History is Made on Broadway

History has been made in an exciting way on Broadway. For the first time, Broadway has four shows with African American men as music directors and conductors.

From Left: Waters, Mark, Joubert and Becton

Daryl Waters, music supervisor and conductor, "After Midnight"

Zane Mark, music director and conductor , "Holler If Ya Hear Me"

Joseph Joubert, music director and conductor, "Mowtown the Musical"

Shelton Becton, conductor, pianist, and performer, "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill"

In an industry that is historically and still predominately Caucasian, these four men are part of an important step in moving Broadway in the right direction. With extremely impressive musical backgrounds, these men have worked hard for years to get where they are today.

Both Joubert and Becton mention their predecessors within the industry. Becton notes: "We are the offspring of such trailblazers as Joyce Brown, Linda Twine, Harold Wheeler, Luther Henderson, and more. Hopefully it means that there is a greater acceptance of individual qualifications and less consideration of skin hues." We agree, and hope that everyone has an equal opportunity to follow their dreams. We are glad to see news like this, that will continue to open the doors for musicians of color.

"Let's hope this positive trend keeps up!"

-Joseph Joubert

Resource:
http://t.amsterdamnews.com/news/2014/jun/26/african-american-conductors-make-history-broadway/#.U64hBtqkkN0.twitter
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2014/07/20/black-conductors-make-history-on-broadway/


Check back next week to see our next blog post, which is about an organization who is bringing cultures together using art and music.


Heather (iCA President)

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