There have been several studies on the effect of music on mental health. This is especially true with the elderly. A long running study out of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia is finding that dementia may be delayed in the over 70 set if music is in their lives.
Links to other items mentioned in the podcast.
The Sound Of Silent Film Festival The Gateways Music Festival
When you think of countertenors what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
Randall Scotting, a countertenor, sees himself as a preserver of this unique male voice. He’s releasing the album Divine Impresario to celebrate one of the most popular castrato opera singers of the 17th and 18th centuries. His name is Nicolini.
Cancellations at the Kennedy Center continue even as the building is set to close for renovations.
The San Antonio (Texas) Philharmonic shuts down with hopes of returning someday.
Here are the links mentioned in the podcast for mentoring programs.
League of American Orchestras Applications now open for their Essentials of Orchestra Management program.
The Pegasus Opera Company in London is looking for opera singers.
In these last few weeks of Black History Month, there are still many more events celebrating Black excellence. One such event is with violinist Rachel Barton Pine, who founded the series “Music by Black Composers” as part of her foundation, the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation. She did it to advance opportunities to study and perform works by Black composers. Pine performs with the Madison Symphony in Wisconsin this coming week with a group of young people, the Suzuki Strings, performing the music of some Black classical composers.
Here are the links mentioned in the podcast:
The email to Kennedy Center Staff
Internships and Fellowships at the National Museum of African American Music
Oh Happy Day!
It’s Black History Month.
There are so many events celebrating “black excellence” in all genres of music. I’ve only mentioned a few, including the Colour of Music Festival. See more links below.
There’s a new audio edition of the Harry Potter books.
Believe it or not, the National Endowment for the Arts is offering Challenge Grants.
The Cliburn ends its piano competition for Amateurs. There are plenty of other piano competitions for amateurs, like this one in Paris.
Then there’s the closing of the Kennedy Center, ordered by the President.
Here are more links to Black History Month events:
While we look forlornly at the holiday bills as we head into tax season, there is some joy this January.
The Grammy winning and nominated this year again Jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner is grateful and humble after winning the 300k Gilmore inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award.
Donors have nearly flooded the Washington National Opera with funds after the opera company departed the Kennedy Center.
There are still many ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many other African American leaders as we head into Black History Month.
And oh my as George Takei would say, there’s a Star Trek version of a Mozart opera.
Here’s a link to the League Of American Orchestras Student Leadership Council.
