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Black Nativity

Description: Coverage of the annual performance of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes. The performance takes place in the Opera House in Boston. Interview with Music Director John Ross, who talks about the play. He says that the story of the nativity is told in a "black context," using traditional music. Excerpts from the performance.
1:00:08: Visual: Shots of schoolchildren entering an auditorium. V: Footage from the Black Nativity performed at the Opera House in Boston. V: Footage of John A. Ross (Music Director) saying that Langston Hughes used the Bible as a source for Black Nativity; that the story is told in a "black context." Ross says that the play relies on traditional gospel music. V: Footage from the performance of Black Nativity. V: Footage of a female African American student saying that some of her friends and former teachers were in the performance. Footage of a female African American student saying that the play shows us "how God began his life." Footage of a female white students saying that the acting is good; that the play is "pretty." Footage of a group of African American students in the lobby. One student says that he likes the music. Another student says that she likes everything. V: Footage from the performance of Black Nativity.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/08/1989

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.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/21/1989

Paul Spencer Adkins

Description: Marcus Jones reports that opera singer Paul Spencer Adkins will be performing the lead male role in the Boston Lyric Opera Company's production of Tosca. Adkins is one of the few African American tenors performing in operas. Interview with Adkins, who says that there have been few African American romantic leads in opera; he says that he wants more African Americans to enter classical music. Adkins talks about his admiration for classical singer Roland Hayes, who lived in Brookline. Jones notes that Adkins is working on a documentary about Hayes. Jones' report includes footage of Adkins rehearsing for Tosca and footage of Roland Hayes.
1:00:09: Visual: Footage of Paul Spencer Adkins (opera singer) exiting his dressing room before a performance. Marcus Jones reports that Adkins is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; that Adkins is 38 years old; that Adkins has two children. Jones reports that Adkins is one of only a few African American tenors performing in an art form dominated by whites. V: Shots of the backstage area. Shots of a make-up artist applying make-up to Adkins. Shots of sheet music and wigs lying on top of a chest. Footage of Adkins saying that only a few African American men have achieved international recognition in the opera world. Adkins says that African American men have succeeded as baritones or basses; that there have been few successful African American romantic leads or tenors. Footage of Adkins performing the lead male role in Tosca at the Majestic Theatre. Jones reports that Adkins will perform in the Boston Lyric Opera Company's production of Tosca. Jones notes that Adkins is happy to perform in Boston; that Adkins is an admirer of Roland Hayes (classical singer), who lived in Brookline. V: Black and white footage of Hayes performing. Shots of a black and white photos of Hayes. Audio of Hayes performing a song. Footage of Adkins saying that Hayes was the first African American to have an international career as a classical singer. Adkins notes that Hayes was a tenor; that Hayes was never allowed to perform in an opera because of his race. Shot of a black and white photo of Hayes. Jones reports that Hayes was a trailblazer for African American men as classical singers. Jones notes that Adkins is working on a documentary about the life and time of Hayes; that the documentary is scheduled to air on PBS in February of 1990. V: Shot of Adkins being interviewed by Jones. Footage of Adkins saying that many talented African Americans do not enter classical music. Adkins says that he wants to show people that it is possible for an African American man to be a successful opera singer. Footage of Adkins performing in Tosca. Jones reports that Adkins has been in opera for eleven years; that Adkins is still considered young. V: Footage of Adkins saying that he has been the first African American tenor to perform on many opera stages across the US. Adkins says that he believes that he is making a difference; that he is proud to be African American. Adkins says that music can transcend race. Footage of Adkins performing in Tosca.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/15/1989

Shirley Caesar

Description: Shirley Caesar is a gospel singer and pastor, also active in community and political affairs in Durham, NC. She visits Harvard to sing with a choir in Memorial Church. Fields notes that Caesar is an evangelist and a Grammy award-winning singer. Fields adds that Caesar has recently entered local politics in Durham, North Carolina. Fields interviews Caesar, who talks about her music and her outreach ministry. She also discusses her recent entry into politics. Caesar says that she sees herself as a humanitarian. Fields' report includes footage of Caesar performing with a choir in front of an audience at Memorial Church.
1:00:14: Visual: Footage of Shirley Caesar (gospel singer and evangelist) performing at Memorial Church at Harvard University on October 5, 1989. A gospel choir stands behind her. Shots of members of the audience listening to Caesar. Carmen Fields reports that Caesar has won five grammy awards; that Caesar has three gold albums. Fields reports that Caesar also runs a church and an outreach mission; that Caesar has recently been elected to the City Council of Durham, North Carolina. V: Footage of Caesar being interviewed by Fields. Caesar says that she is a "down-to-earth singer"; that she is a "concerned citizen." Caesar says that she sees herself as a humanitarian. Caesar talks about her outreach ministry. Caesar says that she puts 50% of her earnings back into the community. Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church; of audience members listening. Footage of Caesar saying that everyone has suffered at one time or another; that she tries to send a message of love through her music. Fields notes that Caesar offers unconditional encouragement to all through her music. V: Footage of Caesar talking about Jim Baker (evangelist). Caesar says that Baker should be forced to pay back the money he owes; that Baker should not be sent to jail. Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church. She speculates as to whether anyone has ever danced in the aisles of Memorial Church. The crowd applauds. Caesar says that she will "christen the aisles." Shots of audience members seated in pews and on the floor. Fields reports that Caesar will soon turn fifty years old. V: Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church. The audience members stand and clap their hands. Footage of Caesar being interviewed by Fields. Caesar says that she is "a traditional singer with a contemporary flavor." Caesar talks about her roots in music. Footage of Caesar saying that she would like to learn more about the workings of city government; that she may run for mayor someday. Footage of Caesar performing at Memorial Church. The audience is on its feet.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/06/1989

