FEATURE
Reinventing the American Orchestra
NY Times: Anthony Tommasini
Flexible programming, broader racial representation and welcoming spaces would go a long way in recovering from pandemic closures. Major institutions have been grappling not just with survival, but also with questions of mission, relevance and inclusion, issues that became even more acute when nationwide demonstrations for racial justice broke out last year.
RESEARCH AND OPINION
Obscure Musicology Journal Sparks Battles Over Race and Free Speech
NY Times: Michael Powell
A scholar’s address about racism and music theory was met with a vituperative, personal response by a small journal. It faced calls to cease publishing.
Composer Carlos Simon’s “Fate Now Conquers”
The Violin Channel
The Sphinx Symphony Orchestra virtually performed the new Beethoven-inspired work.
Cleveland Orchestra — With Music Director Franz Welser-Möst
The Violin Channel
In this podcast, Music Director Franz Welser-Möst and the musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra tell us about the influential music in their lives.
Barbara Dane’s Life of Defiance and Song
NY Times: Jenn Pelly
The 93-year-old musician and co-founder of the political label Paredon Records looks back on a history of resistance.
How the Pandemic Turned Us All Into Dancers
Slate: Isaac Butler
Choreographer and director Annie-B Parson reflects on how she gets inspiration for her art.
‘Sorry, Britney’: Media Is Criticized for Past Coverage, and Some Own Up
NY Times: Julia Jacobs
Conversations about the relentless focus on the pop star’s mental health, mothering and sexuality have begun anew following The New York Times documentary “Framing Britney Spears.”
NATIONAL
JSoM Alumna Alert! Voice of Freedom | American Experience
NPR
Featuring JSoM alumna Angela Brown, Voice of Freedom interweaves Marian Anderson’s rich life story with this landmark moment in history, exploring fundamental questions about talent, race, fame, democracy and the American soul.
Watch each episode at video.wkar.org during or after the premiere date.
Chick Corea, Jazz Keyboardist and Innovator, Dies at 79
NY Times: Giuvanni Russonello
When jazz and rock fused in the 1970s, he was at the forefront of the movement. But he never abandoned his love of the acoustic piano.
Chick Corea: Hear 12 Essential Performances
NY Times: Ryan Reed
Whether on his own, leading the collective Return to Forever or accompanying giants like Miles Davis, Corea helped enrich the lexicon of jazz — merging its harmonic language with the heaviness of rock and funk. But no description, even one this broad, can encompass a vision so limitless.
JSoM Alumna Alert! Local jazz artist’s guide provides insight on Chick Corea’s music
Herald Times
In 2017, local musician Monika Herzig released a guide for listening to the music of American jazz icon Chick Corea, who died this week at 79.
3 New Albums Retell the History of Black Composers
NY Times: Joshua Barone
Recordings by the pianist Lara Downes, the Catalyst Quartet and the baritone Will Liverman aim to correct the canon.
A New Generation Pushes Nashville to Address Racism in Its Ranks
NY Times: David Peisner
A small contingent of country artists and industry players have been speaking up in a business that likes to shut down dissent.
How Music Venues Convinced Congress to Save Live Entertainment
Bloominberg City Lab: Rebecca Greenwald
The Save Our Stages Act has been described as the biggest show of federal support for arts and culture in U.S. history. It started with a few independent music venues.
CIM’s new “Future of Music Faculty Fellowship” aims to prepare Black and Latinx prospective educators
The Observer: Hoai Phuong Nguyen
The fellowship will be awarded to 35 Black and Latinx music professionals who are pursuing or considering academic careers, preparing them with the skills, insights and networks to flourish professionally and influence generations of musicians.
Handel and Haydn Society Names Resident Conductor
The Violin Channel
Dr. Anthony Trecek-King will be the new resident conductor of Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society Chorus.
Colorado Symphony Receives Major Gift to Help Pay Musicians and Staff
The Violin Channel
The $2 million anonymous donation will allow workers to receive full salary and healthcare benefits through June, 2021.
Oregon Symphony announces new music director
Oregon Live: Lizzy Acker
The Oregon Symphony announced Tuesday that Austrian-born conductor David Danzmayr will serve as its next music director.
INTERNATIONAL
The Lamoureux Orchestra Appoints New Music Director
The Violin Channel
Conductor Adrien Perruchon will take on the role beginning in September of this year.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Can Branding Help Save Classical Music?
Fast Company: Lilly Smith
San Francisco Symphony’s rebrand aims to draw in a wider audience
Aaron Dworkin — With President of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music David Stull
The Violin Channel
Aaron Dworkin sits down with David Stull, President of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, to discuss their historic acquisition of Opus 3 Artists.
The pandemic has changed music education for good. These are the opportunities
Music X: Maarten Walraven-Freeling
It looks like there’s a massive gap as music education plays such a big role in many childrens’, and indeed people’s, lives. Where are the opportunities? Why haven’t they been capatilized on yet?
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Listen to an 18,000-Year-Old Instrument Sing Once More
Wired: Matt Simon
Long, long ago, a human modified a conch shell to belt out a tune. Here’s how scientists resurrected its triumphant sound.
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