Anne Lundy facts for kids

Georgianne Lundy (born October 18, 1954) is an amazing American conductor and music teacher. She started two special music groups: the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra and the William Grant Still String Quartet. These groups play music written by Black composers. She also made history as the first African-American woman to lead the Houston Symphony orchestra!

Learning and Leading Music

Georgianne Lundy was born in Houston, Texas. She loved music and studied violin at The University of Texas at Austin. In 1977, she earned her first degree in music education. Her violin teacher, Stephen Clapp, later became a dean at the famous Juilliard School of Music.

Lundy continued her studies at the University of Houston. In 1979, she earned her master's degree in orchestral conducting. This means she learned how to lead a whole orchestra! She also taught music in Houston schools for four years.

Later, in 2015, she earned her highest degree, a Doctor of Musical Arts, from the University of Houston's Moores School of Music.

Starting Music Groups

While studying at the University of Houston, Georgianne Lundy created the William Grant Still String Quartet. This was a special group of African-American musicians who played chamber music. Chamber music is played by a small group of instruments, like violins and cellos. Their focus was on music written by Black composers.

In 1983, she started another group called the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra (SJCO). This orchestra was made up mostly of Black musicians from the community. The SJCO has performed in many places around Houston, especially in churches and community centers. They have also toured other cities in Texas. Both the SJCO and the William Grant Still String Quartet are part of the Community Music Center of Houston, where Lundy is also the Music Director.

In the 1990s, Lundy helped restart the student orchestra at Texas Southern University. This was important because it brought back a student orchestra to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) after many years.

Special Performances

• The Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra played with pop superstar Beyonce! They performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXXVIII.
• In 1989 and 1990, the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra, led by Lundy, performed with the Houston Symphony. These concerts were held at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. This was a very special moment because Lundy became the first Black woman to conduct the Houston Symphony. At that time, the Houston Symphony did not have any Black members. So, seeing the two groups of musicians play together was a big deal!