Reverend Ray Mackey is the new chair of the Houston Symphony African American Leadership Council, a role he embraces with excitement and a sense of purpose.
For Mackey, this position is about more than classical music; it’s about connecting Houston, one of the nation’s most diverse cities, with the rich history and cultural significance of an institution that has shaped the city for over a century.
History with Houston Symphony
“The impact and importance of the Houston Symphony is both classical and historical,” Mackey said. “It’s been providing our city with classical music for more than 100 years.”
His own introduction to the symphony came as a child in the 1970s, when he first heard Beethoven’s Fifth and Ninth symphonies.
“Those pieces became my go-to music whenever I needed to relax or unwind,” he reflected.
Mackey emphasizes that classical music has long been part of Houston’s Black community, though many may not realize it.
“One of the misfortunes is that many of today’s youth don’t have the same early exposure I did,” Mackey explained. “When you hear this music as a child, it leaves an impression that can last a lifetime.”
His goal, he says, is to introduce urban youth to classical music and its history, showing how deeply it has been woven into the cultural fabric of Houston.
He also aims to highlight African American composers who have made contributions to classical music.
Author Kenneth Pleasant points out, “Africans and people of the African diaspora have historical ties to classical music. Instruments like the harp were central to music in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.”
Mackey cites notable figures, including Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Florence Price, William Grant Still, Scott Joplin, George Walker, and contemporary composers such as Jessie Montgomery and Jonathan Bailey Holland. These artists, over centuries, produced works that underscore the enduring contributions of Black musicians to the classical canon.
Excited about role
Mackey, who says he is excited and humbled to serve in his newest capacity, has been part of the Houston Symphony’s orbit for nearly a decade. He began his tenure as a Houston Symphony member in 2017. Ultimately, he became vice chair of the Houston Symphony African American Leadership Council (AALC) in 2021, a role he held through 2024.
As vice chair, one of Mackey’s main areas of focus was music literacy workshops on multiple occasions.
“We held those at various times on a number of occasions at our church [Greater Galilee MBC].
Mackey said that, although many church music ministry members can sing and play instruments, many don’t know how to read music.
“So, the Symphony partnered with us through their community Embedded Musicians Initiative, where they came out and taught music literacy, how to read music,” shared Mackey. “And people came from all over the city to take part.”
Mackey also organized summer series concerts where the symphony would actually go out into the community to perform.
“We went to Lily Grove, Wheeler Avenue, Community of Faith, Booker T. Washington High School, and other public spaces where families with youth could come and experience the symphony,” added Mackey, about his and the Houston Symphony’s community impact.
“And then to lead into this position just sort of gave me wings to know that this is something that’s very viable. There’s a great interest in it, and people really have a desire to engage with the Houston Symphony.
Mackey is on a mission to share all of the concerts, initiatives, and opportunities that the Houston Symphony has to offer our community.
Classical music / Black relevance
Mackey sees the relevance classic music has for Black people on the personal and collective levels.
Mackey wants to charge a new generation with becoming “stewards of our own stories,” especially those involving classical music.
“We were fortunate to come from a generation where our ancestors were stewards of our stories. They reminded us of who we were and whence we came from,” stated Mackey. “They talked about William Grant Still, who was the dean of African-American composers, and was the first African-American to have his symphony broadcast nationally.
Mackey says he’s grateful to be able to share with Houstonians what some of our ancestors have contributed to classical music and the genre, as well as the opportunities that exist for urban youth today.
“There’s a genre of music called hip hop and rap that has sort of inundated our youth. A lot of them feel like that’s what’s in,” added Mackey. “But for me, I want to share the history of the Scott Joplins, the King of Ragtime, or people like George Walker, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his work in classical music.
“These are things that are not necessarily taught in our schools. So, this initiative through the Houston Symphony, this council gives us the platform to be able to share this kind of history to the urban community, to our community.”
Mackey is equally excited about extending invitations to the Black community to experience various Houston Symphony events, aiming to provide a better understanding of what the classical field is all about.
“Listen, we [Black people] are welcomed in Jones Hall. We’re welcome to the symphony. In fact, last year we were really instrumental in the Cynthia Erivo concert, performing with the Houston Symphony,” said Mackey, about one of the highest-grossing symphonies in the Houston Symphony’s history.
Also performing with the Houston Symphony and generating a high-grossing event was hip hop artist and economic activist Killer Mike. The Houston Symphony also invites people to ring in the new year (2026) as its musicians perform with legendary trumpeter Byron Stripling, a former member of the famed Count Basie Orchestra.
“We want to be able to share that we can adapt our music [jazz, hip hop, etc.] in a classical format and play along with an organization like the Houston Symphony,” added Mackey.
