Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Lundy.
Hi Anne, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Houston enjoying playing the violin, and I was usually the only Black kid in groups like the Houston Youth Symphony, All-City Youth Orchestra, and others. I was fortunate in that a few mostly Black schools had school orchestras until the students reached the high school level. But Yates High School, which both my older sister and brother were graduates of, didn’t have a student orchestra; unfortunately, none of Houston’s Black high schools had orchestras. So, I went to Robert E. Lee High School because it did have a good orchestra and existed before Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts. Even though I was used to playing in mostly white orchestras, it was still a little weird attending a school with confederate flags all around me. I think that experience planted a seed that made me want to bring the orchestra experience to the Black community.
However, growing up in the Black community did give me a chance to begin conducting at an early age when I conducted a kids group very young. After that, I used every opportunity to conduct orchestras regardless of the racial makeup of the ensemble. As an undergraduate at University of Texas at Austin, I realized that I knew nothing about classical music by Black composers, so I started reading books in the music library. It was the 70s and that gave me a way to learn about civil rights within the world of classical music. My Master in Music was in orchestra conducting. I was so happy to be improving my skills as an orchestra conductor, and I used those skills to attend conducting workshops, mostly in the summer in competitive programs such as the Aspen Music Festival, Herbert Blomsted’s Institute Symphony Orchestra, and others.
While in graduate school at University of Houston, I met a Black cellist and that allowed me to form my first Black music ensemble, the “William Grant Still String Quartet.” I had switched from playing to violin to viola and reached 2 Black violinists to perform a first chamber music program by Black composers at University of Houston. Next, I began calling other Black instrumentalists in the Houston area and was able to expand our quartet to the “Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra (SJCO).” The SJCO is a 30–40-member community mostly Black chamber orchestra which performs principally music by Black composers. It performs in the greater Houston area and has also done some touring. The SJCO is sponsored by our tax-exempt organization; the Community Music Center of Houston (CMCH) whose mission is to preserve and promote Black Music Traditions.
One of the musicians I contacted was a bass player named Derrick Lewis. We would later fall in love, marry, and be blessed with our son Gregory Lewis who is also a classical and jazz/gospel musician. And though Derrick has passed away, his spirit and love will always be an inspiration to everyone who knew him.
I approached the Houston Symphony Orchestra (HSO) in the 1980s and became the first Black woman to conduct the HSO in the summers of 1989 and 1990 when our combined orchestras performed at Miller Outdoor Theater. At that time the HSO had no Black regular members. HSO presently has one Black member, Flutist Judy Dines who has been a great supporter of CMCH. Ms. Dines will perform a benefit concert for us on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church 3116 Blodgett St. The funds raised will assist CMCH begin repairs on our permanent facility at 3020 Holman St. Renovating our permanent home will gratefully assist us from having to constantly re-locate when rental spaces change owners.
We’ve performed a number of interesting concerts, including when we accompanied Beyonce singing the National Anthem for Super Bowl XXV in Houston. I’m also the previous orchestra director at Texas Southern University (TSU). That inspired me to pursue my Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from University of Houston’s Moores School of Music by interviewing other orchestra conductors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Learning about their triumphs and challenges was inspiring.
I’m currently the Music Director of the Community Music Center of Houston (CMCH) which allows me to teach students about the joys of performing violin and viola. They range from 3-year-olds to adults. I hope to inspire these students to follow their passions in the world of music and continue sharing their talents with everyone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a road full of challenges and rewards. I never saw another Black woman conduct orchestras until just a few years ago. At times, I felt like an oddball, but I was surrounded by a supportive family and musical friends who encouraged me when times were tough. Now every time I see Black kids waving their hands like me, I encourage them to keep it up. I know that this specialized field isn’t for everyone, but our kids shouldn’t be discouraged from trying everything that inspires their curiosity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am excited about CMCH’s upcoming musical events in December. Our upcoming holiday events are a unique blend of creativity and celebration. Please help us spread the word. I will just mention three of them.
I want to first mention our fundraising event to help us raise money to renovate our building at 3020 Holman, Houston, TX 77004 – Special Benefit Concert with Houston Symphony member, flutist Judy Dines: Join us for a remarkable performance by Judy Dines, a 31-year veteran of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and its sole Black member, supporting our mission of making music accessible to all.
CMCH Building Winter Fundraiser – An Afternoon with Judy Dines, Date: Saturday Afternoon December 16, 2023, Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Location: Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 3115 Blodgett St, Houston, TX 77004. Price: event itself is free to the public, but we do hope that people will donate to our building development fund.
Other upcoming events:
“Color of Sound – Art Exhibition and Music Extravanga”: An inspiring collaboration between musicians and visual artists in an immersive audiovisual experience.
Date: Saturday evening, December 9, 2023, Time: 6:00 PM-9:30 PM, Place: Community Collective for Houston, formerly The Power Center (South Wing Ballroom, Price: please call CMCH 713-523-9710 for ticket prices.
“Excerpts from L’Amant Anonyme (The Anonymous Lover)”: Rediscover the musical genius of 18th-century French Black composer Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, through selections from his only surviving and groundbreaking opera, performed by The H-Town Orchestra & Opera Co. Date: Thursday afternoon, December 28, 2023. Time: 3:00 PM
Location: SHAPE Community Center, 3903 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77004. Price: Free to the public (Love offering will be requested).
Some of these events are generously funded in part by either the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the Texas Commission on the Arts, Houston Arts Alliance, or the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.”
For more info visit cmchouston.org or call our business landline 713-523-9710.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
Again, my earlier info probably answers that question. But as a Black woman in a field dominated by European white men, I’ve had more than a few challenges. I generally don’t shy away from challenges if I think things aren’t fair. Naturally, I’ve lost more than a few battles, but I’ve also won some, so I just keep on trying.
Contact Info:
- Website: cmchouston.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CMCHLive1?mibextid=ZbWLwl
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@communitymusiccenterofhou6982?si=J8sRZlayf8Od7F6M
