Cal Lutheran’s Fifty and Better program is commemorating Black History Month by hosting two lectures.
On Saturday, February 6th, Daniel Newman-Lessler will survey the lives and music of Black composers from all over the world, and on Saturday, February 13th, Eleanor Schrader will explore the career of Paul Williams, “Architect to the Stars.” These lectures are $8 each and are open to everyone.
Registration is now open, and closes at 5pm the day before each lecture. Register here.
Saturday, February 6, 11am-1pm (MST), 10am-12pm (PST) - This lecture will be recorded
Online, Zoom platform - This lecture is $8
Lecture Description:
In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, musical ensembles and academic institutions are at long last beginning to "do the work" of studying and performing the music of Black composers, past and present, on an equal platform to that of the Western classical tradition (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, etc.). This lecture will partake in a brief survey of the lives and music of Black composers from around the world from the 18th century to new music being written by today's living composers. Disclaimer: this course will be taught through the lens of a white man who has committed to fighting against systemic racism within the musical community.
Bio:
Daniel serves as the Program Administrator and Choral Director of Music Academy of the West’s Sing! program and conductor for Kadima Conservatory’s Senior Philharmonic. He was Chorus Master for Santa Barbara Symphony, Interim Director of Choral Activities at University of California Santa Barbara, assistant conductor for Grand Opera San Luis Obispo, a regular guest conductor of Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, and conductor for Rubicon Theatre’s production of West Side Story. Daniel also held assistant conducting positions with Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale, Diamond Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Cal State Channel Islands University Choir. Daniel studied under Gerard Schwarz at Eastern Music Festival as a Conducting Scholar and has conducted numerous premiers of works by microtonalist composers at Untwelve Summer Festival.
As a pianist, Daniel teaches at Pepperdine University and has won concerto competitions sponsored by Southwestern Youth Music Festival, Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), and Thousand Oaks Philharmonic. He is a founding member of the Singer Chamber Players and has performed as a panelist for MTAC.
As a singer, Daniel has performed with Andrea Bocelli, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, and David Foster at Nokia Theatre, Capitol Records, and Paramount Pictures. He has sung as a soloist with Chanel Islands Chamber Orchestra, Untwelve Players, and also serves as the High Holiday Cantor at Temple Ner Ami.
Daniel’s compositions have been performed by violinist Clara Kim, USC Thornton University Chorus, UCSB Chamber Choir, Torrance Civic Chorale, Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale, Temple Ner Ami Choir, and Untwelve Players. Upcoming premiers include pieces written for Brightwork Ensemble, 48 Saint Stephen, Collide-O-Scope Ensemble, Eckerd Concert Choir, and microtonal guitarist, Elynor Freyss. Daniel’s research on Dave Brubeck’s Gates of Justice received grant funding from University of the Pacific, and he serves as a lecturer for Cal State University Channel Island’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Daniel graduated cum laude from University of Southern California with an MM in Sacred Music and BM in Piano Performance. He is currently studying at Cal Arts as a Lilian Disney Scholar in the MFA Performer-Composer program.