In honor of Black History Month, the Jacksonville Symphony highlights the remarkable contributions of African American composers and artists, alongside our diverse programming and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) efforts throughout the 2024/25 Season. Follow us on Instagram for weekly updates on how we are celebrating Black History Month and showcasing these important initiatives.
Groundbreaking musical visionaries: African American composers
Brittany J. Green, a North Carolina-based composer, performer and educator, has been hailed as “a creative force of attention-seizing versatility” (The Washington Post) and “cinematic in the best sense” (Chicago Classical Review). Her work explores intersections of sound, video, movement and text, often through the lens of African American feminist and queer theory. A recipient of numerous awards, including the American Academy of Arts and Letters’ Charles Ives Scholarship, Green’s compositions have been featured by ensembles such as the International Contemporary Ensemble and JACK Quartet. This season, her piece TESTIFY! had its world premiere through the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program at the Jacksonville Symphony’s opening Florida Blue Classical Series concert, Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto.
Carlos Simon, GRAMMY®-nominated composer and current Composer-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center, seamlessly blends gospel, jazz and neo-romantic influences to craft music that resonates deeply with audiences. With commissions and premieres from esteemed institutions such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and BBC Proms, Simon’s work continues to inspire and innovate. This season, his piece Motherboxx Connection, which celebrates the inspiring stories of African American heroes, will be featured in the Jacksonville Symphony’s Gershwin & Tchaikovsky performances on January 10 and 11. His Jacksonville Symphony commission, Zodiac, will also have its world premiere in the Symphony’s 2024/25 Season finale, Gershwin & Copland on June 6 and 7.
Valerie Coleman, GRAMMY®-nominated flutist and composer, is celebrated as one of The Washington Post’s “Top 35 Women Composers” and Performance Today’s 2020 “Classical Woman of the Year.” Founder of the acclaimed Imani Winds, she has premiered works with top orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. Her piece Seven O’Clock Shout will be performed by the Jacksonville Symphony in the Florida Blue Classical concert, Dvořák’s New World, on April 25 and 26. Known for blending storytelling with cultural themes, Coleman’s music is widely performed and published by Theodore Presser and Coleman Music.
Today’s musical voices: African American artists
Take 6, the most awarded a cappella group in history, has redefined harmony with their captivating blend of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop. Heralded by the late Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet,” this multi-platinum sextet and Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees are the quintessential model of vocal genius. With 10 GRAMMY® Awards, 10 Dove Awards and a Soul Train Award, their virtuosic voices have earned praise from legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. On March 29, Take 6 joins the Jacksonville Symphony for a 75th Season Special, combining their unparalleled talent with the Symphony’s powerful orchestrations.
The Marcus Roberts Trio—pianist Marcus Roberts, drummer Jason Marsalis and bassist Rodney Jordan—is renowned for its innovative approach to jazz, blending influences from Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson and Erroll Garner with global inspirations. Known for their almost telepathic on-stage communication, the trio shares equal roles in shaping music, seamlessly shifting tempo, mood and texture with dynamic spontaneity. Their performances are marked by rhythmic and harmonic contrasts, captivating audiences with energy and joy. On January 10 and 11, they join the Jacksonville Symphony for the Gershwin & Tchaikovsky performances, showcasing their signature artistry.
Conductor Herb Smith is celebrated for his dynamic versatility across classical and jazz genres, inspiring audiences as a performer, conductor, composer and educator. He holds the third trumpet chair in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, leads the Gateways Festival Orchestra and performs with the nationally acclaimed Gateways Brass Collective. Smith has collaborated with luminaries like Aretha Franklin and Jeff Beck and composed works ranging from brass ensemble pieces to jazz and ballet scores. Notably, he co-founded Herb’s City Trumpets, mentoring young, African American musicians in Rochester. From December 5-8, he conducted the Jacksonville Symphony in highly praised Holiday Pops performances.
Campbell Walker Fields is a versatile vocalist and keyboardist equally at home on concert, theatre and arena stages. Launching his career at nine with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s Oliver!, he has since performed in productions like Seussical the Musical and the world premiere of FLY. A standout competitor on NBC’s America’s Got Talent (Season 11), Campbell has also performed as a soloist with orchestras like the OKC Philharmonic and appeared at venues such as NYC’s Birdland. A graduate of Classen School for Advanced Studies, he is known for his captivating National Anthem performances and his teaching role at Pocono Mountains Performing Arts Camp. This December, he starred as a featured vocalist in the Jacksonville Symphony’s Holiday Pops performances.
Shaleah Adkisson, a dynamic singer and actress, has captivated audiences nationwide for over 18 years. Her Broadway and touring credits include Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical and the off-Broadway revival of Rent as Joanne. Other notable roles span productions such as Clybourne Park, Avenue Q and Beehive: The 60’s Musical. Since 2013, Adkisson has toured with all-female tribute shows like Back to the Garden and August 1969: A Tribute to the Women of Woodstock. Offstage, she manages in-school theater and dance programs at New York City Center. This October, Adkisson performed in the Jacksonville Symphony’s Dancing Queens: Cher, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston & More as part of the Pops Series.
Byron Stripling is one of America’s most sought-after Pops orchestra performers. Known for his jazzy vocals, virtuoso trumpet skills and engaging stage presence, he has dazzled audiences with leading orchestras across the U.S. and Canada, including the Boston Pops, National Symphony and Toronto Symphony. He is an acclaimed singer, trumpeter and is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. A featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and on PBS’s Evening at Pops, Stripling also serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Formerly Lead Trumpeter with the Count Basie Orchestra, he has performed with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck and Lionel Hampton. On March 21 and 22, Stripling will lead the Jacksonville Symphony as Conductor and Trumpeter in the Gershwin & Berlin program.
