Podcasts about Chicago Sinfonietta

On this episode of NCTV17's Spotlight, fill in host Paige Ronchetti is joined by 3 local nonprofits: 1. The Naperville Garden Club 2. Chorus of DuPage 3. Chicago Sinfonietta

In this episode of the Musicians Guide podcast, host Karen Cubides interviews Monica Benson, a multifaceted artist, educator, and arts administrator. They discuss grant writing in the nonprofit sector and Monica's journey in the music industry. They also touch on topics such as pivotal moments in Monica's career, the importance of taking time off, and overcoming injuries. Monica shares her experiences with therapy and how it has supported her mental health and musicianship. In this conversation, Monica discusses her experience with therapy and the importance of mental health in the music world. She also talks about the need for better mental health support and training for teachers and institutions. The conversation then shifts to Monica's journey in the nonprofit space, including her first job in arts administration and her current role as the Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Chicago Sinfonietta. She shares insights on grant writing, including the importance of knowing the funders and using the budget as a narrative tool. Listener Write in: https://www.musiciansguidepodcast.com/about Patreon- Come Hang out: https://patreon.com/user?u=66581011&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link The Musician's Guide to Social Media Courses: https://www.musiciansguidepodcast.com/courses Leave us a Review on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-musicians-guide-to-being-healthy-wealthy-and-wise/id1440699268 Karen Cubides Agency: https://karencubidesagency.com Karen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen.cubides/ Jen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferjames.co/

This week's guest is Earl Talbot. Earl is a renowned Drummer, Composer, Producer, and Music Instructor. He wrote and produced over 90 songs broadcast regularly on the Oprah Winfrey Show. His career includes performances with house music legends Derick Carter and Mark Farina, as well as touring and recording with Master Griots Dialy Mady Cissoko, Christian Bourdon, Poi Dog Pondering, The Chicago Sinfonietta, as well as scores of other artists and clients.  As a multi platinum recording artist, Earl has worked on songs from Maya Angelou's "Human Family Remix" with Tamarra Love, to Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy's production of "The Hush Sound" with Shawn O'Keefe. Earl wrote and produced 3 songs for Katt William's ‘American Hustle'.  His hit song "Yakalelo" with French sensation "Nomads" earned a Diamond Record for it's success throughout Central Europe and North Africa. EARL'S BIG FAT FIVE -Album - Back In Black Artist - ACDC Release Year - 1980 Key Track(s) - Back In Black Drummer - Phill Rudd - Album - Time Out Artist - Dave Brubeck Release Year - 1952 Key Track(s) - Pick Up Sticks Drummer - Joe Morello - Album - Moving Pictures Artist - Rush Release Year - 1981 Key Track(s) - YYZ Drummer - Neil Peart - Album - Glass Menagerie Artist - Billy Cobham Release Year - 1982 Key Track(s) - Observations and Reflections Drummer - Billy Cobham - Album - My Favorite Things Artist - John Coltrane Release Year - 1961 Key Track(s) - My Favorite Things Drummer - Elvin Jones HONORABLE MENTIONS - Album - Regatta de Blanc Artist - The Police  Release Year - 1979 Key Track(s) - Walking on the Moon Drummer - Stuart Copeland  - Album - Romantic Warrior Artist - Return to Forever  Release Year - 1976 Key Track(s) - Medieval Overture  Drummer - Lenny White - Album - Van Halen Artist - Van Halen Release Year - 1978 Key Track(s) - Runnin with the Devil Drummer - Alex Van Halen  - Album - By All Means Necessary Artist - KRS One and Boogie Down Productions Release Year - 1988 Key Track(s) - I'm Still #1 Drummer - (Sample, All the People- Cramp Your Style) - Album - Let's Dance Artist - David Bowie Release Year - 1983 Key Track(s) - Modern Love Drummer - Omar Hakim  - Album - The Game Artist - Queen Release Year - 1980 Key Track(s) - Another One Bites the Dust Drummer - Roger Taylor -  Album - Nightclubbing Artist - Grace Jones Release Year - 1981 Key Track(s) - Pull Up to the Bumper Drummer - Sly Dunbar For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Kalena Bovell, a candidate for Salisbury Symphony Music Director, will lead the orchestra in a program called "Musical Inspirations." Bovell made her professional debut as the Chicago Sinfonietta's Assistant Conductor in 2015 and has led performances at the BBC Proms and the Kennedy Center. She also recently had her opera debut at Volcano Theatre where she led a reimagined production of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha making her the first black woman to conduct opera in Canada. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, Bovell talks about discovering her love of conducting and about becoming a poet. Learn more about Salisbury Symphony's Musical Inspirations Pictured: Kalena Bovell by Jamie Pratt Photos.

On this episode of NCTV17's Spotlight, host Jane Wernette is joined by representatives from 3 local nonprofits: 1. Blake-Anthony Johnson of the Chicago Sinfonietta 2. Megan Pennington from CASA of River Valley 3. Ron Wentzell and Richelle Villanuevawill of the Three Fires Council, BSA https://www.nctv17.org/c/spotlight/

Blake-Anthony Johnson, CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, talks with host Amy Guth about his work reimagining live music experiences, equity in classical music spaces, giving Chicago its creative and historical due, and more. Plus: Economy chills investments in EVs and mobility, Amazon cited by OSHA for failing to record warehouse injuries, landmark apartments in Edgewater sell in $46 million deal and Cresco Labs joins effort to spark cannabis innovation at 1871 Chicago.

On this episode of NCTV17's Spotlight, host Jane Wernette is joined by: 1. Blake-Anthony Johnson from the Chicago Sinfonietta 2. Mike Bertrand and Scot Thurman from 360 Lutheran Child and Family Services 3. Tammy Cetina and Keisha Akins from CASA DuPage Naperville Community Television broadcasts on Channel 17 in Naperville, IL (Comcast & WOW!) and all our programming is available via simulcast and video on-demand at https://www.nctv17.com/ For daily local news sent to your inbox, subscribe to NCTV17 News Update: https://www.nctv17.com/subscribe/ Follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/NCTV17/ https://twitter.com/NCTV17 https://www.instagram.com/nctv17/

