Topic: An African American Experience depicted in Prayer Service for Earnestine
Abstract:
In the summer 2017, Professor Matthew Evan Taylor was commissioned by the Metropolis Ensemble to write a new work for chamber orchestra. The recent death of his beloved grandmother, Earnestine Colvin Taylor, weighed heavily on him. So, for the first time, he wrote a piece in response to his grief. The result was Prayer Service for Earnestine, a piece for fourteen instruments. In it, Prof. Taylor wrote episodes inspired by his memories of going to church with Mrs. Taylor. For his lecture, Prof. Taylor will go into detail regarding traditions and experiences in the black church, and how he decided to depict them in his piece. He will then play a recording of the piece.