In Front of My Eyes: A Celebration of Music by and for Thomas Jefferson Anderson March 12, 2012

With a title taken from his work In Front of My Eyes: An Obama Celebration (with text by Robert Pinsky), this concert celebrates the musical inspirations that have led to Tufts Music Professor Emeritus T.J. Anderson’s prominence and influence as an African-American setting trends and asserting personality in classical music. Composers Stephen Jaffe (Duke University) and Tufts graduate and former Anderson student Paul Siskind (Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam) join the celebration by offering their new works in honor of Anderson, performed by the stellar Borromeo String Quartet, soprano Louise Toppin (performing a new Anderson work with poetry by Elye Alexander), the BeatCity Art Ensemble, and Tufts Music Professor and pianist John McDonald.
The concert will be preceded by two other events. From 4:30-6:30 p.m., composers Anderson, Jaffe, and Siskind will host a symposium with poet Alexander, discussing the interplay between music and words. The symposium will take place in Granoff Room 251 as part of the Tufts Composers Seminar. Immediately following the symposium, join the speakers at a dual-reception for the concert and Pierrot Project Exhibition in the Slater Concourse next door in the Aidekman Arts Center.