Jade Simmons is the fabulous guest we have today on this episode of dHarmic Evolution, this is going to be so inspiring! She is a creator of transformational experiences designed to activate audiences into becoming the biggest, boldest version of themselves possible. Ladies and gentleman, you better strap up your seatbelts because we're taking a ride today with Jade Simmons!   Jade Simmons is a world-class concert artist who has been called a “musical force of nature” (Yamaha Music) with an “uncanny ability to connect with the sounds of today” (Seattle Times). Jade is the CEO of Jade Media Global, a revolutionary live experience and global content distribution company specializing in 360º personal development and strategic transformation.   During her early career after graduating from Northwestern and Rice Universities, she performed in recital and with orchestra as a classical pianist in renowned halls, including the hallowed ones of the White House and the US Supreme Court. Following an artistic epiphany, she pivoted from playing the piano to impress audiences, to using music as the vehicle by which to provide the inspiration, entertainment, and transformation that profoundly moves them instead.   Nicknamed “Classical Music's #1 Maverick,” her electrifying, genre-bending concert adventures span Rachmaninoff all the way to rap and include virtuoso storytelling, uncommon insights, and boundless inspiration. Today, Jade's experiences not only delight concert audiences, but her dazzling, high-impact presentations are fast becoming the go-to fuel for organizations looking to reconnect their people to greater purpose, inspire seismic shifts in mindset, and activate their teams and leaders to instantly start living more consequential lives of impact.   Recently named one of the Best Keynote Speakers of 2019 and 2020, Jade's impact spans a multitude of industries and transcends audience demographics. The world's superlative brands and organizations from financial services, biotech, entertainment, education, energy and beyond are bringing Jade in. The born storyteller is also a stellar mindset strategist fluent in the language of high achievers .   In her inimitable career as a concert pianist, Jade has remained committed to expanding the boundaries of Classical music and its presentation, and as a result she has revolutionized the concert platform. Today, her notably diverse audiences have come to expect creative projects backed by riveting performances.   Ms. Simmons has toured the US extensively in recital and with orchestra, highlighted by performances at venues as wide-ranging as Ravinia, the Chicago Sinfonietta in Symphony Hall, New York's Town Hall, Detroit Institute of Arts, and the White House. She has been named one of the Best of South By Southwest and has also received the Sphinx Organization's Medal of Excellence in a concert held at the US Supreme Court and hosted by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.   Often the first, the founder, or at the forefront, Jade was the first New Music/New Places fellow for the prestigious Concert Artist Guild, and she was the original face of the legendary Van Cliburn International Piano competition's webcast. She's also the beloved voice of Decomposed, the critically-acclaimed American Public Media podcast that turned classic music storytelling on its head. The show has been heralded in Time, Esquire, Indie Wire, and BBC America .   Simmons continues to make an unexpected impact on and away from the stage. As an ordained minister and author, she challenges us to pray bigger with the best-selling Audacious Prayers for World Changers. An equal-opportunity disrupter, in 2020, the Maverick made her boldest leap yet as founder of Operation Restoration, which powered her run as an Independent candidate for President of the United States. Her platforms prioritize people and unifying policies over politics as usual.   Let's give Jade Simmons a warm dHarmic evolution welcome, as we learn more about her audacious journey from being pianist to her run for the Presidency. Her life stories, her music, her words of wisdom will truly move you, and you definitely should share this with your friends and family as well. Let this be an inspiration of what greater things everyone can achieve!   More about Jade Simmons Check out more of her inspiring stories and experience Jade Simmons! Check out all the links below for her social media pages and website to get to know more about her and what she does. Quotes: 03:59 “It's not an easy path to pick. But that's the wonder of childhood – is you don't know any better. And my parents, I'm still blessed to have them both, and the way that they've raised me and my sister has been that we really do believe we can do anything that we put our mind to.” 13:21 “I started very early, being able to combine my love of other things outside of music, with music and with speaking and that sort of started helping me really differentiate from other concert artists.”   34:58 “As a musician, you hope for the standing O. So, to me, I didn't know it was a big deal to get the standing O, until it started showing up in the first speaker we've ever had that had a standing ovation. So then I started, “Why are people really standing up?” And my goal has become, “I don't want you to stand up just because you thought what I just did was awesome.” That's one level of standing ovation. The deepest level of standing O for me is when people stand up because they feel awesome. Something in them has activated, has switched on.”   38:46 “You're never not a minister. You're just never not and, I am literally an ordained minister, my Christian faith is extremely important to me, it is 90% of who I am, as a person and forms everything, it's my compass.”   55:50 “Your purpose is not the thing you do, your purpose is what happens in others when you do what you do.” And then I realized the piano was only one vehicle in which I got to ride out my purpose. What purpose was – was what was happening in that audience, the fact that they were seeing the creative side of themselves are feeling activated to go after something – that was purpose. And I realized, “Oh, my purpose personally, Jade's purpose, is to activate people into becoming a bigger, bolder version themselves, the one that I believe God created them to be. “   Timestamps:   01:12 Introducing Jade Simmons 03:15 How did being a concert pianist come into Jade's world? 04:53 Jade tells about how blessed she is with her parents. 08:20 When was the first time Jade told herself that she's going to be on stages? 11:51 Jade shares how it all worked out for her on choosing her market and where she fits in. 13:32 The genesis of Jade's discovery of how she can combine music and the other things she loves. 18:19Listen to “The Flight” by Jade Simmons 23:07 How Jade created “The Flight” with different remixes. 24:51 How does Jade Simmons balance practice with all the other things she does? 25:52 The story behind how Jade started and went about doing  motivational speaking? 31:42 Does Jade Simmons get to choose her own piano? What's her instrument of choice? 32:53 How did Jade pitch her first engagements and how is she doing it now that she has a team? 38:30 Jade shares about how she plugs in the ministry in the realm of everything she is doing. 43:05 All about Jade Simmons best-selling book, “Audacious Prayers for World Changers.” 47:55 Jade's records and how was her experience running for the Presidency in 2020. 54:28 A wisdom to share for the up and coming musicians, singer, songwriters from Jade Simmons 1:00:25 Listen to “Ride On” by James Kevin O'Connor   Spotify Playlist:   Don't forget to check out our dHarmic Rising Stars Spotify playlists. See if your music is on there! We are already on our 4th playlist, and we've got over 100 artists who will amaze you with their great talents. Simply click on these links and share it with your friends, family or other artists as well! Let's altogether support these great alumni of the dHarmic Evolution Podcast.   dHarmic Rising Stars: Aquila https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4loDaYF0OuWRjZeMXvEjK4   dHarmic Rising Stars: Orion https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5CnL9tl0xbU4oDh6jtJBZx   dHarmic Rising Stars: Lyra https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ov0OqNMJmPhHrxZjsXthS   dHarmic Rising Stars: Scorpius https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5oQ4Sc4LAJSexsDgDcixt8   dHarmic Evolution links:   Overcast, Stitcher Radio, Spotify, and Apple podcasts – these are the four highlighted platforms on the website, have you signed up to your favorite platform yet? If not, you can choose from 23 podcast platforms! Just check out dharmicevolution.com and see the options that we have which are available worldwide.  This will make it easy for you to get the show every Friday morning at 4:44am. Let us know what you think as well by leaving a comment!   Do you know someone who is suffering from anxiety and depression? Please send them to https://tinyurl.com/25a994tw      Keep up-to-date with what's going on with dHarmic evolution, check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dharmicevolution Also, if you are an artist, an author, or a keynote speaker, who is trying to find a safe place to post your content, you can check out the Facebook community and let the world support you! Check out this link: dHarmic Evolution Community.  Special Links and Mentions: John Lennon Alexander Scriabin Wassily Kandinsky Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Franz Liszt Michael Jackson Clara Schumann Donald Trump Joe Biden   Connect with Jade Simmons Website: https://jadesimmons.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JadeMedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialjadesimmons/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/newmuseic Twitter: https://twitter.com/jadesimmons LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-simmons-pianistceo/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3frzsw7zkolhBmESDRkgDH SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/stalkingsuperwoman ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/jadesimmons Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jade-simmons/308015554      

