An all-Black classical music festival is returning to Sacramento. Here’s how to get tickets
An all-Black classical music festival is returning to Sacramento this month, building on a successful run of shows last year that drew packed audiences.
“Sacramento is our second home as far as I’m concerned because unlike any other city that we have performed in, the people in Sacramento came out,” said Lee Pringle, the director and founder of the Colour of Music Festival.
The festival is a classical music concert featuring an all-Black cast of conservatory trained musicians, composers and performers presenting piano, chamber, vocal performances, classical masterworks, and a literary presentation.
The performances are scheduled at several Sacramento venues from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18.
The Colour of Music Festival was established in 2013, originating from Charleston, South Carolina. The festival has been held in cities such as Houston, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Nashville and Richmond.
Last year’s performances, supported by the City of Sacramento and Visit Sacramento, marked the festival’s West Coast debut.
Visit Sacramento president and CEO, Mike Testa said in a press release that he is thrilled to continue the partnership with Colour of Music, as the event continues to bring musicians and entertainment to the city.
“Sacramento’s growing reputation as a music festival destination, coupled with the world-class artists a part of this event, makes for an exciting experience for our residents and visitors,” said Testa. “We are hopeful the Colour of Music will return for years to come.”
Pringle expressed his gratitude and admiration for the diversity he saw in Sacramento. He said he was impressed by the number of Black people that came to support the shows in 2021. It was one of the deciding factors for seeing the return of Colour of Music.
“The Black people in Sacramento came out, which really touched me,” said Pringle. “I was proud to see my people sitting in the audience in large numbers. Because just like me, I know that we are very diverse people in our taste.”
Pringle’s mission is to expose Black classical musicians to festivals. He also wants to inspire Black people to gain an appreciation for classical compositions, especially those created by Black composers.
The exposé features an ode to Edmund Thornton Jenkins, a pioneer for Black classical composers. The Colour of Music Festival Chamber Orchestra will play four of his compositions.
Other composers include: Saturday Night Live’s keyboardist, Tuffus Zimbabwe, the great nephew of Edmond Thornton Jenkins; Paris-based violinist Romuald Grimbert-Barré; violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport; opera star Victor Ryan Robertson; pianist Elizabeth G. Hill and more.
“These Black artists are credentialed but they don’t get the coveted spots,” said Pringle. “I’m here to give these Black conservatory trained musicians a platform to present the music that they get three degrees to perform.”
Tickets are available for purchase online here, or by visiting www.colourofmusic.org.
You can also call the preferred venue. Tickets can also be purchased at each venue an hour prior to the start of the performance.
For the City Church of Sacramento, City of West Sacramento Galleria, or the Guild Theater in Oak Park, call 888-512-9835. For the Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento, call 916-649-7900.