"You have to have that determination. I think that so many of us have cheated ourselves out of opportunities. People talk themselves out of good ideas most of the time."

- Kenneth Goodman, concert organist

Welcome!

Welcome to my website. My combined interests of music, history, and the English language have taken me far afield of my original career aspiration of orchestral cellist – an unlikely yet fascinating journey I would not trade for anything.


 sbadaweb - interview with Author Elaine B. Mack Click here for website. Note: This link will take you to another website

I have an abiding interest in history, and everywhere I have lived and traveled I have always studied the history of those people and places. Interestingly, living abroad has made me appreciate my own roots and culture all the more. As a Black American, I believe that we are essentially a strong people, with our own strength and sense of humor, and that our history and culture is unique and multifaceted. This, combined with my love of music, drives and compels me to seek out our untold history in classical music.

It is imperative that Black Americans explore, study, and celebrate our own history, as so much of our past remains to be discovered. I invite you to join me in my quest, and share with other people the best of what we are, and have contributed to the world.

Black Classical Musicians in Philadelphia

The subjects of this book mainly came from families of modest means. All of them found music to be a thing of power and beauty, and pursued it throughout their life times. These people are extraordinary only in that they persevered in their art in spite of economic cycles, wars, racism, budget cuts, and other external factors. Most of them came from families who encouraged them, and found teachers and mentors, White and Black, who helped them tremendously along the way. They ranged in age from 19 to 96 at time of interview. Many were born and raised in Philadelphia, but some are transplants from other locales. A few are known internationally, some are strictly local. They are instrumentalists, conductors, pianists, singers, educators, and philanthropists. Some who began with classical training took their talents to the worlds of jazz and gospel.