As the end of the summer approaches, two performing arts groups in Nashville have announced their plans to reopen, albeit with protective measures in place.
First Listen: Nashville Symphony New Release Featuring Composer Christopher Rouse
According to Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer Christopher Rouse, titles sound better when they’re in another language.
Classically Speaking Extra: Two Hosts And Their Origin Stories
Evening and overnight classical music hosts Scott Blankenship and Garrett McQueen do a lot of interviews together, and are often asked how they started their radio careers. So, to shake things up a bit, we asked them to each describe the other’s start in the profession.
From A Mountain To A Little Light: Three Men Named John Work Traced A Century Of African American Music
For some musicians, entering the field seems predestined. Multiple generations of talent combined with growing up around an impressive set of performances can set one on the path to a fruitful career. For John Wesley Work III, three generations of professional music-making led to a comprehensive collection of spirituals recorded for posterity, as well as […]
Classically Speaking: Music Should Face The Moment – Scott Blankenship And Garrett McQueen
While protests overnight in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd, Garrett McQueen and Scott Blankenship had the task of getting to work and hosting overnight classical music on the radio in nearby St. Paul.
Music By Student Composer Fellow Nika Duncan
Continuing to celebrate Local Composers Month means we’re also celebrating the completion of our first Student Composer Fellowship by enjoying the pieces our participants have written.
It’s Beethoven’s World. We’re Just Living In It.
In a 2017 interview in Rolling Stone Magazine, songwriter Billy Joel cited the lasting influence of classical music on his work – specifically the music of Beethoven. He pointed out that Neil Diamond had once said, “I have forgiven myself for not being Beethoven.” And this set off a realization for Joel: “I realized my […]
Panel Discussion: Advocacy In The Arts And ‘The Seven Last Words Of The Unarmed’
Classically Speaking host Colleen Phelps was joined by a panel of musicians, activists, teachers, and clergy to discuss Joel Thompson’s choral work The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed.
Music By Student Composer Fellow Anna Guelcher
As we head into Local Composers Month, we’re continuing to enjoy the new music our Student Composer Fellows have written during the program.
Listen: “The Seven Last Words Of The Unarmed” By Joel Thompson
Our podcast Classically Speaking will be hosting a digital panel with performers, activists, clergy, and composer Joel Thompson next week, focused on Thompson’s choral/orchestral work The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed.