Jeff Alexander Shares the Importance of Live Orchestral Music

The President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra speaks about the importance of live, in-person concerts and the day-to-day leadership of a major symphony orchestra. – n
Tags: Art, Ajblogs, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 02.20.21, Jeff Alexander Shares the Importance

Jeff Haydon Named New Director Of Ravinia

He currently serves as the CEO of New York’s Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, a position he has held since 2012. He also served as executive director of the Ojai Music Festival, and according to Friday’s statement, has previously worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and the Aspen Music Festival. – Chicago Sun-Times
Tags: Art, Music, New York, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia, Wayne Philharmonic, Ojai Music Festival, 07.10.20, Jeff Haydon, Caramoor Center for Music and Arts

Lara Downes Music: What's new in the New Year!

LOOKING BACK   2019... it was a year of milestones and marvels. Some high points:   My first No. 1 on the Billboard Chart!! My album For Love of You debuted with two weeks at #1, and brought the music of Clara and Robert Schumann to so many ears and hearts - more in the NY Times and Boston Globe...   I hosted NPR's From the Top with a cast of ridiculously talented young musicians who are also spectacular human beings. Listen to the show! (I'm hosting again in May, ...
Tags: Religion, Npr, Clara, Boston Globe, Ny Times, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Robert Schumann, Boston Pops, William J Zick, Florence Price, Paola Prestini, Bonnie Barrett, Tanglewood Washington Performing Arts Ravinia, Ravinia Festival the Louisville Orchestra

StockDailyDish.com: Paul Freeman enlightened us with 'Black Composers Series'

  Paul Freeman Conducting the Chicago Sinfonietta Stock Daily Dish November 25, 2019 Everyone in musical Chicago — and beyond — knows how hard Paul Freeman worked to bring sorely needed diversity to classical music. The most famous facet of the late conductor’s campaign was the Chicago Sinfonietta, which Freeman established in 1987 to open up minority staffing and repertoire in American orchestral music. But Freeman made an equally important – though far less ...
Tags: Religion, America, Chicago, Cbs, Smith, Florence, Louis Armstrong, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Walker, Freeman, Shaw, Armstrong, Sony Classical, Arturo Toscanini, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Freeman

CSO African American Network - Winter 2019 Newsletter

Festive greetings! Despite the chilling temperatures across Chicago, the CSO African American Network is heating up with the exciting adventures opening the 2019/20 season. We are thrilled about our new AAN Create Your Own Subscription offer. You can now design your own AAN subscription series by selecting your preferred dates and seating options from our newly-announced list of 19 AAN-hosted events and Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts. With this offering, you can curate ...
Tags: New York, Religion, Chicago, Paris, Beethoven, University Of Chicago, Norman, Florence, Daniel Barenboim, Jessye Norman, Anne, Schumann, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, CSO, Peri, Darlene

Sergio Mims: Wayne Marshall to Conduct Bernstein's "A White House Cantata"

Sergio A. Mims writes: Conductor Wayne Marshall announced on his Facebook page that he will be conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Leonard Bernstein's A White House Cantata next summer at Ravinia Music Festival outside Chicago on Thursday, July 30. The work was adapted from music and songs from the 1976 Broadway musical 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. with music Bernstein wrote with lyrics from Alan Jay Lerner (My Fair Lady, Camelot). The play only lasted 7 performance...
Tags: White House, Religion, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Bernstein, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Avenue, Leonard Bernstein, Lerner, Alan Jay Lerner, Ravinia, William J Zick, Sergio A Mims, Sergio Mims, Wayne Marshall, New York Times A White House

The Chicago Symphony’s Brass Is World-Famous. Hear It Blast.

