Vann R. Newkirk II, based on the diaries of Ella Sheppard, the group's first pianist and composer, and on materials in the historically black university's archives, recounts how the group came together in the 1870s to help save the impoverished school — and created a great American genre of music. - MSN (The Atlantic)
Today Black folk performers have reached a critical mass and level of exposure not seen since the early decades of the 20th century, when Black bands like Cannon’s Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band were among the most commercially popular in the country. - The New York Times
Female acts make up seven of the eight nominees in the top three categories — with SZA leading the pack with nine overall nominations while Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and boygenius earned six nods a piece. - The Hollywood Reporter
Sadiq Fitrat Nashenas, one of the last living stars of a golden era for Afghan music, fled the Taliban in 1991, settled in London and performed for audiences throughout the diaspora for 12 years. Last month, he sang in public for the first time in two decades. - The New York Times
When activating people’s innate artistry, teaching artists can guide that energy toward many goals. My analysis of employment in the field finds seven major goals teaching artists are hired to deliver. - Symphony
The State Department ran a major cultural diplomacy program during the mid-20th century, sending some of America's most prominent performers on overseas tours. Best remembered today are visits to Communist Eastern Europe, but the program was active in Latin America as well — with Copland as its leading light. - San Francisco Classical Voice
“Most of the airlines do not have a policy for musical instruments,” he said. “And when there is a policy sometimes it is not applied consistently.” - ClassicFM
The damage that Spotify is doing to the music ecosystem is well known. But it seems they are only getting started. Two months from now it will already be much worse. Either musicians force their way into the decision making for streaming, or the corporations controlling it will force musicians out. - Dadadrummer
The current crisis at the company is hardly the first: ENO has faced severe financial difficulties repeatedly over its history. Yet the government funding cuts ENO faces now, along with orders to relocate out of London, are more daunting than anything it's ever faced. - Financial Times
"The orchestra first visited China in September 1973, marking a thaw in U.S.-China relations just as the two nations began normalizing ties. … Fourteen of its members (are) traveling to China, including 73-year old Davyd Booth, a violinist who was on the orchestra’s first tour to the country ago." - AP
The mobile stage will move throughout different neighborhoods that are “corridors of opportunity.” There are six under-invested areas in Charlotte, which are designated by the city as corridors of opportunity. - Charlotte Observer
