Walter F. Craig was a violin soloist and orchestra director in New York City. His career started in 1870 and continued until the 1930s. He was known for his performance and interpretation of classical music, but he also was popular performing at dances.
His musical career took off and he organized what was known as "Craig's Orchestra" in 1872. His orchestra began to tour widely and he also became internationally famous as a violin soloist. As a musician, he became associated with a number of prominent vocalists including women: Madame Selika, Nelly Brown Mitchell, Adelaide G. Smith, Flora Batson, Emma Azalia Hackley and Sissieretta Jones and men: L. L. Brown, William I. Powell, Thomas Chestnut, and Harry Burleigh. His compositions were also well known. He became concert master at the Mendellsohn School of Music and he was the first black conductor to be a member of the Musical Mutual Protective Union of New York City. Craig's orchestra was over half white until abou 1911, and the union was criticized for not supporting Craig as much as he supported it and white musicians because Craig was black. By 1887, his orchestra included 75 musicians. In 1893 he was elected a member of the Antonín Dvořák-led National Conservatory of Music of America. Later in his career, Craig became well known for introducing African American musicians to the stage. For example, in January 1915 he featured Roland Hayes in Hayes' premier New York shows. Craig was famous for a number of annual musical concerts. His first annual Christmas reception occurred in 1880 and continued into the early 1900s. Similarly, in 1880 he presented his first Annual May Festival which also continued into the 1900s. Possibly the most well renowned annual concert was his pre-lenten reception which took place at Palm Garden in New York and continued into the 1910s. Craig was at the front rank of musicianship among African-Americans and New Yorkers. His work frequently interpreted classical composors with "exceptional feeling and fidelity" and was important in shaping the musical tastes of African-American in New York city. His abilities stretched beyond classical composition and his orchestra was in great demand for dance programs.
Family and death
Craig married Bertie Toney-Craig. They had two children. Bertie died May 16, 1919. Later in his life, Craig worked as a violin teacher Craig died on or about February 8, 1933 at his home in Brooklyn
Works
Selika Galop – dedicated to Madame Selika
Arneaux March – Written for and dedicated to the dramas of John A. Arneaux