As the orchestra’s storied brass section breaks in two young musicians, listen to what has made it so renowned.
Tags: News, Classical Music, Daniel, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Barenboim, Muti, Chicago Symphony, Riccardo

Sergio Mims: Rafael Payare conducting Mahler Symphony No. 5 with Detroit Symphony

Sergio Mims (L) and Rafael Payare (R) (Photo taken this past August at the Ravinia Festival after Rafael Payare conducted a concert of Beethoven and Brahms with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)  Sergio A. Mims writes: You and your readers I am sure will be interested that the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has posted on YouTube a marvelous performance of Mahler's 5th Symphony conducted by Rafael Payare from March 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ztalwhqBUw Ser...
Tags: Religion, Beethoven, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mahler, Brahms, Detroit Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, William J Zick, Sergio A Mims, Sergio Mims, Rafael Payare, 5th Symphony

PrinceWilliamLiving.com: Manassas Symphony in Florence Price's Symphony No. 1

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Prince William Living Dale, Virginia October 10, 2019 Provided by Manassas Symphony Orchestra The Manassas Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will open its 2019-2020 season on Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Under the baton of Music Director James Villani, the concert will feature a performance of the marvelous Symphony No. 1 in E minor by American composer Florence Price. Price is noted as the first Afri...
Tags: Religion, Arkansas, Florence, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, William J Zick, Hylton, New England Conservatory of Music, Florence Price Price, Manassas Symphony, Prince William Living Dale Virginia, James Villani

CSO: New: AAN Create Your Own Series options are now available!

Sheila A. Jones of the African American Network writes: Great Celebration! I am thrilled to announce that as an AAN member and friend, you can now design your own AAN subscription series by selecting your preferred dates and seating options from our newly-announced list of 19 AAN-hosted events and Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts. With this offering, you can curate your very own subscription to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and AAN events with a discount. The savings kick in...
Tags: Religion, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, CSO, William Grant, William J Zick, Josephine Baker, AAN, Cynthia Clarey, Sheila A Jones, Maestro Muti, Brahms ' Violin Concerto Florence Price

TheSkanner.com: Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Florence Price's Symphony No. 1

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) The Skanner Portland and Seattle 03 May 2019 The Metropolitan Youth Symphony Brings the First Symphony by an African-American Woman Ever Performed in the US to Portland Named for the pioneering African American composer Florence Price, “America’s Florence” is believed to be the West Coast Premiere of Florence’s "Symphony No. 1 in E minor," winner of the first place prize for an orchestral work in the progressive Rodman Wanamaker C...
Tags: Religion, US, America, Portland, Npr, Seattle, Florence, Dvorak, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, William Grant, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, William J Zick, Bob McQuiston, West Coast Premiere of Florence

Chicago Symphony Ends Its Longest Strike With Pension Change

Bringing a nearly seven-week stalemate to a close, the new agreement was brokered with the help of Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel.
Tags: News, Classical Music, Strikes, Emanuel, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rahm, Muti, Pensions and Retirement Plans, Riccardo

Chicago Symphony Musicians Vote to End Orchestra’s Longest Strike

Bringing a nearly seven-week stalemate over pensions almost to a close, the new agreement was brokered with the help of Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel.
Tags: News, Classical Music, Strikes, Emanuel, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rahm, Muti, Pensions and Retirement Plans, Riccardo

AndoverTownsman.com: 'Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight' by Florence Price, May 4

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Andover Townsman Andover, Massachusetts April 25, 2019 The Andover Choral Society, directed by Dr. Michael Driscoll, is delighted to present the premiere performance of Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight by African-American classical composer Florence Price on Saturday, May 4 at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of North Andover High School. Chicago-based composer Florence Price was the first African-American woman to have a composition...
Tags: Religion, Chicago, Florence, Abraham Lincoln, Driscoll, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Michael Driscoll, Marian Anderson, William J Zick, Florence Price, North Andover High School Chicago

Symphony, union accept Emanuel offer to help end strike

CHICAGO (AP) — Both striking musicians and management of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra have welcomed an offer by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to help end a nearly two-month work stoppage over pensions and wages. Representatives for the two sides issued statements accepting Emanuel’s Wednesday evening proposal that his office play a role in crafting an agreement. […]
Tags: News, Entertainment, Ap, Chicago, Nation, Rahm Emanuel, Emanuel, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Classical-music.com: A guide to Florence Price