In this episode, Liz and Steph talk with Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of the ever-progressive, MacArthur award-winning, Chicago Sinfonietta. Ms Chen is known not only for her energetic style on the podium, but for being a champion for the mission of the Sinfonietta - diversity, equity and inclusion - on the stage, in their organization and in their programming. Liz and Steph had the joy of connecting with Mei-Ann over our common struggle as artists and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in music and in life. Listen in on this rare and beautiful dialogue between two orchestral musicians and a world-renowned conductor: the authentic and utterly delightful Mei-Ann Chen!Follow us on FB and IG for a special bonus story from this episode!*Mentioned in this episode:Chicago Sinfonietta's “Project W”: https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/projectw/Chicago Sinfonietta's Artist-in-Residence, Kathryn Bostic:https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/artist-in-residence/*Mucca Pazza in concert with the CS:Battle of the Bands: Mucca Pazza x Chicago Sinfonietta FinaleSupport the show (https://paypal.me/violacentric)

Reena Esmail joins us to chat about integrating her Western and Hindustani roots in her composition and throughout her work as artistic director of Shastra. We chat about how she prepares listeners with less experience for musical experiences that are new to them. She speaks about her work as composer-in-residence of Street Symphony, a non-profit organization bringing music to Los Angeles-based homeless and incarcerated populations on Skid Row and beyond. And, we talk about her methods for introducing Western musicians to primarily aural traditions. Indian-American composer Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music, and brings communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces. Esmail's work has been commissioned by ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Kronos Quartet, Imani Winds, Richmond Symphony, Town Music Seattle, Albany Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Girls Chorus, The Elora Festival, Juilliard415, and Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Upcoming seasons include new work for Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Amherst College Choir and Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and Conspirare. Esmail is the Los Angeles Master Chorale's 2020-2023 Swan Family Artist in Residence, and Seattle Symphony's 2020-21 Composer-in-Residence. Previously, she was named a 2019 United States Artist Fellow in Music, and the 2019 Grand Prize Winner of the S & R Foundation's Washington Award. Esmail was also a 2017-18 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow. She was the 2012 Walter Hinrichsen Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (and subsequent publication of a work by C.F. Peters). Esmail holds degrees in composition from The Juilliard School (BM'05) and the Yale School of Music (MM'11, MMA'14, DMA'18). Her primary teachers have included Susan Botti, Aaron Jay Kernis, Christopher Theofanidis and Martin Bresnick, Christopher Rouse and Samuel Adler. She received a Fulbright-Nehru grant to study Hindustani music in India. Her Hindustani music teachers include Srimati Lakshmi Shankar and Gaurav Mazundar, and she currently studies and collaborates with Saili Oak. Her doctoral thesis, entitled Finding Common Ground: Uniting Practices in Hindustani and Western Art Musicians explores the methods and challenges of the collaborative process between Hindustani musicians and Western composers. Esmail was Composer-in-Residence for Street Symphony (2016-18) and is currently an Artistic Director of Shastra, a non-profit organization that promotes cross-cultural music connecting music traditions of India and the West. The transcript for this episode can be found here. For more information about Reena Esmail, please visit her website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Listeners, we're back this week with Eduardo Vilaro.Eduardo Vilaro is the Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico (BH). He was named BH's Artistic Director in 2009, becoming only the second person to head the company since its founding in 1970, and in 2015 was also named Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Vilaro has infused Ballet Hispánico's legacy with a bold brand of contemporary dance that reflects America's changing cultural landscape.Mr. Vilaro's philosophy of dance stems from a basic belief in the power of the arts to change lives, reflect and impact culture, and strengthen community. He considers dance to be a liberating, non-verbal language through which students, dancers and audiences of all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, can initiate ongoing conversations about the arts, expression, identity and the meaning of community.Born in Cuba and raised in New York from the age of six, Mr. Vilaro's own choreography is devoted to capturing the Latin American experience in its totality and diversity, and through its intersectionality with other diasporas. His works are catalysts for new dialogues about what it means to be an American. He has created more than 40 ballets with commissions that include the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Festival, the Lexington Ballet and the Chicago Symphony.A Ballet Hispánico dancer and educator from 1988 to 1996, he left New York, earned a master's in interdisciplinary arts at Columbia College Chicago and then embarked on his own act of advocacy with a ten-year record of achievement as Founder and Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago.The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Mr. Vilaro received the Ruth Page Award for choreography in 2001; was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2016; and was awarded HOMBRE Magazine's 2017 Arts & Culture Trailblazer of the Year. In 2019, he received the West Side Spirit's WESTY Award, was honored by WNET for his contributions to the arts and was the recipient of the James W. Dodge Foreign Language Advocate Award. In August 2020, City & State Magazine included Mr. Vilaro in the inaugural Power of Diversity: Latin 100 list. In January 2021, Mr. Vilaro was recognized with a Compassionate Leaders Award, given to leaders who are courageous, contemplative, collaborative, and care about the world they will leave behind. He is a well-respected speaker on such topics as diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts, as well as on the merits of the intersectionality of cultures and the importance of nurturing and building Latinx leaders. During our conversation, we talked about:Coming from Cuba as a 5 year oldGrowing up in the BronxFiguring out he wanted to be a performerFocusing on his ultimate goal despite the opportunities that presented themselvesThe power of danceMachismoAnd so much more! This  episode is brought to you by JustGYVGYV is about more than just giving, it is more than a verb, more than an acronym.|The sophistication and strength of the Mesoamerican culture are infused into every luxurious fragrance and personal care product designed by GYV Mesoamerican Beauty. JustGYV's mission is to celebrate the rich history of the land, spanning from Central America to Mexico, by showcasing the voices, scents, flavors, and places of this historic region. Mesoamerica is the cradle of civilization in the Americas, and the rich culture continues to flourish in the 21st century. The deeply rooted knowledge of the ingredients that define Mesoamerica has flourished for centuries, and GYV is here to share that beautiful story with the rest of the world through our diverse line of proprietary formulas. Relevant Timestamps:06:55 - New York in the 60s and 70s09:08 - Going to catholic school10:33 - Assimilation12:49 - Machismo14:03 - The importance of building a platform for young people19:37 - Bullying26:45 - Studying dance and starting his career28:33 - The 'superhero power' of being an immigrant31:40 - Being quieted32:35 - A message to younger generations36:54 - Finding family at Ballet Hispanico43:42 - Being the artistic director and CEO at the same time Follow Eduardo on all things social:WebsiteFacebookTwitterVimeoYouTubeInstagram Follow Cafe con Pam on all things socialInstagramFacebookhttp://cafeconpam.com/Join the FREE Cafe con Pam ChallengeIf you are a business owner, join us for Aligned MastermindLearn about PowerSistersSubscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with someone you love!And don't ever forget to Stay Shining!

