Festival Highlights the Music and Musical Legacy of Composer Julia Perry

Published March 7, 2024 at 5:51 AM EST

Composer Julia Perry was the first African-American woman to have her work performed by the New York Philharmonic, and A Tempo this Saturday (3/9 at 7 pm) previews the upcoming Julia Perry Festival marking the centennial anniversary of her birth.

The Julia Perry Centenary Celebration and Festival, which runs March 13 - 16, will showcase Perry's chamber, choral and orchestral works, and also feature lectures and panel discussions about her life, music and legacy. A Tempo host Rachel Katz this week speaks with festival organizers Dr. Louise Toppin, a University of Michigan voice professor, founder of the African Diaspora Music Project and Artistic Director of Videmus, and James Blachly, Music Director of the Experiential Orchestra, about what made Perry's pieces so unique and the efforts to bring her music back into the repertoire.

1 of 2 — Louise Toppin.jpg

Louise Toppin

2 of 2 — James Blachly headshot - credit Allison Stock.jpg

James Blachly

Photo by Allison Stock