DECEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
If you are looking for an audiobook that will brighten your day and include short tuba interludes, look—or listen—no further. I'M POSSIBLE tells the remarkable story of Richard Antoine White, who was born into poverty in Baltimore and rose to become the first African-American to earn a doctorate in music for tuba performance. His path is remarkable for many reasons. White is a capable narrator who obviously brings authenticity to his story. His journey out of Baltimore never becomes maudlin and is always riveting. A further highlight is the brief but wonderful notes he plays on his tuba between each chapter—the production is worth a listen for those alone. J.P.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
06/28/2021
White, principal tubist at the New Mexico Philharmonic, salutes “the people who saved my life” in a plucky debut that charts his rise from the streets to the classical concert hall. He begins by reflecting on his homeless childhood as a Black boy in Baltimore, where he and his mother sometimes slept in abandoned buildings. His life turned around when he was adopted by foster-parents Richard and Vivian McClain and took up the tuba, sticking with the uncool instrument despite schoolyard taunts. Thus began years of training at the Baltimore School for the Arts (where classmate Tupac Shakur rapped with him), the Peabody Institute, and Indiana University. White’s is a classic tale of grit overcoming adversity with a big assist from tough-love—“‘I will come up to this school and whip your ass in front of the whole class if you don’t change your attitude,’” declared Vivian when he slacked off his studies in middle school—and the mentorship of great musicians. It’s also an evocative portrait of ambition and artistic aspiration: “I heard tuba like I had never heard tuba before,” White writes of being outplayed at an audition; “I left knowing what you must sound like to win.” The result is a vivid, inspiring saga of talent sprouting in unlikely places. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"Powerful . . . equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching. White is a gifted storyteller."
—Washington Post
"Resonant, beautifully wrought."
—Oprah Daily
"A painful, inspiring journey from start to finish."
—Zibby Owens, Katie Couric online
"An evocative portrait of ambition and artistic aspiration . . . a vivid, inspiring saga of talent sprouting in unlikely places."
—Publishers Weekly
"Remarkable . . . [An] exceptionally inspiring story of the power of perseverance and the saving grace of music and community."
—Booklist
"White writes passionately about his studies and relationships, his tone disarmingly direct, with flashes of lyric brilliance. This is a story of perseverance, hard work and a little luck; of love of music and the importance of community and both built and biological families. Readers will find his account touching and inspirational."
—Shelf Awareness
"The sweetest love song for his adoptive parents, for music, for miracles, and for those who supported White all along . . . [The] feel-best of feel-good books."
—Washington Informer
Library Journal
★ 11/01/2021
White (principal tuba player, Santa Fe Symphony) writes a memoir of survival, redemption, success, failure, belief in oneself, and belief in the power of music. As a child in Baltimore, White was often homeless and was later raised by his grandparents while his mother struggled with addiction. He found a love of music that eventually took him to the Baltimore School of Arts, where he studied tuba as one of the school's few Black students. White writes about persevering even when plagued by failures and unexpected illness; more generally, he discusses how the arts are among the first industries to suffer when the economy declines and being laid off in 2011 when the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra shuttered during the recession. However, White says he never lost hope once he'd discovered his true passion and found his "home" in the people and places he committed to. The epilogue brings the book to a magnificent close as White discusses how educators can recognize children who may be struggling at home and help them succeed. VERDICT A necessary addition to memoir collections. White's inspiring story tells the power of pursuing one's dreams, no matter what obstacles stand in their way.—Elizabeth Ragain, Rogers Heritage H.S., Fayetteville, AR
DECEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
If you are looking for an audiobook that will brighten your day and include short tuba interludes, look—or listen—no further. I'M POSSIBLE tells the remarkable story of Richard Antoine White, who was born into poverty in Baltimore and rose to become the first African-American to earn a doctorate in music for tuba performance. His path is remarkable for many reasons. White is a capable narrator who obviously brings authenticity to his story. His journey out of Baltimore never becomes maudlin and is always riveting. A further highlight is the brief but wonderful notes he plays on his tuba between each chapter—the production is worth a listen for those alone. J.P.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