In this episode I interview Rockstar Concert Pianist, Activational Speaker, & CEO of Jade Media Global. Jade Simmons is a creator of transformational experiences designed to activate audiences into becoming the biggest, boldest version of themselves possible. The world-class concert artist has been called a “musical force of nature” with an “uncanny ability to connect with the sounds of today.” Jade is the CEO of Jade Media Global, a revolutionary live experience and global content distribution company specializing in 360º personal development and strategic transformation. Following an artistic epiphany, she pivoted from playing the piano to impress audiences, to using music as the vehicle by which to provide the inspiration, entertainment, and transformation that profoundly moves them instead. Nicknamed “Classical Music's #1 Maverick,” her electrifying, genre-bending concert adventures span Rachmaninoff all the way to rap and include virtuoso storytelling, uncommon insights, and boundless inspiration. Today, Jade's experiences not only delight concert audiences, but her dazzling, high impact presentations are fast becoming the go-to fuel for the world's superlative brands and organizations from financial services, biotech, entertainment, education, energy and beyond. In her inimitable career as a concert pianist, Jade has remained committed to expanding the boundaries of Classical music. Simmons has toured the US extensively in recital and with orchestra highlighted by performances at venues as wide-ranging as Ravinia, the Chicago Sinfonietta in Symphony Hall, New York's Town Hall, Detroit Institute of Arts, and the halls of the White House. She has been named one of the Best of South By Southwest and has also received the Sphinx Organization's Medal of Excellence in a concert held at the US Supreme Court. Simmons is also the author of the best- selling Audacious Prayers for World Changers. As an equal opportunity disrupter, in 2020, the Maverick made her boldest leap yet as founder of Operation Restoration, which powered her run as an Independent candidate for President of the United States. Her platforms prioritize people and unifying policies over politics as usual. Learn more about her audacious journey from pianist to the Presidency at www.jadesimmons.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Rafael Rivera is a world-class award-winning film composer and guitarist, who just recently scored and was EMMY-nominated for the incredible Netflix Series, The Queen's Gambit! His music has been acclaimed by the Miami Herald, the San Francisco Examiner, and the LA Times, helping establish him as a composer with the unique ability of incorporating a large diversity of musical influences into his captivating compositions, which reflect his multi-cultural upbringing in Central America and the United States. He has recorded studio sessions for Island/Def Jam, and Universal Records; and had songs featured on NETFLIX' FIREFLY LANE, ABC's SCRUBS, MTV, and VH-1. His work for the performing arts has been featured by some of the most prominent ensembles and soloists, including Arturo Sandoval, Colin Currie, Chanticleer, Cavatina Duo, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet; commissioned by the Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony and the American Wind Symphony; recorded by Varêse-Sarabande, BMG, Warner, Sony, Naxos, and Cedille labels; and awarded by the Herb Alpert Foundation, the Guitar Foundation of America, BMI, and twice by ASCAP. He has served as Composer-in-Residence with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and was a musical consultant for “Invitation to World Literature,” an educational series funded by the Annenberg Foundation and produced by WGBH. He is a voting member of the Television Academy (EMMY's), the Recording Academy (GRAMMY's), the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), and is a sought out guest composer and lecturer throughout the globe.https://carlosrafaelrivera.com/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2292589/https://www.instagram.com/composer313/?hl=en@thecareermusician@nomadsplace

Carlos Rafael Rivera is a world-class award-winning film composer and guitarist, who just recently scored and was EMMY-nominated for the incredible Netflix Series, The Queen's Gambit! His music has been acclaimed by the Miami Herald, the San Francisco Examiner, and the LA Times, helping establish him as a composer with the unique ability of incorporating a large diversity of musical influences into his captivating compositions, which reflect his multi-cultural upbringing in Central America and the United States. He has recorded studio sessions for Island/Def Jam, and Universal Records; and had songs featured on NETFLIX' FIREFLY LANE, ABC's SCRUBS, MTV, and VH-1. His work for the performing arts has been featured by some of the most prominent ensembles and soloists, including Arturo Sandoval, Colin Currie, Chanticleer, Cavatina Duo, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet; commissioned by the Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony and the American Wind Symphony; recorded by Varêse-Sarabande, BMG, Warner, Sony, Naxos, and Cedille labels; and awarded by the Herb Alpert Foundation, the Guitar Foundation of America, BMI, and twice by ASCAP. He has served as Composer-in-Residence with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and was a musical consultant for “Invitation to World Literature,” an educational series funded by the Annenberg Foundation and produced by WGBH. He is a voting member of the Television Academy (EMMY's), the Recording Academy (GRAMMY's), the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), and is a sought out guest composer and lecturer throughout the globe. https://carlosrafaelrivera.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2292589/ https://www.instagram.com/composer313/?hl=en @thecareermusician @nomadsplace