Sydney McSweeney’s distinctive blend of jazz, gospel and pop stylings has made her one of the country’s most sought-after young vocalists. Known for her dynamic performances with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and her acclaimed nightclub appearances, she captivates audiences nationwide. A devoted educator, McSweeney balances a busy schedule of recording sessions and performances with teaching. She will join the Jacksonville Symphony as a featured vocalist in the Gershwin & Berlin performances on March 21 and 22.
Sidney Outlaw, praised by The New York Times as a “terrific singer” with a “deep, rich timbre,” is an internationally acclaimed baritone known for his powerful performances on opera and concert stages. Recent highlights include debuts with the California Symphony in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem, as well as collaborations with renowned pianist Warren Jones. A GRAMMY®-nominated artist and passionate educator, Outlaw balances his vibrant performing career with teaching voice at Manhattan School of Music and Brooklyn College while pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education from Columbia Teachers’ College. In December, he performed as the Baritone soloist in the Jacksonville Symphony’s performances of Handel’s Messiah.
Thomas Wilkins, acclaimed for his ability to connect with audiences of all ages, is Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Artistic Advisor for Education and Community Engagement with the Boston Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of the Virginia Symphony. A passionate advocate for lifelong musical engagement, he has led major orchestras across the United States, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Among his many honors, Wilkins has received the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award and the League of American Orchestras’ Gold Baton Award. On February 6 and 7, he will conduct the Jacksonville Symphony in A Journey Through Symphonic Americana.
Linda Cole, a celebrated vocalist from the Cole Family Dynasty, began performing at the age of three and gained acclaim as part of the “Singing Cole Family,” recognized in the 1960s for their contributions to American music. With decades of experience spanning Motown to jazz, Cole is a passionate advocate for preserving the Great American Songbook and promoting jazz education. She has also made significant contributions to arts appreciation in Central and Northeast Florida, alongside her community work supporting advocacy centers and victims of crime. On January 26, she will be a featured vocalist in the Jacksonville Symphony’s Local Vocals program, part of the JP Morgan Chase & Co. Jazz Series.
Melodies of diversity: artistic programming
This October, the Jacksonville Symphony celebrated iconic “Dancing Queens” like Donna Summer and Whitney Houston in its second Pops Series program, featuring powerhouse vocalists Shaleah Adkisson, Alex Getlin, Carole J. Bufford and John Fischer. As the Symphony honors Black History Month, it highlights the lasting cultural impact of trailblazers like Summer and Houston, whose groundbreaking artistry continues to inspire generations and genres. Their groundbreaking achievements in music laid the foundation for countless artists and serve as a testament to the enduring impact of African American excellence in shaping the fabric of American pop culture.
On February 21 and 22, the Jacksonville Symphony highlights the rich legacy of soul music with a powerful tribute to legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green and more. Featuring timeless hits such as “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” “Let’s Stay Together,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Lean on Me,” this program honors the groundbreaking contributions of these trailblazers in American music. As part of the Symphony’s celebration of Black History Month, this performance highlights the profound influence of African American artists in shaping the soul genre and its influence on culture and society.
This season, the JP Morgan Chase & Co. Jazz Series highlights the rich legacy of jazz, including the groundbreaking contributions of African American artists. The series opened in November with Big Band Holiday, featuring music from legends like Duke Ellington and the Stan Kenton Band. On January 26, Local Vocals will spotlight works by jazz greats such as Mitchell Parish and Johnny Hodges.
Future musical changemakers: DEI initiatives
The Jacksonville Symphony is dedicated to fostering a culture rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), which we view as core principles in all aspects of our work. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our community within our patrons, orchestra, staff and board. Our strategic plan, extending through June 2027, focuses on diversifying our programming, ensuring long-term financial stability, expanding music education efforts, engaging more diverse audiences and strengthening community involvement. We are making significant progress toward these goals, with measurable outcomes in place to track our advancements.
Click here to learn more about the Symphony’s DEI goals, strategies and achievements.
A key part of our DEI efforts is to broaden the diversity of our concert audiences and attract musicians from a wide array of backgrounds. In this pursuit, we are proud to continue our partnership with Sphinx, a Detroit-based organization committed to “transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.” Sphinx supports emerging musicians, seasoned professionals and arts administrators, helping to build a more inclusive arts community. In the 2024/25 Season, the Symphony will welcome 10 Sphinx musicians to the stage, continuing our commitment to diversity and excellence in symphonic music.
Additionally, Vice President and General Manager Blake Schlabach, along with DEI team members Kate Caliendo and Jim Johnson, has launched an initiative to introduce new musicians to the Jacoby Symphony Hall stage, based on recommendations from Jacksonville Symphony musicians. These musicians will have the opportunity to perform as substitutes and extra players throughout the season. The Symphony is also developing a new initiative aimed at enhancing diversity within the audition process, with the goal of creating a more diverse pool of candidates and, over time, a more diverse core orchestra.
The Jacksonville Symphony is proud to offer a wide variety of music education programs that serve students from diverse backgrounds. One standout initiative is the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO), which supports over 200 talented musicians from across Northeast Florida. The program includes six ensembles, ranging from two full symphonies to four levels of string groups, providing opportunities for students at various proficiency levels. Through these ensembles, we encourage musical growth while upholding diversity, equity and inclusion as core values, helping to shape a bright future for music education.
Explore outside Jacoby Symphony Hall
Jacksonville holds a rich and vibrant African American history. For more ways to join the Jacksonville Symphony in celebrating this special month, venture upon Florida’s Black Heritage Trail and visit inspirational sites including the Ritz Theatre and Museum and the Eartha M.M. White Museum at the Clara White Mission. Visit visitjacksonville.com/blog/black-heritage-trail/ to learn more.