Sullivan Stadium concerts

Description: Marcus Jones reports that Michael Jackson has never played a concert at Sullivan Stadium. Jones notes that the Foxboro Board of Selectmen denied a request by Jackson to play two concerts at Sullivan Stadium in 1984. Jones reports that the permit was denied because of security and traffic concerns. Jones adds that former State Senator Royal Bolling, Sr. and others believe that the permit was denied on racial grounds. Jones' reports includes footage from a meeting of the Foxboro Board of Selectmen and footage of Bolling addressing a legislative hearing. Jones reports that Andrew Gala, the Foxboro town administrator and Michael Coppola, a Foxboro Selectman, deny that the permit was denied on racial grounds. Jones notes that Gala says that the Jackson tour denied the terms offered to them by Sullivan Stadium. Jones reports that there are bad feelings between the town of Foxboro and Chuck Sullivan, the organizer of Jackson's tour. Jones reports that big concerts bring in money to Foxboro. He notes that Jackson's most recent tour did not stop in Massachusetts. Jones' report is accompanied by concert footage of Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones at Sullivan Stadium, and other musical acts. Following the edited story is additional silent b-roll of Sullivan Stadium. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Jan von Mehren reports that the city of Boston and the NAACP signed a $3 million settlement to end litigation about the city's formerly discriminatory public housing policy
1:00:15: Visual: Footage from WNEV of a Rolling Stones' concert at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Rolling Stones play, "Start Me Up." Marcus Jones reports that approximately 150,000 people went to see the Rolling Stones (rock band) play three concerts at Sullivan Stadium. Jones reports that many popular rock performers have played at Sullivan Stadium in the past few years. V: Shots of Madonna in concert at Sullivan Stadium; of a keyboard player on stage; of a female fan in the audience; of Roger Daltry of the Who singing on stage at Sullivan Stadium. Jones reports that Michael Jackson (pop singer) has not played a concert at Sullivan Stadium. V: Footage of Jackson in concert. Footage of a meeting of Foxboro Selectman in June of 1984. The selectmen vote. A selectman declares that the license is denied. The audience applauds. Jones stands in the parking lot of Sullivan Stadium. A sign for the stadium is visible behind him. Jones reports that Foxboro Selectman denied a request by Jackson and his brothers in June of 1984; that Jackson had requested to play two concerts at Sullivan Stadium. Jones notes that the Selectmen denied the request because of security and traffic concerns. Jones notes that the Rolling Stones just played three sold-out shows at the stadium; that the Rolling Stones probably attracted more people than the Jacksons would have. Jones adds that security was heavy at the stadium; that traffic was also heavy. Jones reports that Foxboro is now welcoming big rock acts to the stadium. Jones reports that Royal Bolling, Sr. (former state senator) called a press conference in the summer of 1984 in order to pressure the Foxboro Selectmen to change their minds about Jackson. Jones notes that Bolling and others believe that the Foxboro Selectmen denied the permit on racial grounds. V: Shot of Bolling speaking at a congressional hearing at the Massachusetts State House. Shot of Bolling speaking during an interview. Footage of the Jacksons in concert. Jones reports that the Jacksons' 1984 tour was handled by Chuck Sullivan (member of the family for which Sullivan Stadium was named). V: Shot of a black and white drawing of Sullivan. Shots of the exterior of Sullivan Stadium. Jones reports that Andrew Gala (Foxboro town administrator) and Michael Coppola (Foxboro Selectman) spoke to him over the telephone. Jones reports that Gala says that the permit was denied because of bad feelings between Sullivan and the town of Foxboro. Jones notes that Gala denies that the permit was denied on racial grounds. Jones reports that Gala says that the Selectmen were willing to license three Jackson shows on non-consecutive nights. Jones reports that Gala says that Sullivan refused those terms. V: Footage from a Pepsi commercial of the Jacksons in concert. Shots of the Foxboro Selectmen's meeting from June of 1984; of a member of the audience dressed up like Michael Jackson. Jones reports that the three Rolling Stones shows were on non-consecutive nights. V: Footage from WNEV of the Rolling Stones in concert. Jones reports that Coppola says that big concerts are good for Foxboro businesses. Jones notes that the three Rolling Stones shows contributed over $100,000 to the town treasury. V: Shots of the interior of Sullivan Stadium. Trucks are parked in the interior as a stage is being put up or taken down. Footage of Michael Jackson in concert. Jones reports that Michael Jackson's most recent tour did not stop in Massachusetts. Jones notes that Gala says that Jackson would be welcomed at Foxboro stadium today. Jones adds Gala says that Foxboro "could use the revenue." V: Shots of the exterior of Sullivan Stadium. Gala's quote appears written on-screen in text. Footage of Jackson in concert.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/04/1989