Fareed Haque is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar and different musical styles inspire his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation.Since 2011, Haque has returned to his first loves, jazz guitar and classical guitar. He has been busy performing and recording with his trio featuring legendary B3 virtuoso Tony Monaco, his own trio and jazz quartet, as well as his larger world music group the Flat Earth Ensemble.Recent releases include the critically acclaimed Out of Nowhere featuring drummer Billy Hart and bassist George Mraz, The Flat Earth Ensemble's latest release Trance Hypothesis, and The Tony Monaco/Fareed Haque release Furry Slippers that reached the top 10 in Jazz Radio Airplay.IN addition, Fareed has performed at the Chicago, Detroit, and Java Jazz festivals and was featured as part of the Made in Chicago Series performing with his numerous groups at Millenium Park's Pritzker Pavillion in Chicago. He also performed and arranged numerous classical programs as 2013 artist-in-residence for The Chicago Latin Music Festival, was featured on WBEZ, as well as WFMT's Fiesta! radio programs, and has recorded his arrangement of Piazzolla's 5 Tango Sensations, El Alevin by Eduardo Angulo Leo Brouwer's Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet with the critically acclaimed Kaia String Quartet. Haque continues to tour and record extensively along with documenting his unique teaching methods in a series of best selling interactive video courses through TrueFire.IN 2016, Haque was invited to perform at the Indianapolis Jazz Festival Tribute to Wes Montgomery along with Peter Bernstein, Bobby Broom, Henry Johnson, Will Mathews, Russell Malone, Pat Martino, and Dave Stryker. He was also a visiting scholar at Western Michigan University. Recent projects include artistic directorship of numerous jazz festivals, performances with Tony Monaco, Paquito D'Rivera, Vijay Iyer, pundit Vikku Vinacrayam, long-anticipated reunion concerts with Garaj Mahal, concerts in India, a return to Java Jazz, and concerts and teaching in China. In 2017, Mr. Haque released The Bridge with virtuoso Chilean bassist Christian Galvez and renowned Indian percussionist Selva Ganesh. Haque has also rekindled his duo with Goran Ivanovic. Performances include Canadian Guitar Festival, Winters Jazz Fest NYC, Lotus Music Fest, and many others. Upcoming tours in China and Europe are slated for 2018. Haque has joined drum legend Billy Cobham as a member of his Crosswinds Ensemble featuring Haque on guitars, Randy Brecker on Trumpet, and Paul Hansen on sax and bassoon. Extensive touring and recording are slated for 2019. Haque's most recent release NEW LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC FOR GUITAR AND STRING QUARTET was picked by Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune as one of the top releases of 2018. In addition, the release was chosen as Downbeat Magazine Editor's Pick in 2018. 2019 portends to be a busy year, as Haque has retired from 30 years at Northern Illinois University to accommodate extended tours with Cobham, Goran Ivanovic, and his own groups. Highlights to include The Montreux Jazz Festival with Cobham, and appearances with his own groups at The Bluenote Beijing, Louisville, and Minneapolis Guitar Festivals among others. New recordings with his own group and with Goran Ivanovic are scheduled for 2019, under the legendary Delmark Label.Born in 1963 to a Pakistani father and Chilean mother, Fareed's extensive travels and especially long stays in Spain, France, Iran, Pakistan, and Chile exposed Haque to different kinds of music from a very early age. While this natural eclecticism has become a hallmark of Haque's music, it was repeated visits to Von Freeman's Chicago jam sessions that gave Haque a grounding in the Chicago blues and jazz traditions. The 1981 recipient of North Texas State University's Jazz Guitar Scholarship, Haque spent a year studying with renowned jazz guitarist and pedagogue Jack Peterson. Fareed's growing interest in the classical guitar led him to transfer to Northwestern University, where he completed his studies in classical guitar under David Buch, John Holmquist, and Anne Waller.Soon after his transfer to NU, Haque came to the attention of multi-instrumentalist Howard Levy and joined his latin-fusion group Chevere. Thru Levy, Haque was introduced to Paquito D'Rivera and began a long and fruitful relationship with the Cuban NEA Jazz Master. Numerous world tours and recordings including Manhattan Burn, Celebration, Havana Cafe, Tico Tico, Live at the MCG were to follow. Especially notable is the classic and award winning Reunion featuring Haque along with Arturo Sandoval, Danilo Perez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mark Walker, and David Fink.Thru D'Rivera, Haque was brought to the attention of Sting, who had just begun his record label Pangaea. Sting invited Haque to join the label and he released 2 critically acclaimed recordings, Voices Rising and Manresa. Haque toured briefly with Sting, including notable appearances at The Montreux Jazz Festival, as well as NBC's Michelob Presents Sunday Night with David Sanborn, but his own career demands led Haque in other directions.Haque has been featured on WTTW's ArtBeat and Chicago Tonight, Ben Sidran's New Visions, Michelob Presents Sunday Night with David Sanborn on NBC, his own Lonesome Pines special for PBS, and on BET cable jazz channel. Fareed has twice been selected as Talent Deserving Wider Recognition in Downbeat Magazine. In 1989, Haque also joined the faculty at Northern Illinois University as professor of jazz and classical guitar. He continues to teach at NIU to this day.After a short stint at Warner Bros. recording Majestad (unreleased and featuring John Patitucci, Michael Landau, Russel Ferrante, Grazinha, Lenny Castro, and Carlos Vega!), Bruce Lundvall signed Haque to the legendary Bluenote Records. While at Bluenote, Haque recorded three albums as a leader: Sacred Addiction, Opaque, and Déjà vu. Haque toured and recorded extensively with other artists, including tours and 3 CDs with Javon Jackson: A Look within, For One Who Knows, and Good People. In addition, sideman credits include tours and recordings with Joe Henderson, Herbie Mann, Bob James, Richie Cole, Joey Calderazzo, Kahil El Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, and numerous Bluenote recordings for producer/arranger Bob Belden alongside Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Joe Lovano, Paul Motian, and many others. Numerous classical recitals, as well as appearances with the Vermeer Quartet and many symphonies across the US and abroad, added to an incredible diversity of performances during this period.Thru Belden, Haque was invited to join forces with Joe Zawinul as part of his Zawinul Syndicate. The group proved to be one of Joe's best and most eclectic. Included were percussionist and vocalist Arto Tuncboyacian, drummer Paco Sery, bassist Mathew Garrison, along with Haque on Guitar and Electric Guitar. A year of extensive touring brought Haque closer to his Jazz/Rock roots.In 2001, Haque's interest in jam bands and the jam scene led him to co-found the jam super-group Garaj Mahal featuring Kai Eckhardt, Eric Levy, and Alan Hertz. This began 10 years of extensive touring across the US, performing in excess of 200 shows per year. Haque also joined George Brooks' group Summit, featuring Zakir Hussain and Steve Smith. Haque was voted ‘Most Valuable Player' at the 2002 High Sierra Music Festival. Haque and Garaj Mahal released 3 Live CDs as well as 5 studio CDs: Mondo Garaj, Blueberry Cave, w00t, More Mr. Nice Guy, and Discovery, which featured Haque's debut of the Moog Guitar.In 2004, Fareed premiered his Lahara Double Concerto for Sitar/Guitar and Tabla with The Chicago Sinfonietta at Symphony Center in Chicago, under the baton of maestro Paul Freeman, featuring tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain, to whom the work is dedicated.In 2006, Fareed was commissioned to compose a classical guitar concerto for the Fulcrum Point Ensemble. His Gamelan Concertowas premiered in May of '06 at The Harris theatre in Millenium Park.In 2007, Garaj Mahal won an Independent Music Award.In 2009 Haque was voted ‘Best World Guitarist' by Guitar Player Magazine's Readers' poll. His acclaimed 2009 release Flat Planetwas twice #1 on the World Jazz Radio charts.After 10 years of over 2000 dates with Garaj Mahal, Haque's interest in electronic music and the Moog Guitar spurred him to leave Garaj Mahal and form Fareed Haque's MathGames, featuring bassist Alex Austin and drummer Greg Fundis.Notable events during this time include Haque performing and assistant directing the first Jazz Festival en la Patagonia in Frutillar, Chile under his mentor and friend Paquito D'Rivera, and appearances with his own groups at Java Jazz, The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Twents Guitar Festival, The Indy Jazz Fest, Coleman Hawkins Jazz Fest, Jazz in June, The Lafayette and South Bend Jazz Festivals, Sophia Jazz Fest, Bulgaria and many others around the world. Haque also performed at both the Aranjuez and Villa-Lobos guitar concertos (in one concert!) with The Chicago Philharmonic, under the baton of Lucia Matos at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