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Classical-music.com The official website of BBC Music Magazine Submitted by Freya Parr 18 April 2019 A guide to Florence Price We introduce you to the composer who became the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra ...
Tags: Washington, Religion, US, America, Chicago, Ethiopia, North America, Smith, Florence, Jim Crow, New England, Booker, South, James, Boston Massachusetts, Atlanta Georgia

BroadwayWorld.com: MYS Performs 1st Symphony of Florence Price in Portland

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Broadway World Los Angeles April 15, 2019 This May, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony illuminates the diversity of our nation's rich cultural tapestry with the program "America's Florence." Named for the pioneering African-American composer Florence Price, this concert features what is believed to be the West Coast Premiere of her Symphony No. 1 in E minor, winner of the first place prize for an orchestral work in the prog...
Tags: Religion, America, Portland, Npr, Florence, Dvorak, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, William Grant, William J Zick, Florence Price, Broadway World Los Angeles, Bob McQuiston

Chicago symphony may cancel more concerts; strike continues

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Symphony Orchestra may cancel more concerts after striking musicians rejected what it calls its last, best and final offer on a new contract. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association President Jeff Alexander called it “an exceptional, comprehensive compensation package” in a statement early Tuesday. Members of the Chicago Federation of Musicians voted […]
Tags: Business, News, Entertainment, Ap, Chicago, Nation, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jeff Alexander, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Chicago Federation

Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians go on strike

The musicians in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra go on strike over pay and pensions.
Tags: News, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

BBC Music: This is...the recording of the First Symphony to own [Florence B. Price]

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) John Jeter sends this review: BBC Music April 2019 Rebecca Franks Price Symphony No. 1 in E minor; Symphony No. 4 in D minor Fort Smith Symphony/John Jeter Naxos 8.559827 69:04 mins Interest from major US ensembles in the orchestral works of Florence Price (1887-1953) is flourishing, a mark of recognition that she sought, unsuccessfully  apart from on one occasion, during her lifetime. Pr...
Tags: Religion, US, Bbc, Florence, Symphony, Dvorak, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New World, William J Zick, Frederick Stock, Rebecca Franks, John Jeter, Fort Smith Symphony, G Schirmer, John Jeter Naxos

BostonGlobe.com: Lifting the baton to bring composers of color into the canon

Thomas Wilkins (John Blanding/Globe Staff) Boston Globe By David Weininger Globe Correspondent   March 21, 2019 There was a joke that, earlier in his career, Thomas Wilkins and his fellow black conductors would share knowingly. “The joke was: We were always really busy in February,” he said by phone during a recent interview. February, of course, is Black History Month, during which “orchestras wanted repertoire by African-American composers...
Tags: Religion, Sierra, Black History Month, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Wilkins, Ellington, Samuel Barber, BSO, William J Zick, Florence Price, Hailstork, Adolphus Hailstork, Thomas Wilkins, Roberto Sierra

San Francisco Symphony Musicians Announce Their Support For Striking Colleagues In Chicago

They are supposed to perform in Chicago on Tuesday, but they say they “will join striking Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians on the picket line if the labor conflict hasn’t been settled by then.” (They already sent a letter of support, but this is a bit more direct.) – Chicago Tribune
Tags: Art, Music, San Francisco, Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 03.22.19

Conductor Muti joins striking Chicago Symphony musicians

CHICAGO (AP) — Renowned Italian conductor Riccardo Muti (MOO-tee) has joined striking members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, saying: “I am here with my musicians.” Muti is the symphony’s music director. But instead of directing rehearsal Tuesday morning, he appeared with the striking musicians outside the Chicago Symphony Center in downtown Chicago. The Chicago Tribune […]
Tags: News, Entertainment, Ap, Chicago, Nation, Chicago Tribune, Riccardo Muti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Muti, Chicago Symphony, Chicago Symphony Center

