Alumnus Bill Banfield (STH’88) publishes Opinion Piece in The Boston Globe
The following is an excerpt from The Boston Globe article “Celebrating change – and calling for more – in classical music” by BUSTH alumnus Bill Banfield (STH‘88), published on March 15, 2023. Click here to read the full article. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Boston University School of Theology, its employees, faculty, or students.
While there has been some momentum in the classical music world, it’s still difficult to detect a real shift in the landscape. But small victories should also be acknowledged. As I reflect back on Simon with his “Four Black American Dances,” it seemed, that night, I could hear above me Phillis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, Edmonia Lewis, Harry Carney, and Elma Lewis — who all had a presence in Boston — dancing a ring-shout hallelujah dance in heaven for Simon: “Do it, little brother!”