WSO celebrates Black History Month with concert of classical music by Black composers

Four Windsor Symphony Orchestra performances will showcase 19th and 20th century black composers.

Black History Month was celebrated at Windsor’s Capitol Theatre with an intimate classical music concert Friday morning.

Patrons sat on stage with Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) string ensemble. In all, four WSO orchestra

performances will showcase 19th and 20th century black composers, including Coleridge Taylor’s four novelettes and living composer Adolphus Hailstork’s work - Sonata da Chiesa – the Church Sonata.

Geoffrey Larson is the assistant conductor of the WSO. For Larson, it’s an opportunity to marvel at the works of Black composers – artists who are not as well known in classical music circles.

“So, for the WSO, it’s a very important experience to both celebrate these creators and to connect with members of our community who maybe some of them are hearing this music for the first time,” said Larson. “Maybe they’re hearing the WSO for the first time. But it’s a tremendously valuable and I think, uplifting experience for all of us.”

Friday night, the WSO performs at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, and Saturday at the Sandwich First Baptist Church at 1 p.m.