Before Strathmore and Washington Performing Arts’ presentation of Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up In My Bones Opera Suite in Concert, this panel will provide a glimpse into the world of Black Classical musicians. Panelists will share their own stories, and explore the impact of history and culture on their lives as opera singers, librettists, composers, historians, and social advocates. By sharing their own “Bones,” panelists will discuss whether inclusive spaces exist in the worlds of opera, jazz, and classical music.
This event is co-presented with Washington Performing Arts and the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.
This event is part of Strathmore’s Windows series of performances and accompanying programs. Learn more
Meet the Moderator
Patrick D. McCoy
Patrick D. McCoy distinguishes himself as a choral conductor, singer, and music journalist residing in the Washington, D.C. area. A native of Petersburg, VA, he earned He earned his BM in vocal performance from Virginia State University where he studied voice with the late Martin A. Strother, sang in the University Concert Choir under the direction of Johnnella L. Edmonds and Opera Workshop with Lisa Edwards-Burrs. In 2005, he earned his MA in Church music from Shenandoah University where he studied with Metropolitan Opera tenor Michael O. Forest and organ/sacred music with Dr. Steven Cooksey. Juxtaposing a busy schedule between writing and public appearances, he has covered the arts for several outlets, including The Washington Post, Prince George’s Suite Magazine, The Afro American Newspaper, CBS Washington, Early Music America, Examiner.com, and ArtSong Update, among others.
Formerly the performing arts columnist for The Washington Life Magazine, he currently serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Beltsville, MD. Notable appearances include his presentation at the 2012 African American Artsong Alliance Conference at the University of California at Irvine. He also has acted as a moderator on multiple panels including the Mendelssohn Elijah Panel at The Kennedy Center, the Symposium Series at the 2014 Colour of Music Festival, and the Blacks in Classical Music Panel hosted by the Coalition of African Americans in the Performing Arts. He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, The Dean’s Circle: Shenandoah Conservatory Advisory Board, Board Member of the Haiti Micah Project, the Sigma Zeta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.