“When I took my basic conducting class in college, I never thought about being a conductor actively,” violinist Kellen Gray says. “My teacher asked if anyone had any conducting aspirations. In that moment I thought, ‘Maybe I do,’ and he said, ‘We’ll see if we can talk you out of that.’”
Gray now finds himself leading ensembles like the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He’s the orchestra’s first associate artist. That means he has the freedom to curate and conduct programs that deal with African-diasporic composers, their place in music history and their relation to the classical canon.
Growing up, his love of music was handed down from his parents, and became a part of everyday life. The most impactful of all those musical styles was the folk music of his Southeastern roots. Gray’s knowledge of Lowcountry music and Gullah culture led to the Aurora Project, an important music series he created when he was associate conductor of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in 2022. The project has now become integrated into the orchestra’s overall mission.
In his position with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Gray’s mission includes helping musicians and audiences understand the aural history of this music. He said that getting ready for concerts and recordings of Black composers often included doing a little extra to help the musicians of the ensemble fully understand the notes on the page.
Gray emphasizes that for real change to happen, there needs to be more people of color on the stage, in the back offices, on the boards and in the audience.
Credits
Host: Vernon Neal
Producer: Dan Nass
Writers: Andrea Blain and Scott Blankenship
Executive Producer: Julie Amacher
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
Your Donation
About Rhapsody in Black
Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.
Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | TuneIn | RSS Feed