The La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors

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Applications are now open for the La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors. It takes place in Paris every two years.  It is a competition that is fast becoming THE place where women conductors can be seen, heard, and hired. Even for those who don’t win or place, there’s an Academy co-directed by the Philharmonie de Paris and the Paris Mozart Orchestra led by Claire Gibault and Olivier Mantei.

Claire Gibault

The percentage of women conductors has increased worldwide to 8%. A big increase considering it was only 4.3% in 2018. It still wasn’t enough for Gibault. She started the competition to increase the visibility of women conductors and to showcase their talent.

The competition is also the subject of a documentary Maestra, now streaming on Netflix.

Meet The Composers Of Some Of Your Favorite Video Games

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If you are a gamer who likes to listen to the music of video games, this event is for you. 

POWER UP:  THE ART OF VIDEO GAME MUSIC presented by Density 5-1-2 of Austin, is covering all of the bases when it comes to composing and recording music for video games.

Perhaps the music for the video games Walkabout Mini Golf by Mighty Coconut or The (evil) Baby in Yellow composed by Virginia Leo or the ABZÛ score by Austin Wintory captivates you as a player and as a fan of orchestral music.

Artistic Director Jacob Aaron Schnitzer says the event shows that Video game music has emerged as a gateway to symphonic music which draws younger audiences to orchestral performances.

Power Up:  The Art of Video Game Music takes place Friday, March 14th during SXSW at KMFA.

The String Quartet Smackdown

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After a two year break, Golden Hornet’s String Quartet Smackdown is on again.  This is the competition that uses the bracket system of March Madness with a live audience to determine the winner. Among the 16 finalists is Evan Blaché of Cedar Park, who won the competition two years ago. 

The String Quartet Smackdown is Saturday, February 22nd at The Baker Center.

That same weekend, the Austin Symphony Orchestra gives a nod to Black History Month with its American Splendor concert.  It features Duke Ellington and Luther Henderson’s evocative Three Black Kings,  the world premiere of Sam Lipman’s poignant Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra. Also on program, Leonard Bernstein’s vibrant On the Town: Three Dance Episodes and George Gershwin’s iconic An American in Paris

Julia Perry’s Catalog of Music Is Finally Available  

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African-American composer Julia Perry died in 1979 without a will, after an illustrious career in classical music that started in the 1950’s. Then she and her works fell into obscurity. Nearly 50 decades later, Perry’s music is back in part because it is finally legally available for musicians to perform.

That’s thanks to Dr. Louise Toppin, the Director of Vidamus, a group promoting concert works by under-presented composers. Vidamus has joined with Boosey and Hawkes, to distribute Perry’s music.  Now they’re looking for more of her “lost” compositions. 

How the Orchestras Are Coping Amid The LA Wildfires

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What a great loss!! 

The Wildfires in the Los Angeles area are still burning.  The loss of life and homes is immeasurable. 

Orchestras in the area are suffering their own losses, personal and professional. The League of American Orchestras says their disaster website is full of information on places to go for help.

There’s very bad news for the music of composer Arnold Schoenberg.  Much of his orchestral scores were destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire.

A Happy New You In 2025

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Did you make a New Year’s Resolution for 2025?

YouGov.com says the most common resolutions for 30- to 44-year-olds are saving more money (31%) and improving mental health (23%).  Generally speaking, being happy is on the list of resolutions for all age groups.  Researchers believe they’ve found a way to treat one of the most serious mental health issues: Treat Resistant Depression. It seems music therapy is the key.

Here is the link to Sophie Mathieu’s “Night Poem” performed by Austin Unconducted.

It’s Time To Apply For Summer Music Programs

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This might be a good time for your high school or college musician to apply for some summer music programs.  There are so many available and applying for each one can be expensive and time consuming.  Equity Arc to the rescue with their Common Application for Summer Study for students in underrepresented communities.

Magee Capsouto the Associate Director of Equity Arc says applicants using the Common Application won’t have to pay the application fees. Another perk: You’ll only need to fill out the application once, no matter how many programs for which you’re applying.

Are Books On Your List?

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Sometimes there’s nothing like putting on some comfy clothes and reading a really good book. 

Or perhaps you know someone who loves books with stories about classical musicians. 

For your holiday gift giving, here are a few suggestions.

Music and Silence by Rose Tremain.  It’s historical fiction about a 17th century English musician in Denmark.

With Bel Canto by Ann Patchett you can read the book about an American opera singer held hostage in a South American country. There’s also the audio book and the movie.

There’s a mental health angle with the book: Gone: A Girl, a Violin, a Life Unstrung by Min Kym.  A young violinist loses her instrument to theft and maybe her mind. Here’s a link to the audio book.  

Words And Music For The Children In Your Life

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Share the joy of the season with your children or grandchildren with books, and/or audiobooks.  These are written and orchestrated just for the super young set to introduce them to classical music. 

Here are a few featured in this Staccato: 

The Boy Who Said Wow  – Audio and Book

An Introduction To Classical Music

The Nutcracker – An Audio Play with Music

The Cliburn Agency

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The Cliburns have expanded. 

The prestigious piano competition has formed its own boutique firm called The Cliburn Agency.

Jacques Maquis, president and CEO of The Cliburn says the full-service firm offers comprehensive general management.  It means the four instrumentalists they’ve already chosen will receive  concert bookings, and publicity and branding services.

This comes right in the middle of preparations for the Cliburn International Piano Competition.  It’s scheduled for May in Fort Worth.