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The String Quartet Smackdown

February 14, 2025/0 Comments/in Staccato/by Judlyne Lilly

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 22^nd 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

February 7, 2025/0 Comments/in Staccato/by Judlyne Lilly

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

January 25, 2025/in Staccato/by Judlyne Lilly

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.

The String Quartet Smackdown

Julia Perry’s Catalog of Music Is Finally Available

How the Orchestras Are Coping Amid The LA Wildfires

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