2 Sides In Chicago Symphony Orchestra Strike To Meet On Friday

The musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — one of the top orchestras in the U.S. — are on strike. At issue are salary and pensions. The contract expired Sunday night.
Tags: News, Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Chicago Symphony musicians on strike in contract dispute

CHICAGO (AP) — Striking musicians at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are grabbing picket signs instead of piccolos after a lack of progress in contract talks. Musicians walked a picket line Monday in front of Orchestra Hall, a day after an afternoon performance and negotiations that stretched into Sunday evening. They say management is trying to […]
Tags: News, Entertainment, Ap, Chicago, Nation, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Hall

Chicago Symphony musicians on strike after talks break down

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians say they are on strike after contract talks broke down. They say in a news release that picket lines will form starting at 8 a.m. Monday. They say management is still trying to reduce their pension benefits after nearly a year of negotiations. The musicians walked out after […]
Tags: News, Entertainment, Ap, Chicago, Nation, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Salvatore Scibona's Playlist for His Novel "The Volunteer"

In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book. Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Heidi Julavits, Hari Kunzru, and many others. Salvatore Scibona's brilliant novel The Volunteer is both moving and epic. Booklist wrote of the book: "Scibona’s lyrical yet muscular prose anchors this majestic work as he probe...
Tags: Music, Paul Simon, David, Iowa, Cambodia, Jesus, Vietnam, Marilynne Robinson, Saigon, Simon, Claude Debussy, Kirkus, Atomic Books Comics Preview, Joseph, Schumann, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Colour of Music Festival Honors Pioneering Black Female Composer Florence Price Mar. 27-30

Piano and Voice Recitals * Quartets *  Chamber Ensemble * Orchestra and Chorus Colour of Music Festival Orchestra 2019 Colour of Music Festival Honors Pioneering Black Female Composer Florence B. Price March 27-30, 2019/Charleston 2019 Colour of Music Festival Returns to Charleston This Spring March 27-30, 2019 Black Classical Musicians Festival Honors Pioneering Black Female Composer Florence B. Price FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—February 27, 2019 Charlesto...
Tags: Religion, Illinois, Florence, Caribbean, Richmond, Charleston, Houston TX, Charleston South Carolina, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Richmond VA, Pittsburgh PA, Charleston SC, Chelsea Tipton, Okoye, Burk, William J Zick

NewMusicBox: Plus Ça Change: Florence B. Price in the #BlackLivesMatter Era

Florence B. Price (1887-1953) NewMusicBox By Douglas Shadle February 20, 2019 “While more and more blacks are being driven into homelessness,” a classical music fan fumed, “Mostly Mozart is rewarded with government, corporate, and media support.” The problem? No black composers on the program—not even Mozart’s great contemporary, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. We can easily imagine this critique as a sic k Twitter burn from last summer, or...
Tags: New York, Religion, Green, Chicago, United States, Florence, Mozart, Powell, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Abdul, Minnesota Orchestra, John Powell, Nancy Leong, Roland Hayes, William J Zick, Samuel Coleridge Taylor

TribLive.com: Pittsburgh Symphony performs Florence Price's Symphony No. 1 March 2, 8 PM

Hill Dance Academy Theatre Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review JoAnne Klimovich Harrop Friday, February 22, 2019 The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has teamed with Hill District community members for the annual “Lift Every Voice” concert, a celebration of the neighborhood’s cultural legacy. The concert is at 8 p.m. March 2 at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts in Downtown Pittsburgh. Symphony and associate conductor Andres Fra...
Tags: Religion, Pittsburgh, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Heinz Hall, Capathia Jenkins, Pittsburgh Tribune, William J Zick, Florence Price, Ade Williams, Deanna Witkowski, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, Performing Arts in Downtown Pittsburgh Symphony, Andres Franco, Demeatria Boccella