Black Horn - (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage) by Robert Lee Watt (Paperback)

About the Book

Today, the number of African Americans who hold chairs in major American symphony orchestras are few and far between, and Watt is the first in many years to write about this uniquely exhilarating-and at times painful-experience.

Book Synopsis

Today, the number of African Americans who hold chairs in major American symphony orchestras are few and far between, and Watt is the first in many years to write about this uniquely exhilarating--and at times painful--experience.

Review Quotes

Black Horn takes on the life of Watt with raw honesty, humor, and diversity. Watt describes every situation with precise detail. Nothing is left to the imagination. Through intimate encounters, the feeling of being disrespected by peers, and a lack of support throughout his early years as a musician, Watt evokes the emotions behind what it's like for him to be a successful African-American classical musician.

Certainly there is wisdom to be imparted by a musician of Watt's experience. One has to admire his perseverance and tenacity in remaining with what was obviously a contentious section for so many years.

Robert Lee Watt didn't allow racial stereotypes and the low expectations of others to hold him back. From the beginning, the classical musician used that negativity as his fuel to excel... The Black Horn is candid and often humorous. Watt's stories of transcending racial and class discrimination are especially edifying.

About the Author

Robert Lee Watt studied French horn at the New England Conservatory of Music with Harry Shapiro of the Boston Symphony. In 1970, he was hired by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as assistant first French horn under maestro Zubin Mehta.