Conductor Kay George Roberts

Item Information

Title:
Conductor Kay George Roberts
Description:
Marcus Jones interviews conductor Kay George Roberts about her career as one of the few African American female orchestral conductors. Roberts answers the question "what is it like to be a black woman conductor?" Roberts talks about race and gender in classical music. Jones reviews Roberts's career. Roberts is the first woman to receive a PhD in orchestra conducting from Yale University. Jones' report includes footage of Roberts conducting an orchestra. The tape also includes additional footage of the interview with Roberts and additional footage of Roberts conducting the orchestra. 1:00:03: Visual: Footage of Kay George Roberts (conductor) walking onto a stage to conduct. The audience applauds. Footage of Roberts being interviewed by Marcus Jones. Roberts says that women have not traditionally been the conductors of orchestras. Jones asks if women conductors are different from men conductors. Roberts jokes that women are probably better conductors than men. Footage of Roberts conducting an orchestra. Jones reports that Roberts is one of only a few African American female orchestral conductors. V: Footage of Robers being interviewed by Jones. Jones asks if Roberts ever takes offense when people point to her race instead of her skill. Roberts says that she is not offended by the acknowledgement of her race and gender. Roberts says that black Americans are always referred to as "black Americans"; that black Americans are rarely referred to as "Americans." Jones reports that Roberts is the first woman to receive a PhD in orchestra conducting from Yale University; that she is the second African American to do so. Jones notes that Roberts has been a professor and orchestra conductor since 1978 at the University of Lowell. V: Footage of Roberts conducting an orchestra. Footage of Roberts saying that she will always teach; that she enjoys the excitement and energy of young students and college-age students. Footage of Roberts conducting. Jones reports that Roberts and several female composers will perform a marathon of contemporary classical works at the First Parish Church in Watertown. Jones notes that Roberts hopes the annual event will broaden appreciation for contemporary classical works. V: Footage of Roberts saying that she would love to have the opportunity to conduct a major orchestra. Footage of Roberts conducting an orchestra.
Date:
April 21, 1989
Format:
Film/Video
Genre:
News
Location:
WGBH
Collection (local):
Ten O'Clock News
Subjects:
Music
African American women
Universities and colleges
Places:
Massachusetts > Middlesex (county) > Lowell
Lowell (Mass.)
Link to Item:
http://bostonlocaltv.org/catalog/V_OX4PTOSRXAA3YM6
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Ten O'Clock News