There is always much concern about the future audiences for classical music. The New York Philharmonic may have found the solution. It’s their 100-year-old Young People’s Concerts. A new one is coming up this month called the Young People’s Concert: Symphonies! Stories! Sibelius! It’ll tell an elaborate and fictional tale about the investigation of Sibelius’ Second Symphony written by classical music expert and writer Lauren Rico.
With the federal government shut down, (as of this writing) it’s difficult to say if there will be a federal observance of Veteran’s Day on November 11th.
So, In gratitude for their service, the podcast this week is all about the music composed to honor them.
The men and one woman featured in this show are just a few of the Veteran composers who wrote music for and about Veterans. One piece was composed and performed while the composer was in a POW camp.
Betsy Listenfelt, William Grant Still, Aaron Copland, Gustav Holst, Olivier Messiaen
There is also a piece about Native American Heritage Month.
When you took your shower today did you think about where the water came from? The source of it? Probably Not. There’s at least one arts organization in Austin, Forklift Danceworks, led by Allison Orr, who wants you to know and maybe learn how to help keep the clean water flowing.
While we all get accustomed to Classical Music in ColorS, let’s move on to Segment 2 of 2 of the October 2025 edition.
This time we’re talking about a woman who was, most likely, the first African American hired by an American mainstream orchestra, the 93-year-old South Bend, Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
Her name is Rosemary Sanders, whose name and some of her history was found as many items are, hidden in the orchestra’s archives.
This discovery shocked Dr. Marvin Curtis, the head of Arts Equity and Public Art in South Bend and Justus Zimmerman, of the Austin, Texas Symphony, formerly of the South Bend Symphony orchestra.
Both men decided to produce a documentary about Sanders called Invisible Player. It focuses on Sanders and other Black classical musicians, some of whom who are still facing difficulties.
The second change. Segments. I’ll be producing one new segment with one topic a week.
This first segment of the new Classical Music In Colors is about supporters, donors and volunteers who’ve stepped up to help arts organizations who are no longer receiving grants from the National Endowment For the Arts/Humanities.
As an example we focus on Castle Of Our Skins, a Boston based African American organization promoting classical music composers. They were able to hold their annual MassQ Ball thanks to donations from people like you.
Ciyadh Wells – General Director of Castle Of Our Skins.
Let me know what you think of the changes.
Jazz pianist and composer ArcoIris Sandoval spent her summer all over the place. We met her in July at the Zinc Bar in New York’s The Village where she was performing over a couple of nights before heading off to Massachusetts and other venues around the country. Sandoval took the time to learn more about her craft with her master’s degree in jazz piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music. In 2018, she released her debut Sonic Asylum Trio album entitled “First Voyage” which won a Global Music Award In 2018. She has also earned respect from long time jazz performers. So much so that George Cables performs her original composition “Journey to Agartha on his latest album “I Hear Echoes”.
RAMPD. It’s the latest indication that disabled musicians are emerging as bonafide able musicians.
The Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities was started in 2021. Two handicapped musicians got tired of venues that were not ADA compliant. Founders Gaelynn Lea and Lachi also got tired of those who couldn’t see past the musician’s disability.
Watch Gaelynn play the violin and sing here.
Keep in mind that this month is the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th.
We’re introducing you again to composer/singer Molly Joyce. She’s the disabled musician who has been featured on Staccato before. You can hear it here.
This Julliard grad returns with a new album STATE CHANGE with an unusual lyrical content: That of her medical records regarding the near decade long treatment for her disabled left hand. The music is all her compositions via some new technology she had to learn to use to make this album.
Molly Joyce is releasing the new album in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.
Every year Art Spark Texas chooses five or more artists who are disabled as winners of their annual awards.
Celia Hughes, Executive Director, says the categories range from Artist of the Year Award, the Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award, the Creative Veteran Service Award and several others.
In this Staccato, we focus on the 2025 SPARK Award winner Zachary LaViola of Austin whose autism and other issues does not prevent him from being a classical pianist.
There’s also filmmaker Matthew Alaniz, of Austin, TX, who is recognized as an artist who elevates disability awareness through digital or media art. You can see one of his movies “Ten To One” here.
Celia Hughes & Matthew Alaniz
Art Spark is now calling for Submissions for the 16th Annual Distinguished Artist Veterans Exhibit.
It’s that time of year again.
Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute chooses the brightest young players from across the country to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.
This year 15 of the 96 student musicians chosen are from Texas. Two are from Austin.
Dorian Herri is a double bass player and Lerchen Zhang is a violinist.
Before heading out for their tour of Asia, there will be a concert at Carnegie Hall on July 20th.