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This penciled manuscript of sheet music was shared by the composer with Presenting AfroClassical Composers founder, Michael Ligon.
This work was composed in 1970 over the Easter weekend by Howard University Music Professor Thomas H. Kerr, Jr. It was composed for pianist Natalie Hinderas, professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who was recording a 1971 Desto Records release entitled: Piano Music by Black Composers.
Notably, all the composers on that recording were males, even though there were Black female composers at the time, and before. Frances Walker (younger sister of later Pulitzer Prize-winning George Walker) was an accomplished pianist and professor at Oberlin College. She championed the work of Black female composers, as did Music Historian Hellen Walker-Hill, who authored From Spirituals to Symphonies, African-American Women Composer and Their Music.
Today, many recordings feature female Black composers. Pianist Maria Corley is one such artist.
Her recordings include works by such female composers as Margaret Bonds and Valerie Capers.
Presenting AfroClassical Composers is in discussions with Dr. Corley to perform at the inaugural live gathering planned for October of this year in Los Angeles.
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