“ZENPod” Season-3, episode 8, featuring Shri Gaurav Mazumdar, a Grammy nominated musician, Renowned Sitar player, A Teacher, Collaborator, Composer, Music conductor and an Educator. A Music composer for the Ballet “Siddhartha” based on the book by Nobel laureate, Herman Hesse. “Spirituality is a ‘State of Mind'; Feeling or having a certain calm within you, feeling of sublime, feeling pure, feeling beautiful, feeling harmony, feeling everything is in sync with each other, feeling that everything in this world happens, not without a divine intervention, and we are all connected and part of that BIG plan!, and that we all co-exist, relate and belong to each other!”.- says Shri Gaurav Mazumdar in his conversation with Venkatesh Mahadevan A Grammy Nominated musician, Gaurav Mazumdar is born to the illustrious Mazumdar family of Allahabad reaching the zenith of his music education with the legendary Pt. Ravi Shankar. His initial Gurus were his father Dulal Mazumdar, Pt. Nandakishore Vishwakarma, cousins Kamala Bose and Jayashree Roy and Uncle J.D. Mazumdar. An approved artiste of All India Radio and National Television and an empanelled artiste of ICCR (Ministry of External Affairs) for over 2 ó decades, Gaurav as a performer has appeared at premier festivals and venues across the globe, spanning the expanse of Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and America. This includes Scottish Symphony for BBC 2019, The Chicago Symphony Hall 1997 & 2018, Royal Albert Hall 2002, 2012 & 2017, Belt & Road Festival, China 2017, Kennedy Centre 2007, Bath Festival 2006, Menuhin Festival-Gstaad 2006, Acropolis for Greece Olympics 2004, Netaji Indoor Stadium 2004, Perth Festival 2004, Kijani Festival Kenya 2004, Music Academy Chennai 2000, Vatican 1999 and Tata Theatre Mumbai 1999 amongst others. His performances include appearances with Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Philip Glass, The Royal Philharmonic, Britten Sinfonia, Shenzhen Symphony, Slovak Philharmonic, English Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Scottish Symphony Orchestra and others. As a composer, Gaurav has composed music for the Ballet ‘Siddhartha' – based on the book by Nobel Laureate Hermann Hesse, Ballet ‘Ritu Shringar', ‘Woman Baring'. Gaurav has also composed music for the Film ‘Shwet' and was, for a decade, the National Conductor for Britain's Youth Orchestra, ‘SAMYO'. Gaurav's albums include, ‘Echoes from India', ‘In Search of Peace', 'Neemrana', 'Soul Strings', 'Grammy nominated' - 'East Meets West', ‘Orion'(recorded live at the historic concert in the Acropolis in Greece to commemorate the 2004 Olympics), ‘Gaurav Mazumdar', 'Offerings', ‘Strings in Harmony', ‘Walking Together', ‘Shambala' (a historic sitaar/violin double concerto), 'Colours from the Rainbow' (a composition for western orchestra), ‘Hesse', ‘Afternoon Serenade' and ‘Shringaar'. As a teacher and collaborator, Gaurav has extended his knowledge to pupils all across the globe teaching, conducting residencies and lectures in Universities and for other instituitions. Today, Gaurav as a performer, composer, conductor and educator, has earned a unique place as a foremost musician of his generation contributing towards making Music accessible and truly Global, both in appreciation and in understanding. www.gauravmazumdar.com “ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life's pursuit.

 Today we're talking with Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta, about enhancing your rehearsals with Rehearsal Language, how she led the orchestra to win a MacArthur Award for their Theatrical and Diverse Programming, and how her Project Inclusion Conducting Fellows learn and prepare for a professional conducting career. This interview was originally recorded for the PT100 Livestream Extravaganza to raise money for the Conducting Fellowship through Chicago Sinfonietta. This is the full interview, including over 30 minutes that were cut from the livestream presentation. Please support Project Inclusion and learn more at https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/education/project-inclusion. Today we discuss:Chicago Sinfonietta and the Project Inclusion Program (6:15)Who should apply to the Conducting Fellowship and what Mei-Ann is looking for in a conducting applicant (15:50)Rehearsal Language and Auditioning with confidence for Professional Orchestra (21:12)The most important lessons that Mei-Ann learned from her teachers, including Frank Battisti, Marin Alsop, Donald Runnicles, and Robert Spano (41:17)How Chicago Sinfonietta won a MacArthur Award for their theatrical and diverse programming (49:04)Project W and Mei-Ann’s Hidden Gem composers (55:36)Final Advice (1:08:50) Check out everything that Chicago Sinfonietta has to offer, including Project Inclusion, their virtual Membership, and their recordings for Project W on Spotify. Find this and all other episodes at PodiumTimePod.com. Subscribe and download Podium Time on your favorite podcast player and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @PodiumTimePod. You can also join our Facebook Group, the Podium Time Inner Circle to ask questions and continue the conversation after every episode. Want to send us an email? Use the contact page on our website! If you’d like to support the podcast monetarily and get bonus content, consider joining our Patreon community at Patreon.com/PodiumTimePod. If you’re in the market for a new baton, use our promo code “PodiumTime” at Pagubatons.com for 20% off your first order. Support the show (https://patreon.com/podiumtimepod)

