Classical & Opera

Black-American classical music is a story of resilience. Black composers and performers have had a tremendous impact in shaping and reshaping the classical music landscape, but their contributions have often been ignored or undervalued throughout history. Despite the barriers of human bondage, segregation, Jim Crow, and cultural bias, Black musicians forged an innovative path in American classical music that impacted the world.

Though birthed from European classical tradition, Black-American artists and composers incorporated musical stylings that descended from Africa and were influenced by the Black experience in America. With a history that stretches back to colonial America, Black composers reached critical mass and begin mainstream cultural breakthroughs in the early 20th century with artists such as William Grant Still, Florence Price, and singer Roland Hayes, among many others.