FEATURE: THE FUTURE IS WITH MEDIA
The Future of the Performing Arts is Digital. Marquee TV has a Major Head Start.
The Washington Post: Sarah L, Kaufman
With uncanny timing, MarqueeTV, a performing-arts streaming service, debuted in this country in February. None of its leaders could have predicted the global crisis to come, but the bittersweet irony is that it created ideal conditions for Marquee’s high-definition dance, theater and opera offerings, available on demand.
RESEARCH AND OPINION
Orchestras, Classical Music Programs Working Toward more Diversity in the Concert Hall, Leadership Roles
Chicago Sun Times: Kyle MacMillan
Despite attempts to boost the numbers in recent decades, the share of African American and Latinx musicians in American orchestras remained at just 2.5 percent in 2014, according to the most recent statistics available in a 2016 report released by the League of American Orchestras. The Catalyst Fund, a three-year, $2.1 million program launched in 2019 by the national support organization, is designed to help its members identify, confront and ultimately correct what Jesse Rosen, the League’s president and chief executive officer, called built-in “systems of inequity.”
Former Atlanta Ballet dancer Kiara Felder on systemic racism in the dance world
Arts Atlanta: Scott Freeman
In 2012, at age 20, Kiara Felder joined Atlanta Ballet and became, perhaps, the most prominent black female dancer in the company’s history. Still, she was always aware of the disconnect between the city where she lived and the audience and company for whom she danced.
Onstage, I’m a Professional Dancer. Offstage, I’ve Been Racially Profiled by Law Enforcement.
Pointe: Francis Lawrence (ballet dancer)
As recent events unfold in the news, the horrific images and stories of suffering have brought back memories of my own experience. During my career, I have had several encounters with police officers that have had a profound impact on me, the way I view the world and the concept of “white privilege.”
Is the Line Between Concert and Commercial Dance Finally Fading?
Dance: Suzannah Friscia
These days, it’s not uncommon to see major artists dabbling in both concert and commercial projects, and working in a variety of mediums rather than confining themselves to one part of the dance world. With more crossover than ever, the line between the two once-distinct career paths feels increasingly blurred.
‘We Can’t Do Our Craft’: Conductors Contend With the Pandemic
NY Times: Joshua Barone
With most orchestral concerts canceled, conductors have been largely invisible. The aftermath of cancellations has amounted to a surprise sabbatical for some of them. They have learned new languages, picked up old instruments, and composed. And they have begun to reimagine performances for the coming year.
Adolphus Hailstork: Bridging Two Worlds
San Francisco Classical Voice: Michael Zwiebach
Jacobs School professor Thomas Wilkins calls him “the dean of African American composers,” (a reference to William Grant Still, the subject of the piece).
Dr Noa Kageyama – ‘The Role Of Psychology In a Musicians’ Life’
The Violin Channel
VC recently caught up with performance psychologist Noa Kageyama – to get a better understanding of the role of psychology in a musicians’ life.
Going to my first concert of the pandemic felt like preparing for battle. Then I got there.
The Washington Post: Michael Andor Brodeur
I was preparing to head to Old Town Alexandria, where the local orchestral and choral touring company Classical Movements was hosting “Sounds of Hope & Harmony,” an outdoor trio of hour-long chamber concerts in the “Secret Garden” tucked behind its former-rectory headquarters on Princess Street. But it felt like I was preparing for battle.
Music and Liberation
Ludwig van Toronto: Robin Roger
To honour Pride Month, LVT spotlights two illuminating presentations on iconic gay composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Leonard Bernstein.
Wynton Marsalis Finds Solace in the Optimism of the Blues
The New York Times: Kathryn Shattuck
Marsalis, the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, puts his late father, Ellis Marsalis Jr., as well as Frederick Douglass and young musicians on his list of what’s important.
Fundraising in the Age of Coronavirus
San Francisco Classical Voice: Lisa Houston
“It gets lost sometimes in larger communities how many people opera companies employ,” said John P. Nuckols, executive vice president and chief strategic officer of LA Opera.
NATIONAL
Indianapolis Symphony is Nation’s Only Major Orchestra to Terminate Health Insurance for Furloughed Musicians
WISHTV: Julia Deng
“If I had the option to keep my health care, I would have kept it and I know every [ISO] musician that I’ve talked to would have kept it,” said Roger Roe, Jacobs School faculty member and the ISO’s assistant principal oboist and English horn specialist. “That [offer] was never presented.”