Welcome to the Podium Time Episode 100 Extravaganza! This episode was originally streamed through our Facebook page on February 20th to celebrate our 100th episode and to raise money for the Project Inclusion Freeman Conducting Fellowship through Chicago Sinfonietta. This episode features live QnA with Jeremy, Luke, and of our most popular guests, some of our earliest conducting clips, the history of Podium Time, and messages from the Podium Time family.Please head to the Chicago Sinfonietta to make a donation in support of Project Inclusion:https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/donate/This week we discuss:Clips, QnA, Conducting Videos, and History (8:10)Live Sessions with past favorites:Thomas Taylor Dickey (59:11)Kevin Noe (1:18:28)Carolyn Watson (1:39:17)The Podium Time Blues (by Mark Mandarano) (1:56:48)Tito Muñoz (1:59:04)Brett Mitchell (2:19:06)Final QnA (2:41:09)Find this and all other episodes at PodiumTimePod.com. Subscribe and download Podium Time on your favorite podcast player and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @PodiumTimePod. You can also join our Facebook Group, the Podium Time Inner Circle to ask questions and continue the conversation after every episode. Want to send us an email? Use the contact page on our website! If you’d like to support the podcast monetarily and get bonus content, consider joining our Patreon community at Patreon.com/PodiumTimePod. If you’re in the market for a new baton, use our promo code “PodiumTime” at Pagubatons.com for 20% off your first order. Support the show (https://patreon.com/podiumtimepod)

Hello! I'm super excited to go live for Podium Time on Saturday, February 20th. This episode includes some details about the live-stream and the full schedule of live QnA with some of our favorite guests.We'll be celebrating our 100th episode and raising money for the Project Inclusion Conducting Fellowship through Chicago Sinfonietta.Saturday, February 20thGreetings, Messages from our Guests, Embarrassing Videos - 1:00 p.m. Eastern TimeLive QnA with past favorites - 2:00 p.m. Eastern TimeThomas Taylor Dickey (PT20) - 2:00 p.m.Kevin Noe (PT42) - 2:20 p.m.Carolyn Watson (PT22) - 2:40 p.m.Tito Muñoz (PT61, 62) - 3:00 p.m.and Brett Mitchell (PT23, 25) - 3:20 p.m.Premier of a New Interview with Mei-Ann Chen - 3:45 p.m. Eastern TimeClosing QnA with Jeremy and Luke - 4:15 p.m.Livestream will be on the event page, our Facebook group, and our Facebook Page.Follow this link to watch even if you're not logged in: https://facebook.com/podiumtimepod/liveDonate to Project Inclusion here.Support the show (https://patreon.com/podiumtimepod)

In this episode, soprano Gabriella Di Laccio, founder and curator of the project DONNE, Women in Music talked to the amazing Taiwanese-American conductor Mei-Ann Chen. Praised for her dynamic, passionate conducting style, Mei-Ann is acclaimed for infusing orchestras with energy, enthusiasm and high-level music-making. She is the Music Director of the MacArthur Award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta since 2011 and a guest conductor worldwide. . Mei-Ann is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in music and she shared so much of her personal experience, which was truly inspirational. . Mei-Ann Chen's website https://www.meiannchen.com/ . Chicago Sinfonietta http://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/ 

Clarice Assad is a highly acclaimed composer, pianist, singer and arranger renowned for her musical scope and versatility. A prolific Grammy nominated composer, Clarice Assad's numerous commissions include works for Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Orquestra Sinfônica de São Paulo, Chicago Sinfonietta, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Youth Orchestra, the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, Queen Reef Music Festival and the La Jolla Music Festival, to name a few. Her compositions have been recorded by some of the most prominent names in the classical music, including percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and oboist Liang Wang. In short, she's a badass and we're thrilled to chat with her and feature a sample of her wonderful music.

An interview with Chicago musician Paul Von Mertens, as well as the usual full throated ranting!  Paul Von Mertens is a Chicago-based composer/arranger and a performer on saxophone, flute, clarinet and harmonica. He has played and recorded with a variety of artists including Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Stereolab, The Sea and Cake, Poi Dog Pondering, Broken Social Scene, Wilco, and Mono. He has been a member of the Brian Wilson Band since 1999 and is currently musical director.Paul has written arrangements, orchestrations and performed for Brian Wilson's tour and Grammy-winning recording of "Smile," the Pet Sounds Tour, "Live In London," "Gettin' In Over My Head," "That Lucky Old Sun," "Wilson Reimagines Gershwin," "In The Key Of Disney," and "That's Why God Made the Radio" with Brian and The Beach Boys. Paul spent 2016 touring “Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary” worldwide, featuring performances with the Boston Pops. His arrangement of "Dvorak Re-mix Fantasy" was premiered at Orchestra Hall with Poi Dog Pondering and the Chicago Sinfonietta in 2005, and his "Carmen Remix" in 2007.Writing credits include music for Steppenwolf Theater, the Peabody Award-winning documentary "The Lost Children of Rockdale County" and "Merchants of Cool" for Frontline, and the long-running "Workplace Essential Skills" for PBS. Paul and his wife, Cynthia Von Orthal, have created original puppet musicals "Akuba's Dream," "The Yellow Wallpaper," "A White Heron" and "Tara's Story" for their own company, Von Orthal Puppets.

