Mary Box

Prepping for a couple of concerts, editing a website, and doing grant research with my laptop in my lap (right? That’s what “laptop is for, right? Moms laps?) while this little one wants all the contact naps🥹🎄🕎 So grateful for this season.

CELEBRATING BLACK COMPOSERS - Last fall, in preparation for a recital program, introduced me to many African-American composers who captivated me. One standout piece, “Creation,” composed for voice and piano by , possessed a richness that I couldn’t fully express on the piano. A few weeks ago, Reggie called Dave and requested an orchestration of the piece. In an incredible feat, Dave orchestrated “Creation” for us while juggling rehearsals for the premiere of his opera “Steele Roots” . The Juneteenth Celebration concert we co-curated last week also included works by , , H. Leslie Adams, Florence Price, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor—composers I had never performed or conducted before, yet who have profoundly impacted my life. ✨HOW IT ALL STARTED - Last October, after diving into the world of Black composers, I applied for a grant from the to produce a concert featuring Reggie and some of his favorite Black composers. As it was my first attempt at applying for a grant, I didn’t expect to win. So, I was genuinely surprised when I received an email in January notifying me that I had been awarded the “Support for Artists and Creative Individuals” grant. However, the funds from the HAA grant would only cover a small 5-piece ensemble to accompany Reggie. Fortunately, after receiving the Music Performance Trust Fund grant from the (American Federation of Musicians), I was able to hire 24 of Houston’s finest instrumentalists to perform and do justice to these incredible pieces. I am immensely grateful to both grantors—HAA and HPMA—for believing in me and making this concert a reality! ✨THANK YOU!!!
I am deeply thankful to the many individuals who supported and showed patience with me throughout this journey! ✨

Please join me for a free concert celebrating Black composers next week on Juneteenth featuring Grammy and Emmy-winning opera star Reginald Smith, Jr. () and a 24-piece orchestra! This concert features the premiere of a newly orchestrated version of “Creation” by Dave Ragland (), “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” by Jasmine Barnes(), “Toast of the Town” by Quinn Mason (), and other favorites by H. Leslie Adams, Florence Price, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. This concert is funded by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance (), and through the Music Performance Trust Fund from the Houston Professional Musicians’ Association () and the American Federation of Musicians ().
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One of my absolute favorite recitals ever, with Ricardo José Rivera () with Tom Jaber () coaching us each week while in my Master’s at Rice in Vocal Coaching on April 19th, 2016💕