Sphinx – The Second Street Dreams Audio Network

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

March 10, 2025/in Classical Music In Color/by Judlyne Lilly

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

It’s Time To Apply For Summer Music Programs

December 20, 2024/in Staccato/by Judlyne Lilly

This might be a good time for your high school or college musician to apply for some summer music programs. There are so many available and applying for each one can be expensive and time consuming. Equity Arc to the rescue with their Common Application for Summer Study for students in underrepresented communities.

Magee Capsouto the Associate Director of Equity Arc says applicants using the Common Application won’t have to pay the application fees. Another perk: You’ll only need to fill out the application once, no matter how many programs for which you’re applying.

The Opera about Fannie Lou Hamer

August 13, 2024/in Classical Music In Color/by Judlyne Lilly

_{Photo by www.ireneyoungfoto.com}

After reading numerous articles about our shorter than short attention spans, I’ve decided to split this, the August 2024 Classical Music in Color into two parts. It may be a permanent fixture. Let me know what you think.

The first part is an interview with 85 year old composer Mary D. Watkins who’s about to premiere her latest opera “Is This America” about the Mississippi Civil Rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer.

Mary D. Watkins is a Colorado native who earned a degree in classical composition from Howard University in Washington, DC. She started getting noticed later in life. She won a Female Composer grant from Opera America in 2020, has previously won composer fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, along with various other grants. AND She received a 2021 Artist Legacy Award from the California Arts Council. She was also recognized with a 2022 Composers Now Visionary Award. She says her composition of this opera was a long time coming.

The Second part of this, the August 2024 edition of Classical Music In Color is what I’m calling for now, the Albums, Opportunities, Events and Milestone section of the show.