BIPOC Platforming

Title: BIPOC Platforming
Description: Beyond expanding the classical music repertoire that was available for performance and study, Patterson was also invested in creating opportunities and spaces for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists and scholars at the University of Michigan. He platformed BIPOC artists and scholars primarily through the King/Chavez/Parks (KCP) Visiting Professorship program and through his efforts to host the 1985 Black American Music Symposium, a conference that brought together Black scholars, composers, and artists to network and discuss Black classical music. Arguably, his work with students also constituted BIPOC platforming—see the Supporting Students collection for further materials.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What difficulties arose for Patterson as he worked to create more opportunities and events for BIPOC artists and scholars? Would the same difficulties be faced today?

What are the benefits to addressing racial justice and equity by focusing on platform creation (as opposed to focusing primarily on repertoire expansion, direct reparations, or other such efforts)?

RELATED COLLECTIONS:; Expanding the Repertoire; Supporting Students

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Memorandum to Marilyn Breiter from Willis Patterson
Notification of Adolphus Hailstork's schedule as a KCP visiting professor September 26–October 2, 1987, for publicity purposes. The schedule includes coaching, class visits, meetings with faculty and student groups, and rehearsals for October 2, 1987 concert.
Memorandum to Deans and Directors from Niara Sudarkasa
Memorandum from the provost's office by way of Niara Sudarkasa, associate vice president for academic affairs, about the newly appropriated funds for Martin Luther King, Jr.-Rosa Parks educations programs. Visiting professorships, graduate fellowships, and a College Day program are described, and candidate nominations for the visiting professorships are solicited.
Memorandum to Deans and Directors from Robert B. Holmes
Memorandum from the provost's office about the new visiting professorships program, here called the Martin Luther King, Jr.-Rosa Parks Visiting Professorships Program, supported by the King-Parks Educational Fund. A February 16, 1987 University Record article about the program is attached to the memorandum. Nominations are solicited by Holmes and the provost's office.
Expense Report for King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Leon Bates
The expense report for King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Leon Bates, who visited campus March 28–April 1, 1988. The expenses total $8,244.00, and $6,800 of this is Bates' honorarium.
Con Brio: A Newsletter of the National Black Music Caucus, Vol. 1, No. 1
A newsletter published by the National Black Music Caucus, overseen by Willis Patterson as the Executive Secretary.
The Fisk University Jubilee Singers Concert Program
Program for a Fisk University Jubilee Singers concert at the at the Forty-Sixth Annual Arts Festival, Fisk University (April 20–27, 1975). Willis Patterson is featured as a guest artist alongside Inez Matthews (soprano). Oral Moses appears in the program as the bass soloist for "Daniel, Servant of the Lord" by Undine Moore.
Letter to Charles R. Eilber from Willis Patterson
A letter to the Director of the Interlochen Arts Academy advocating for two the inclusion of Natalie Hinderas (concert pianist and lecturer on Black composers) and the Virginia State College Symphony Band (an HBCU) in Interlochen's programming.
Letter to Ralph Gibson from Willis Patterson
A letter advocating the for the admission of Jonny Williams to the University of Michigan School of Music, and inquiring about what initiatives exist to "induce Negroes to come to the U of M who might not under normal financial considerations."
Letter to John McCollum from Willis Patterson
A letter advocating for two students' applications to the University of Michigan School of Music—Shelia Jackson and Johnnie Williams—sent before Patterson officially began as a professor. Patterson highlights that Williams is a Black baritone.
Black American Composers Concert Program
Program for a free concert of Black American Composers in celebration of Black History Week, featuring compositions by John Work, Scott Joplin, George Walker, and others performed by students of the University of Michigan School of Music. The concert was held on February 26, 1978 at 4pm in the Rackham Assembly Hall. The program is dedicated to Dr. Eva Jessye and Professor Willis Patterson.
Letter to Henry Johnson, Richard English, and William Cash from Willis Patterson
Request for funds from the university administration in support of the Black Art Song Series, detailing that and related research projects such as Patterson's anthology.
Letter to Marian Anderson from Willis Patterson
Invitation to be honored at the University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology's festival of aging and the art of living. The letter also discusses the need for a Black art song anthology, which Patterson was working on.
Letter to Willis Patterson from Charlotte Heth, August 11, 1988
A letter inquiring about details of Charlotte Heth's upcoming visit to campus through the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program, with a short biography and Heth's abbreviated CV enclosed.
All African American Orchestra Concert at Symposium 2000
The poster and program for the All African American Orchestra Concert at Symposium 2000, The Fine and Performing Arts of African Americans: Enhancing Education (Dr. Willis C. Patterson, Dir.). The symposium was held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI from March 2–8, 2000, but the concert was held at Detroit Orchestra Hall on March 6, 2000. The orchestra was conducted by Michael Morgan.
Letter to Marilyn Gordon from Angela Jones, April 7, 1988
This letter to Marilyn Gordon, Coordinator of Minority Affairs and the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), and the rest of the SROP selection committee outlines Jones's research objectives for the summer of 1988 if selected for SROP, with Willis Patterson as her research mentor.
Letter to Black Businesses from Willis Patterson
Form letter sent to top 100 Black businesses soliciting financial contributions in support of the Black American Music Symposium. Summarizes the symposium's goals, potential impact, and budget.
Memorandum to Michigan Daily from Willis Patterson regarding Dr. Charlotte Heth, Native American - Visiting KCP Professor in Music
Request to print notice of Charlotte Heth's visit through the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program and the schedule of events. Refers to Heth as "one of a very few (if not the only) Native Americans who has been invited to our campus under the auspices of this program."