Classical Music In Color
Changing The Complexion of Classical Music
As we move into the fall season for performing arts, there is uncertainty, still, about how it’s all going to work out. On this August/September 2020 edition of Classical Music In Color, hear some of the push back from some classical music groups to the Black Lives Matter message. Black American classical musicians talk about what they go through on the job. There’s also information about grants from the Artist Relief Program. On the musical side, we play a tribute to George Floyd, and there’s a piece from D-Composed.
Links to items mentioned in the show. If I missed anything, please let me know.
Artist Relief Invites Applications
Ross McKee Foundation Piano Series
Colour of Music Festival Posters
J’nai Bridges Panel on Racial Disparity and Inequality in Opera
The artists of this George Floyd memorial mural in Minneapolis are:
Niko Alexander, Cadex Herrera, Greta McLain, Xena Goldman, Pablo Helm Hernandez.
The additional photos in this George Floyd mural indicate some of the stories and music in this show.
This Show Is In Honor Of George Floyd
This June 2020 edition of Classical Music In Color is mostly a concert of music composed by African-Americans in classical music that’s about injustice. Most of the music you’ll hear was composed before the murder of George Floyd but which, sadly and horribly, resonates even more now. I’d like to thank the Sphinx Organization for allowing me to play The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed. Actress Jennifer Lewis for her performance and composition of Take Your Knee Off My Neck, and Composer Charles D. Dickerson III for producing a video to go with his work: This Is Why We Kneel. Dickerson runs the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.
Links to competitions and concerts are below. If I missed anything, please tell me.
National Sawdust Composer Competition
Castle Of Our Skins – Black Composer Miniatures
DAUGHTER OF THE BOYCOTT by Karen Gray Houston
New Haven Symphony Songwriting Contest
Challenge the Stats Virtual Concert
Honor the Men and Woman who FOUGHT and DIED for your right to vote. Please VOTE.
APRIL-MAY 2020 – Staying Home
Just like the everyone else, the world of classical music is adapting to C-19 restrictions. In this April/May 2020 edition of Classical Music in Color, we present clarity about unemployment benefits for musicians. We also have two musical guests, and announce some important cancellations and online events prompted by C-19.
Links are below. If there is a link that I did not provide, please let me know.
University of Richmond President Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher
The National Association of Negro Musicians
March 2020 – The Quarantine Edition
Less Talk. More Music.
Cause maybe, at this point in the quarantine, you’re tired of watching a screen. Take a mental vacation by LISTENING to new music from Jonathan Bingham. Hear why pianist Richard Valitutto feels it’s his duty to perform George Walker’s music. Then listen to him perform it. We also have some information on how some struggling music groups can get financial help. Then there’s Mr. Macaronii’s hilarious song about washing your hands.
Here are the links mentioned in the podcast:
Los Angeles Times Article about Richard Valitutti
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Colton Fellowship
The Rubin Institute for Music Criticism
New Music For America – bob.rosoff@gmail.com
Resources for Information and Financial Help for Struggling Arts Groups
The National Endowment for the Arts
If there is a link mentioned in the podcast that I neglected to provide here, please let me know.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH 2020
In this African-American History Month (I still call it Black History Month) there is positive news about the inclusion of people of color in the mainstream world of classical music. In our main interview, Samuel Thompson of Baltimore talks about the organizations committed to it. Still there’s some not so good news about it when it comes to the statistics. That means you should apply for some of the workshops and competitions mentioned in the show. Thank you for listening to Classical Music In Color. Click on the links for more information. TRT: 19.56
Finally, a documentary about African-American Opera Singers
For earlier editions of CLASSICAL MUSIC IN COLOR, go to the Archives page.
