Tag Archive for: Second Street Dreams Audio Network

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

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

LIFT EVERY VOICE FOR JULIA PERRY

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. 

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

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

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”