pieces and immediately hear the changes. I found these exchanges and discussion supportive, helpful and inspiring.
If you are interested in learning more about the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Composers Workshop, check out the ASO website: https://www.millersymphonyhall.org. Click on the Education & Engagement menu.
Participating in the ASO Summer Composers Workshop provided me with a lot of inspiration. I met some very talented people at the event. It occurred to me that I already knew several composers and I could have my group perform pieces written by these people. I also thought it would be a great experience to have these composers come talk to the students about their piece and their experiences as a composer. Unfortunately, because of continued Covid restrictions, we weren’t allowed to have visitors. So, I had to set up Zoom sessions with all the composers.
Our format for the Zoom sessions began with a quick greeting and an introduction of the composer. Next, the choir would perform the piece the composer wrote. The composer would then give performance suggestions to the ensemble. Finally, we would do a question/answer session with the composer. My teaching partner, John Shilanskas, and I came up with a list of questions for the composers. I would ask questions from this list and then mediate additional questions from the choir.
Here is the list of questions we used for the sessions:
1) What is your most memorable experience as a composer?
2) Who is your favorite composer(s)?
3) What was your first composition and how old were you when you wrote it?
4) What got you interested in music composition?
5) What degrees do you have and what was your career path?
6) What do you think is the most difficult part of being a composer?
7) How long did it take you to write the piece we’re working on?
The pieces and composers:
“I Dwell in Possibility” by Dr. Kirk O’Riordan
SATB and Wind Ensemble. This piece is only available from the composer. Dr. O’Riordan is a professor and the Director of Bands at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. He is also a prolific composer and saxophonist. We were honored to present the world premiere of this piece. This is a setting of the poem by Emily Dickinson. At our winter concert, we performed an a cappella version of this piece. We also performed it with our school wind ensemble at their spring concert and the Lafayette College Band at the college. The piece was written to be performed at the instillation of a new president at Lafayette College. I have studied composition with Dr. O’Riordan for over 10 years. https://www.kirkoriordan.com/
“Christmas Grace” by Charis Bean Duke
SATB. This piece is available from Holy Sheet Music.com. Charis Bean Duke is a professor at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is known for composing choral music and children’s operas. Charis and her husband write a Christmas carol every year which is included in their Christmas cards. This is one of those pieces. I met Charis at the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s 2021 Composers Summer Workshop. https://www.charisbeanduke.com/
“Credo” by Andrew Ardizzoia
SSA and piano. This piece is available from composers.com. Andrew Ardizzoia is a professor at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA where he is Director of Composition and Instrumental Studies. The poem was written by Alfred Kreymborg. This wonderful poem speaks to the indominable human spirit. We were honored to present the world premiere of this piece. I met Andrew at the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s 2021 Composers Summer Workshop. https://www.andrewardizzoia.info/
“Closer to the Flame” by David Lantz III
SATB and piano. This piece is available from J. W. Pepper. David Lantz III is a former public school music teacher and a prolific composer. He has several hundred published pieces available from various publishers. He recently started his own publishing company. We sang this piece at our spring concert and graduation. The inspirational text and catchy melody are perfect for a graduation ceremony. Another great feature about this piece is that all four voice parts are interesting to sing. I met David many years ago at a District 10 Chorus festival. https://lantzchoralpublications.com/about-lcp/
“Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart by Staid)” by Z. Randall Stroope
SSAB and piano, with optional brass and percussion. This piece is available from J. W. Pepper. There are multiple voicings available. A moving setting of an inspirational text that utilizes both English and Latin. Z. Randall Stroope is a prolific composer with over a hundred published pieces. He is in demand as a clinician and guest conductor. Dr. Stroope is also the founder and conductor of the New American Voices. I met Randall at the Lehigh University Composers Forum. https://www.zrstroope.com/
“Lamentations of Jeremiah” by Z. Randall Stroope
SATB and piano. This piece is available from J. W. Pepper. This is a modern setting of the traditional Latin text. It has a dark and mournful opening that builds into a driving, emotional piece. An intriguing piano part and mixed meter add to the excitement.
This was a great experience for all involved. The composers were very happy to hear their music performed and enjoyed interacting with the students. Several of them were even able to make it to our concert to hear their pieces live. The students told me these interactions gave them a deeper, more personal connection to the music and the composers. A year later, the students are still talking about these composer talks.
Composer talks are an engaging activity that anyone can implement in their classroom; even if you don’t have friends that are composers. If you don’t know any composers, don’t be afraid to reach out to your favorite composer through email. Or, reach out to a local composer and build a new relationship. Commissioning a new work that is written specifically for your ensemble is also a great way to create interest and excitement for your program.
Originally published in PMEA News spring 2023 issue.
“Why I Do What I Do”
“Take something you love, tell people about it, bring together people who share your love, and help make it better. Ultimately, you’ll have more of whatever you love for yourself and the world.” — Julius Schwartz
I believe these words from former DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz sums up why many of us in the arts “do what we do.” Something about our chosen art moves us at the core of our being and we wish to share that passion with others. Sharing is the underlying motif that connects all the arts. Art that is not shared has little or no purpose. Sharing is what give art its vitality, spurs new ideas and influences new artists. I’ve always felt that one of the best parts about the arts is that there is always something new to learn. New works are continually being created, the well of fresh experiences never runs dry. Also, so much art has been created in the past, by so many different people across the whole world, that no one person coud experience it all. The more a work is shared, the more life and meaning it receives. As artists, I feel it is our responsibility to continue this cycle of sharing with the next generation. This is what led me to education, even though I would not have been able to put it into words at the time.
Music moved me at an early age, but my first real encouragement came from my fourth grade band director. After my first band concert, I drew a musical staff in the back of my lesson book and created my first piece, “March of the Instruments.” When I showed my “masterpiece” to Mr. Gambone, he got very excited and urged me to continue composing and handed me my first stack of manuscript paper. After school that day, I immediately began my next piece. I had similar encouragement from other teachers in my school career: my middle school band director convincing me to take trombone lessons, the middle school choir director convincing me to join choir, and of course my private trombone teacher. When it came time for college, I decided that I wanted to encourage others the same way I had been encouraged, which is why I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at West Chester University.
All of the facets of my musical life revolve around sharing. As a music educator, I try to instill in my students a love of music as well as a passion for life-long learning. I would like all of my students to continue participating in music, even if it is only as a hobby. Sometimes as teachers, we learn as much as we instruct. I have gained many insights, both musical and educational, while helping students overcome their difficulties. Sharing is also a major component of the Jerusalem Singers’ mission. As director of the Jerusalem Singers, I am able to bring high-quality choral music directly to an audience that has probably never experienced it. In addition, we collect food for the homeless and raise money for charities. As a concert series coordinator and a member of the Wandering Singers, I am able to expose listeners to a variety of music, which they may not have heard in the past. Finally, like any other composer, I am always trying to share my works with new audiences.
I believe that art is part of what makes us uniquely human. Art is a gateway to our inner selves, our deepest emotions. I truly believe the world would be a better place if more of us would sing in a choir, create sculpture, write plays or dance. By creating art, we can share a small part of our humanity with others; perhaps if everyone on Earth could learn to communicate through art, we might find that we have more in common than we think.
This article was originally published in the 2011 September/October issue of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council newsletter.
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