About State of the Arts

Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 8 p.m.:

Composer George Walker, Poetry Out Loud, and more
State of the Arts profiles George Walker, long-time Montclair resident and the first black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize in Music. This year, as Walker celebrates his 90th birthday, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra premiered his latest work, Sinfonia No. 4 “Strands.”  A celebrated concert pianist as well, Walker broke racial barriers within the conservative world of classical music very early on. Conductors Jed Gaylon and Jacques Lacombe reflect on Walker’s extraordinary career.

Also, get a front-row seat to New Jersey’s Poetry Out Loud state finals at the College of New Jersey’s Kendall Main Stage Theatre.  A wildly popular poetry recitation competition, the Poetry Out Loud program seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers and help high school students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.  The national finals will be held in Washington, DC May 13-15.

Plus “The 39 Steps,” now on stage at the George Street Playhouse, and history as told by artists in “American Perspectives” at the New Jersey State Museum.

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State of the Arts stories and specials are now online for viewing! Check back often to see what’s been added.

State of the Arts goes on location with creative personalities and productions. It is recognized as one of the premier arts and culture programs on public television, with 29 Mid-Atlantic and New York Emmys to its credit.  An in-depth documentary feature about an important artist or event anchors each half-hour episode.  Short studio visits introduce viewers to the extraordinary range of New Jersey artists, musicians and poets at work today.  The Venues segment takes viewers to performance spaces across the state including jazz clubs, opera houses, coffee houses and more. To comment or make story suggestions, contact the producers at info@pckmedia.com.

George Walker, composer (photo by Frank Schramm)

State of the Arts debuted on NJN Public Television in 1981, and aired as a co-production of NJN and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts until 2011. Now airing as a cornerstone program of NJTV Public Media NJ, the new episodes are co-produced by the Arts Council and The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Additional funding is provided by The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.