Tag Archive for: Texas

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.

Disability Champ ART SPARK Texas Names Its Annual Winners

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Every year Art Spark Texas chooses five or more artists who are disabled as winners of their annual awards. 

Celia Hughes, Executive Director, says the categories range from Artist of the Year Award,  the Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award, the Creative Veteran Service Award and several others.

In this Staccato, we focus on the 2025 SPARK Award winner Zachary LaViola of Austin whose autism and other issues does not prevent him from being a classical pianist.

There’s also filmmaker Matthew Alaniz, of Austin, TX, who is recognized as an artist who elevates disability awareness through digital or media art. You can see one of his movies “Ten To One” here.

Celia Hughes & Matthew Alaniz

Art Spark is now calling for Submissions for the 16th Annual Distinguished Artist Veterans Exhibit.

A Texas Teenager Goes Miles For Music

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There’s a young woman in the Dallas area who is introducing at risk and low-income kids to classical music through a program called Miles for Music.  Emma Fossum, a 17-year-old high school student says the idea for the free program started with her youngest sister, who is autistic. 

Fossum, a pianist and a beauty queen has been traveling to schools in North Texas presenting the program for the last 8 months.  She’s hoping to expand the program statewide and maybe nationally. 

Another Texan Wins The Jimmys

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It was a back to back win for Texans at this year’s Jimmy Awards.  These are the National High School Musical Theatre Awards that recognize the best high school-age musical theater talents in America.  It was held in June on Broadway in New York.

This year, it was Damson Chola Jr. from Cleburne, Texas, matching his win with last year’s winner Langston Lee from Leander, Texas.

Langston Lee.  Winner Of The Jimmys

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Remember the name Langston Lee.  You most likely will be hearing about this 18 year old from Rouse High School in Leander, Texas.  He is the first winner of “The Jimmys”, a national high school musical competition,  to represent the local version, the Heller Awards For Young Artists in their first year of eligibility. 

Langston Lee Photo: Jimmy Awards