Tag Archive for: Judlyne Lilly Gibson

An Opportunity for High School Wind Musicians

/in /by

This is another opportunity for a high school musician.  This time it’s for those who play wind instruments. Equity Arc is a national coalition dedicated to increasing racial equity within the field of classical music in the United States.

Magee Capsouto, the Associate Director of Equity Arc says they are now taking applications for their first Equity Arc Wind Symphony. It offers young musicians of color an opportunity to learn from the members of The President’s Own, The United States Marine Band. The primary deadline is November 10th. 

An Eclectic Fall Season at Texas Performing Arts

/in /by

Patrons of the arts are getting a variety of choices this fall season from Texas Performing Arts.  There’s the always popular Broadway in Austin musicals and plays.  There’s also the acts whose work could be described as curious and imaginative or maybe even mind blowing.

Bob Bursey, the Executive and Artistic Director of Texas Performing Arts says he looks for balance in booking shows because he wants to offer something for everyone. 

Chorus Austin Celebrates Its 60th Season

/in /by

Chorus Austin is celebrating a big milestone this year.  It’s the choir’s 60th anniversary. 

Ryan Heller, the conductor and artistic director of Chorus Austin says the all-volunteer choir is thriving. He’s designed their 60th season with all sorts of collaborations with Austin’s performing arts organizations. That includes their annual Messiah singalong in December.

There’s Almost No Music In This Classical Music Program

/in /by

You would think that a “special” classical music program would be all about the music. You’d be wrong if you’re talking about one particular program for high school aged female classical musicians.  The Fortissima program at Colburn School in Los Angeles is aiming for something completely different.

Artistic Director and Violinist Jannina Norpoth says they aim to teach their charges how to make it in the world they want to pursue. One student, Tess Reed, says this was the best experience ever.

String Quartet Smackdown

Crossing Borders Music seeks a violinist

Isata Kanneh-Mason Releases “Mendelssohn”

Classical Guitarists From All Over the World Come To Play In Austin

/in /by

Two of Austin’s most distinguished performing arts organizations are opening their seasons on the same weekend.

The upcoming 2024 season of Austin Classical Guitar could be called a musical United Nations.  Classical Guitarists from all over the world are on the schedule. 

Matt Hinsley, executive director of Austin Classical Guitar says he and artistic director Joe Williams were looking express their season theme of “Give”. Their first show is September 14th. 

The Austin Symphony opens its season Friday night, September 13th.  It’s called Dancing Around the World, with violinist Soojin Han. 

The Fall Season Ahead:

/in /by

ATX Chamber Music and Jazz

After the rush of Labor Day and the hectic days of a new school year, it might be time to socialize with some chamber music or perhaps some jazz.  In our annual series of seasons ahead, ATX Chamber Music and Jazz is offering a social experience.

Co-founders and Artistic Directors Geoffrey Herd and Anna Petrova say they give patrons the time to socialize with drinks and hors d’oeuvres before listening to a selective program of chamber music or jazz.  

The Season Ahead:  The Central Texas Philharmonic

/in /by

In just a few weeks performing arts groups will unveil the first shows of the 2024 Fall season.  There are many more in Central Texas than there used to be, so you have more than a few choices.

We’re starting with the Fall 2024 season for The Central Texas Philharmonic led by Music Director Stefan Sanders.  

Gustav Mahler Need Not Apply: The Symphonina

/in /by

It was the age of the audience at a classical music concert that lit a fire under David Fogel. 

He seems to have invented another genre of classical and orchestral music.  The Symphonina.  A short symphony just right for the younger set and older ears too. 

The Opera about Fannie Lou Hamer

/in /by

Photo by www.ireneyoungfoto.com

After reading numerous articles about our shorter than short attention spans, I’ve decided to split this, the August 2024 Classical Music in Color into two parts. It may be a permanent fixture. Let me know what you think.

The first part is an interview with 85 year old composer Mary D. Watkins who’s about to premiere her latest opera “Is This America” about the Mississippi Civil Rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer. 

Mary D. Watkins is a Colorado native who earned a degree in classical composition from Howard University in Washington, DC.  She started getting noticed later in life.  She won a Female Composer grant from Opera America in 2020, has previously won composer fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, along with various other grants.  AND She received a 2021 Artist Legacy Award from the California Arts Council.  She was also recognized with a 2022 Composers Now Visionary Award. She says her composition of this opera was a long time coming.

The Second part of this, the August 2024 edition of Classical Music In Color is what I’m calling for now, the Albums, Opportunities, Events and Milestone section of the show.

Here are the links:

Sphinx – SOPA

Black Violin Foundation Grants

Castle Of Our Skins Give Black

Kellen Gray

Lara Downes

Click Here

Sophie Mathieu – The Draylen Mason Composer in Residence

/in /by

Imagine what it’s like to actually be doing the job you love so much. 

It’s a feeling that Sophie Mathieu knows well.  She’s KMFA’s Draylen Mason Composer In Residence for 2024. 

Mathieu, a cellist, with a Masters from the Butler School of Music, is also the first local composer who’s been chosen for the program. Since the announcement in January, she’s been taking part in educational events, public and private workshops of her work with Austin Unconducted and various other activities.  This is in addition to working on her new piece.  Sophie is pretty sure she’’ll call it “Night Poem” when it premieres on September 22nd.