Tag Archive for: Second Street Dreams Audio Network

Native American Artists On the Indigenous Directory for Musical Storytelling

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In observance of National Native American Heritage Month, White Snake Projects, has introduced the Indigenous Directory for Musical Storytelling.  It names Native American musicians, artists, and crew members who are available for work. Some of them are Grammy award winners.  The co-founder and Artistic Director of White Snake Projects, Cerise Lim Jacobs says Native American artists were initially reluctant to sign up, fearing it was a scam. That’s despite the Pulitzer Prize White Snake Projects won in 2011 for the opera Madam White Snake. 

Links that may be of interest:


Music By, For, And About Veterans

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With the federal government shut down, (as of this writing)  it’s difficult to say if there will be a federal observance of Veteran’s Day on November 11th. 

So, In gratitude for their service, the podcast this week is all about the music composed to honor them.

The men and one woman featured in this show are just a few of the Veteran composers who wrote music for and about Veterans.  One piece was composed and performed while the composer was in a POW camp.

Betsy Listenfelt, William Grant Still, Aaron Copland, Gustav Holst, Olivier Messiaen

There is also a piece about Native American Heritage Month.

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.

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

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. 

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”