Tim Page provides a short biography of Kermit Moore.

Moore says his work as a performer, composer and conductor are both separate and the same. The focus of the moment is all-consuming. You begin somewhere. -- he began as a cellist. It sets you up. He says he always liked conducting. Started with choirs. First serious composition at 12 for the cello.

Moore comments on the lack of curiosity "on the part of the narrow-minded" who are not necessarily bigots but that they made up their minds years ago - regarding African-American composers. He says it is probably a form of racism on the part of concert programmers. He notes, however, Lukas Foss along with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and a committee of black composers (including Moore) that are working to put on the works of black composers.

Moore has written one work of jazz but has never felt pressured to write a jazz composition.

Moore introduces his Music for Cello and Piano performed by Moore on cello and Raymond Jackson on piano.

His advice to young composers? - Moore says to trust your instincts and don't immediately accept what you've written, question it and probe it and have as much discipline as possible.

WNYC archives id: 8901