On Sept 22, 2012 MusicUNTOLD, KUSC Classical Radio and the Colburn Foundation presented a concert celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION at the AT&T Center Theatre downtown Los Angeles. The concert included solo and duet performances by violinist Sanford Allen (who became the 1st African American violinist hired by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in 1962) and Los Angeles violist Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama. The concert also included performances by tenor George Shirley and educator/pianist Althea Waites. George Shirley had previously performed 28 major roles in 26 operas during his 11 seasons with the Metropolitan Opera and he earned a 1968 Grammy Award.
Violist Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama’s earliest awareness of African American female composer Florence Price was from a recording and friendship with educator/pianist Althea Waites.
Please see Dec 5, 2021 reunion pic of pianist Althea Waites, violist/composer Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama and presenter John Malveaux at Walt Disney Concert Hall following the closing performance of Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama’ “PRIMAL MESSAGE” with Xian Zhang conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
