Tag Archive for: KMFA

A Love Letter To Home, Wherever It May Be

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There’s no place like home.  A familiar line from a familiar movie and so very true.  The Miro Quartet, The University of Texas String Quartet In Residence with an international reputation and a GRAMMY nomination, honed in on the theme with their latest album Home. They illustrated the essence of Home with a video of their performance of Over The Rainbow. 

Daniel Ching, one of the founding members of the group says Home is a love letter to and appreciation of all the things they call home. 

The Lullaby Project

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There’s a program coming up live and online in New York that is all about babies and music.  It’s from Carnegie Hall’s The Lullaby Project.  This is a concert of many of the songs composed by new parents with the help of professional musicians.  Some of the performers are opera singers who sang some of the compositions written by the parents.   Austin Classical Guitar was involved in this program, helping local parents express their emotions about their very young children.

Tiffany Ortiz, the Director of Early Childhood Programs at Carnegie Hall is inviting others to develop their own Lullaby Projects.    

The Young Masters

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Imagine what it must be like to have someone give you a free trip to the arts camp you’ve always wanted to attend.

That happened to 15 high school students all over Texas via the Young Masters Program of the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Texas Cultural Trust. 

Lerchen Zhong of Westwood High School in Round Rock is the only local student chosen for the program.  He already knows where he wants to spend his summer. 

Dr. Gary Gibbs, the executive director of the Texas Commission On The Arts says the grants are for all disciplines in the arts.

The Heller Awards for Young Artists

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Something bright and refreshing graced the stage at the Long Center a few weeks ago.  It was the Heller Awards for Young Artists.  It honors the best high school musical productions from this school year. Two students are headed to the national competition, the Jimmys in New York next month. 

Ginger Morris, who runs the Hellers, is hoping more schools take part next year. 

Austin Opera Ends This Season In A Blaze Of Carmen

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Austin Opera is ending their 2023-24 season with the red-hot opera Bizet’s Carmen.  The cast is full of young singers, many of whom are making their debut with the Austin Opera. 

CEO Annie Burridge is hoping this super popular work from Bizet will entice audiences back to the Long Center after the hibernation forced upon us by Covid. 

 

Conspirare Celebrates The End Of Their 30th Season.

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As the end of most performing arts seasons come to an end, the Grammy winning choir, Conspirare is going out with a blast of three programs featuring a 30th anniversary event and the post pandemic return of Conspirare’s Symphonic Choir.   Founder and Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson is celebrating the end of their 30th season with a musical bash.  

Music Might Be Best With Your Medication

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There may come a time when classical music and other types of music will be “prescribed” along with your medication.  A Canadian Pharmaceutical expert and researcher, Dr. Tony Kiang, is taking up a study to determine if listening to music while taking your medication would improve its effectiveness. 

The Eclipse Is Coming and So Are The Concerts

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The upcoming Solar Eclipse will darken the sky for a few minutes on April 8th.  Texas orchestras are providing the soundtrack with concerts celebrating the celestial event.  The Waco Symphony is having it’s ‘Sci-Fi Spectacular’  Sun, Moon and Superstars concert.  The East Texas Symphony has collaborated with Tyler Junior College for a musical and visual feast.  Here are other eclipse related music events.   

The End Of The Season: The Beijing Duo & David Russell

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Just in time for the solar eclipse, Austin Classical Guitar presents two programs ending its 2023-2024 season.  Your eclipse guests might enjoy classical guitarists the Beijing Duo or if they stay long enough, David Russell.  Perhaps there’s an amateur classical guitarist in your circle who might be brave enough to try Open Mic night at the Rosette. 

Classical Music and Women, By The Numbers

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At least six U.S. orchestras are performing the music of Florence Price this Women’s History Month.  Other women composers are getting the spotlight too. 

That’s nice says Liane Curtis, the President of Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy, but it’s not really enough.  The organization has released its Repertoire Report which analyzes the programming of the top 21 U.S. Symphony Orchestras.