Tag Archive for: Judlyne Lilly Gibson

INVISIBLE PLAYER

/in /by

 

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.

Now it’s CLASSICAL MUSIC IN COLORS

/in /by

Welcome to a new version of Classical Music in Color.  The first change?  The name.  It’s now plural, CLASSICAL MUSIC IN COLORS.  This is the result of Staccato; my other podcast being cancelled by the radio station that aired it for 10 plus years.  I’m folding Staccato into Classical Music In Colors. 

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.

Meet Arcoriris Sandoval – A Jazz Pianist

/in /by

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”.  

Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities

/in /by

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.

Surgical Records As Lyrics?

/in /by

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.

Disability Champ ART SPARK Texas Names Its Annual Winners

/in /by

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.

A Musical Summer Adventure For Two Austin Teens

/in /by

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. 

They’re Tapping Their Feet, Anyway. 

/in /by

Another Austin, Texas arts organization has lost its NEA grant.

However, the Tapestry Dance Company is taking it, in as much stride as possible.

Instead of their annual 3 day tap extravaganza, the Soul 2 Sole Festival, they are holding a one-day event.   

 

Acia Gray, the Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Tapestry Dance Company, says they are treating the Tap Jam as a fundraiser for 2026 including their silent auction. 

They are also hoping the event on June 18th will act as a salve for the tap-dancing community.   

The Texas International Piano Festival in South Korea

/in /by

This is a very exciting time for the Texas State International Piano Festival.  They are holding this year’s event in Seoul, South Korea.  It is the first time they will be “off campus” for the 15 year old competition. 

It’s usually held at Texas State University in San Marcos, but it’s always been a dream of the co-founder Dr. Jason Kwak and some of his colleagues,  Dr. SungEun Park and Dr. Martin Kesuma to hold the competition in Seoul.

 

The Texas State International Piano Festival gets underway June 24th and runs until July 6th. 

More Orchestras Focus on Health Care For Their Musicians

/in /by

An increasing number of orchestras are taking it upon themselves to ensure the health of their musicians. They’re setting up a program called physio toolkit. The latest is the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in the UK.

Dr. John Chong, one of the founders of the Performing Arts Medicine Association or PAMA, in Canada says musicians face a number of specialized ailments that doctors don’t always see. 

This comes just as HAAM The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is celebrating its 20th anniversary annual member event. They’re offering free health and wellness services and other perks.  It’s on June 17th.