The Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra: A Two-Part Course

TUES | APRIL 8 & THUR | APRIL 10
3:00-4:30 p.m.

Part 1: The Phillips Brothers | Black Musicians in the Origins of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Part 2: Race Discrimination in American Orchestras | Origins, Outcomes, and Today’s Responses

Dr. Karika Parker, WMU Lewis Walker Institute
Liz Youker, KSO Vice President of Artistic Operations and Education

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Unbeknownst to many, the Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra of Kalamazoo was a classical musical foundation for the current Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. In this discussion-based course, we will delve into the historical and photographic record of the Black musical quartet, the Phillips Brothers, and other Kalamazoo-based Black musicians of that era, and shine a light on the role racism, exclusion and oppression played locally and nationally in the formation of today’s professional orchestras.

We will examine the outcomes of dominant narratives and structural inequities, which served to alienate Black performers, composers, conductors, and managers.

We’ll learn how today’s Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra board, staff, and musicians, alongside orchestras across the US, are working to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion through research and relevance.

Register here.

Photo Credit: The Harmonic Brass Band of Kalamazoo, c.1894. Pictured: (standing L-R) C.H. Hill, A. Wilson, L.D. Bates, F.E. Wilson, H.H. Wilson, O.H. Stafford, (middle L-R) J.E. Harris, A.T. Hedgbeth, Wm. Steward, G.F. Hill, (front L-R) C.O. Bailiff, J.T. Pool. (not pictured: S.F. Liggins, J. Boyd, G.L. Phillips, S.C. Phillips, J.F. Phillips). Courtesy, Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections.

Kalamazoo Public Library – Phillips Brothers