Tag Archive for: Podcast

INVISIBLE PLAYER

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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

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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.

They’re Tapping Their Feet, Anyway. 

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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.   

Music About The Fallen.  More Firings and Resignations While Promotions Abound.   

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The firings and resignations continue in all parts of the American universe.  National Endowment for the Arts grants have been slashed, leaving arts and music organizations scrambling for funds.   

With memories of Memorial Day still with us, two new albums have been released honoring the fallen. A Symphony For Vietnam Veterans tells the musical tale about the trauma and some joy in that war.  The opera An American Soldier spotlights the suicide of a Chinese American soldier after weeks of daily beatings by members of his own unit.

There’s a quick reminder to all professional women conductors to apply for a competition that’s already considered prestigious:  The La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors.

Harpist Ashley Jackson, DEI Takes A Hit and Two Shows You Don’t Want To Miss.

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To steal a phrase from a big budget movie franchise: 

There is a disturbance in the force.

Many if not all of DEI programs have been cut by the federal government.

Harpist Ashley Jackson has a new album that will soothe your soul.

The Equity Arc Wind Symphony and Words and Music of Black America are two shows you need to see and hear. 

A couple of competitions are waiting for your application.

The Thomas Zajac Memorial Scholarship

Lillian and Maurice Barbash J.S. Bach Competition

Loving v. Virginia.  An Opera Out of History And On to the Stage

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A new opera is about to premiere in Virginia called Loving v. Virginia.  It tells the true story of an interracial couple who had to go to the Supreme Court to legalize their marriage.  Two well-known opera singers were asked to compose and direct. Bass Baritone Damien Geter composed the music and Mezzo Soprano Denyce Graves is directing. 

Also on this March 2025 edition of Classical Music In Color.  The heartbreaking story of a music camp for BIPOC high school musicians that was shut down by the federal government. 

Here are the links to the competitions mentioned in the show.

The Audition Intensive from Sphinx

Video Biennial Open Call

Early Music America Engagement Awards

LIFT EVERY VOICE FOR JULIA PERRY

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February 2025 brings us Black History Month and the 125th anniversary of the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice And Sing. There are many arrangements of this uplifting song including two acapella versions featured in this month’s podcast. There’s also celebrations at Lift Every Voice and Sing Park in Florida.

Composer Julia Perry (1924 – 1979) has finally found a copyright holder and a distributor of her music. After a long legal tussle, a non-profit called Vidamus has the copyright and Boosey and Hawks will distribute it.

Watch with joy as Karen Slack and Michelle Cann accept their Grammy. 

Julia Perry’s Catalog of Music Is Finally Available  

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African-American composer Julia Perry died in 1979 without a will, after an illustrious career in classical music that started in the 1950’s. Then she and her works fell into obscurity. Nearly 50 decades later, Perry’s music is back in part because it is finally legally available for musicians to perform.

That’s thanks to Dr. Louise Toppin, the Director of Vidamus, a group promoting concert works by under-presented composers. Vidamus has joined with Boosey and Hawkes, to distribute Perry’s music.  Now they’re looking for more of her “lost” compositions. 

IT’S NICE TO BE BACK.  On Classical Music In Color

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I was pretty happy to see the last of 2024. 

So many reasons but I think after some time, I am happy to be back producing more episodes of Classical Music In Color in 2025.

In this episode I tell you about music organizations like Arts2Work and the League Of American Orchestras offering help for those affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires. Shoppe Black also has a list of African-American businesses that are helping too.

I also cover BIPOC classical musicians who are up for Grammy Awards. 

Application season is here for young musicians looking for a summer music program.  Equity Arc is offering a streamlined application.

There’s a job open at the Berkeley Symphony with Joseph Young stepping down. 

There’s Almost No Music In This Classical Music Program

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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”