WZick

[Flutist Julietta Curenton will give her solo debut in one of three concerts Saturday in Astral's Spiritual Voyages Festival. (Joanna Williams)] Philly.com Feb. 16, 2012 Presenting young artists in exotic classical formats David Patrick Stearns, Inquirer Classical Music Critic  “The one-day festival's three programs - at 1, 4, and 8 p.m. at Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square - are putting much of Astral's young-artist roster, not to mention its... Read Full Story

[ 13 WAYS of Looking at the Goldberg: Bach Reimagined ; Lara Downes, Pianist; Tritone Records (2011)] Lara Downes announces her new blog: “ Dear Friends, I'm very happy to invite you to the launch of my new blog ON THE BENCH: Conversations with Other Pianists . “ Inaugural interviews with Simone Dinnerstein, jazz pianist Dan Tepfer and critic Tim Page set the stage for a continuing series of intimate conversations with my friends and colleagues, discussing the... Read Full Story

[Camilla Williams (Photo: Progress-Index.com)] Patrick D. McCoy sends a link to an article by Markus Schmidt at Progress-Index.com, from which we present an excerpt: Progress-Index.com The journey of opera star began at VSU by markus schmidt (staff writer) Published: February 16, 2012 Her final performance at Virginia State University on Feb. 14, 1993, marked the end of a chapter in the life of Camilla Williams that began in the 1930s, when she launched her career... Read Full Story

[George Shirley] John Malveaux of www.MusicUNTOLD.com sends this review: Legendary tenor, Emeritus Professor of Music and former Director of the Vocal Arts Division of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance George Shirley delivered the keynote address at The African American Art Song Alliance Conference “Roots and Branches” on Saturday February 11, 2012 at Claire Trevor School of the Arts-Music, The University of California, Irvine. His topic title “Music... Read Full Story

[Denyce Graves (Photo: Devon Cass); Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, Freelon Adjaye Bond/Smith Group Design of NMAAHC (Photo by NMAAHC)] The Georgetown Dish “ President Obama To Attend Groundbreaking of African American Museum February 15, 2012 | by Mixing Bowl “ The Smithsonian Institution announced Wednesday that President Obama will deliver remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Smithsonian's National Museum of... Read Full Story

[Hannibal Lokumbe] When the prominent American choral group VocalEssence offered to arrange an interview with Hannibal Lokumbe, we immediately accepted. In a press release of Jan. 27, 2012, VocalEssence says:  “ VocalEssence has commissioned Joyce Award winner Hannibal Lokumbe, to premiere his new piece, In the Spirit of Being,  at the annual VocalEssence WITNESS Concert on February 19, 2012 (4 pm), at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul. It is one of the... Read Full Story

[ Deep River: A Spiritual Journey ; Rowe House Productions (1999)] TribLocal.com Naperville From the community Soulful program highlights Black History Month By Ted Slowik Tuesday “On Feb. 23 during Black History Month, North Central College will feature 'Deep River: A Spiritual Journey,' a live musical presentation and original narrative about African slaves who lived along the Great River before the Civil War. The free program will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday... Read Full Story

[Regina Harris Baiocchi] Regina Baiocchi is an accomplished African American composer, educator and poet based in Chicago.   Regina’s back with 2 events in February: Please join me for two (2) of my original compositions: · Sunday, 19 February 2012, 3 pm , American Guild of Organists presents Regina Harris Baiocchi’s Doxology (pipe organ) featuring Dr. Anthony Williams of Fisk University @ Loyola University  Madonna della Strada Chapel, 6474 North Kenmore , 773... Read Full Story

[ Morgan State University Choir] Dr. Eric Conway, Director of the Morgan State University Choir, provides the Choir's Schedule for the rest of February, 2012: Thursday, February 16, 2012 11:00 AM – Choir sings for Frederick Douglass Convocation ,  Gilliam Concert Hall, Murphy Fine Arts Center. Sunday, February 19, 2012 4:00 PM – Choir sings with the Smithsonian Orchestra – Music of  Duke Ellington at Strathmore Hall in Rockville, MD http://www... Read Full Story

[ Eugène Ysaÿe, Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27 ; Tai Murray, Violin, Harmonia Mundi HMU 907569 (2012) (68:48)] The liner notes for Eugène Ysaÿe, Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27  say of Tai Murray:  “She recently made her recital debut at London's Wigmore Hall as well as appearing at the BBC Proms and with the Cincinnati and Dallas symphony orchestras, the Shanghai Symphony, London's BBC Symphony, the BBC Scottish Symphony, the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela... Read Full Story