Black Classical Music Series Fights Persistent Funding Disparities
Charleston City Paper: Alex Peeples
A large, ambitious festival like Colour of Music is building a stage for marginalized black artists, and needs significant support, just as a white-led event of its scale would.
Jazz Is Built for Protests. Jon Batiste Is Taking It to the Streets.
The New York Times: Alan Scherstuhl
The pianist and “Late Show” bandleader has been bringing musical wake-up calls to events across New York.
Black classical music series fights persistent funding disparities
Charleston City Paper: Alex Peeples
‘The Last Water Fountain’
Cincinnati’s Music Diversity Fellowship Program Announces 2020 Recipients
The Violin Channel
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music have announced the recipients of its 2020 Music Diversity Fellowship Program.
Miami’s Nu Deco Ensemble for the 21st Century
The Violin Channel
Striving to celebrate and cultivate living composers, the ensemble collaborates with artists of all genres and mediums and engages its community in dynamic ways by providing educational and musical inspiration to Miami and beyond.
From Italy, CSO’s Riccardo Muti looks to reopen US, Chicago classical music scenes
Chicago Tribune: Colleen Barry
A full summer festival program is planned in his adopted home of Ravenna, even as the musical outlook remains grim in the United States, where he also conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Omaha Symphony selects successor to Music Director Thomas Wilkins
World Herald: Betsie Freeman
Ankush Kumar Bahl was named music director-designate of the symphony Wednesday morning. He will replace Music Director Thomas Wilkins, who has one more year in Omaha. Wilkins has been with the symphony for nearly 15 years.
From Nashville to Salt Lake City: Meet Utah Symphony | Opera’s new CEO
Deseret News: Lottie Elizabeth Johnson
One of the first things on Steven Brosvik’s plate is to figure out how the symphony and opera will emerge out of a pandemic and rise triumphant in the fall.
INTERNATIONAL
Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu Hosts Concert for Over 2000 Plants
The Violin Channel
The Gran Teatre del Liceu, in Barcelona has announced a unique concert idea with the musicians performing for plants instead of people.
Glyndebourne to stage outdoor opera with live audience this summer
Classic fm: Helena Asprou
Dust off your best outfit and pop the fizz – the magic of live opera is returning to Glyndebourne’s spectacular grounds (with social distancing…).
Czech Philharmonic performs first live concert with no social distancing restrictions
The Strad
This is the first ensemble concert since the start of the lockdown, in which no social distancing was required.
Queer as folk: traditional British music is now telling LGBT stories
The Guardian: Harry Harris
Folk music hasn’t always been as progressive as it might be – so it’s heartening to see queer-friendly collectives like Bogha-frois and FemFolk flourish.
Incorporated Society of Musicians responds to UK government’s ‘road map’ for return of performing arts
The Strad
‘Now is the time for a bold vision and firm action’ says ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts.
Israel Philharmonic to put on virtual gala hosted by Helen Mirren
The Strad
All proceeds from the event will go directly to supporting the orchestra as it recovers from the financial toll of COVID-19.
First symphony concerts return to Tokyo
The Strad
The first two symphony concerts in Tokyo since the start of lockdown took place on Sunday and Monday, in accordance with social distancing and hygiene regulations.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Aaron Dworkin Announces Launch of Groundbreaking Internet and TV Arts Show
The Violin Channel
Aaron Dworkin has launched a first of its kind video series entitled ‘Arts Engines’ – focusing on the human stories of those who are creating significant impact in the field of the arts.
The Benedetti Foundation releases Virtual Mini Sessions
The Strad
The Virtual Mini Sessions are designed to provide in-depth exploration of a wide variety of topics.
The Secret Lives of Playlists
WATT: Liz Pelly
That majors own their own playlisting companies servicing Spotify, and that these major-owned playlists have prominent placement within the platform, should come as no major surprise: Spotify is largely a collaboration with all three major labels.
Apollo Music Projects launches new creative writing challenge
The Strad
The music education charity, which usually organises live performances for primary school pupils, is hoping to keep children connected to classical music throughout lockdown.
OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL
Opera Over the Phone Offers Passion in a Pandemic
The New York Times: Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim
Through July 6, On Site Opera’s “To My Distant Love” recasts a Beethoven song cycle as a one-on-one telephonic encounter.
Luthier creates tiny playable violins during lockdown
The Strad
Bavarian violin maker Maria Sandner’s creations can be just 10cm long.
The Red Sox Organist Is Providing All the Baseball You Need Right Now
The New York Times: Ben Shpigel
With baseball shut down, Josh Kantor isn’t playing at Fenway Park. To fill the void, he plays a concert online every afternoon.
Leave a Reply