Jess Gillam meets composer Owain Park for a virtual lockdown listening party, with music including Prokofiev, Sam Cooke, Kabantu and JS Bach. Playlist: Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet Suite - Montagues and the Capulets (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti) Judith Bingham - The Drowned Lovers (Tenebrae, Martha McLorinan, Nigel Short) Sam Cooke - A Change is gonna come Copland: Appalachian Spring (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) Rebecca Clarke - Lullaby (Helen Callus - viola, Robert McDonald - piano) Kabantu – Ulidzile! Samuel Coleridge Taylor - Petite suite de concert; III. Un sonnet d’amour (Chicago Sinfonietta, Paul Freeman) JS Bach - St John Passion; Chorus: "Herr, Unser Herrscher" (Polyphony, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Stephen Layton)

Scott is a reformed Mortgage Banker, who is now a 20+ year veteran in the inclusion and diversity consulting space and the CEO of inQUEST Consulting. He, and his team, work some of the world's largest brands on their people strategies and as he says “helping adults to play nice.” He believes we need to challenge ourselves to do “D&I differently” and not rely on the same old solutions. Scott is also a civic leader. He is board chair for the Chicago Sinfonietta, the country's most diverse orchestra and board member for Disability:IN, one of the largest disability inclusion organizations.

Scott is a reformed Mortgage Banker, who is now a 20+ year veteran in the inclusion and diversity consulting space and the CEO of inQUEST Consulting. He, and his team, work some of the world's largest brands on their people strategies and as he says “helping adults to play nice.”  He believes we need to challenge ourselves to do “D&I differently” and not rely on the same old solutions.  Scott is also a civic leader.  He is board chair for the Chicago Sinfonietta, the country's most diverse orchestra and board member for Disability:IN, one of the largest disability inclusion organizations.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek visits a Chicago Sinfonietta rehearsal for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. concert. Gary talks to to the orchestra's assistant conductor Jonathan Rush about the special program. Later, Gary sits down with Chicago Magazine dining editor Amy Cavanaugh for a conversation about this year's Chicago Restaurant Week line-up. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, review Steppenwolf Theatre's new play DANCE NATION. And Gary revisits a story he did three years ago on Academy Award-winning composer Justin Hurwitz, as WDCB prepares for a special LaLa Land screening. All that, plus the weekly Arts Section calendar.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes a closer look at a new stained glass window exhibit at the Richard H. Driehaus Museum. Later in the show, Gary talks with 15-time Grammy winner and banjo master Bela Fleck about his illustrious career and the new music he'll be playing in Chicago next week. Gary will also sit down with long-time arts administrator Jim Hirsch for a wide-ranging conversation about his experiences leading the Old Town School of Folk Music and Chicago Sinfonietta. Chicago music writer Dennis Polkow recently interviewed Chicago Symphony Orchestra principle percussionist Cynthia Yeh about an upcoming program. And the Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, stop by to review the Chicago premiere of a play titled TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS.

Praised for her dynamic, passionate conducting style, Taiwanese-American conductor Mei-Ann Chen is acclaimed for infusing orchestras with energy, enthusiasm and high-level music-making, galvanizing audiences and communities alike. In our conversation we follow her musical evolution from shy violin player in her birth country, Taiwan, to dynamic, trailblazing, internationally sought-after conductor. Mei-Ann also shares the inspirational interaction with Martin Luther King that inspired the creation of the MacArthur Award-winning, Chicago Sinfonietta, the nations most diverse orchestra, of which she is the principle conductor and music director.   Here's a link to every Musical Mention in this episode: 0:19 Mei-Ann Chen 0:29 The World Music Foundation 1:33 Western Classical 1:34 Conducting 3:17 Violin 3:18 Piano 3:58 Melody 4:00 Thais Meditation: by Jules Massenet 4:25 Orchestra 5:39 Helen Quach (Guō Mei Jen) 7:07 Solfege 7:10 Note Sight Reading 8:21 National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra 9:56 Yo-Yo-Ma 11:08 Mozart 11:09 Brahmes 11:10 Beethoven 11:10 Tchaikovski 12:23 Taiwanese Folk 13:19 Minga 校園民歌 16:27 Pentatonic Scale 17:34 Impressionists 17:46 Claude Debussy 17:47 La Mer 18:02 Joseph Maurice Ravel 18:03 Mother Goose Suite 18:15 Giacomo Puccini 18:29 Mo Li Hua: The Jasmine Flower 18:33 Turandot 21:59 Vibrato 25:46 Antonin Dvorak 25:47 Symphony No. 9 in E minor (New World Symphony) 25:47 Carnegie Hall 26:15 Jazz 26:17 African Music 27:03 American Youth Orchestra 27:13 Benjamin Zander 27:44 Henryk Wieniawski 28:43 Music Score 28:44 Gustav Mahler 28:44 Mahler’s Symphony #5 29:19 Transposition 29:28 Soundcheck 29:40 Stand Partner 31:46 Notes 32:17 Music Teacher 32:28 Conductor 32:44 Assistant Conductor 32:49 Music Director 32:54 Guest Conductor 33:18 Memphis Symphony 33:28 Chicago Sinfonietta 33:41 Symphonic 34:35 Project W 34:55 Cidille Records 35:39 Project 19 36:34 Diwali Festival 37:04 Maestro Paul Freeman 37:55 Project Inclusion Freeman Fellowships 38:37 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 43:23 Concertino For Cell Phone And Orchestra 44:17 Conservatories 46:19 Pops 47:08 Beethoven’s “5th” 47:28 Felix Mendelssohn 47:28 The Hebrides Overture (aka Fingal’s Cave)” 50:51 Modest Mussorgsky 51:07 Jennifer Koh 51:13 Courtney Bryan 51:38 Maurice Ravel 53:29 Jennifer Higdon 53:34 Reena Esmail 53:34 Florence Price 54:04 Dora Pejacevic 58:19 Carmen 1:00:01 New York Philharmonic 1:02:19 Chicago Symphony 1:02:24 Florence Price 1:03:05  Yo-Yo Ma 1:03:08 Sheherazade 1:03:42 Harp Glissando 1:03:49 Eighth note 1:03:56 Principle harp 1:05:00 Berlin Philharmonic 1:05:04 Claudio Abbado 1:06:19 Intonation 1:06:38 Flat 1:06:54 Octave 1:06:56 Bassoon 1:06:58 Oboe 1:08:12 Maestro 1:09:09 Portland Youth Orchestra 1:09:35 Rite of spring 1:09:56 Beat 1:11:39 Percussion 1:11:40 Brass 1:12:54 Transition 1:12:55 Balance 1:13:08 Ensemble 1:16:40 Chicago Sinfonietta

The Chicago Sinfonietta is celebrating its 30th anniversary season with a new album featuring world-premiere recordings of newly commissioned works by Jennifer Higdon, Clarice Assad, Jessie Montgomery and Reena Esmail. Conductor Mei-Ann Chen shares insights into the new record, 'Project W: Works By Diverse Women Composers.'

Cynthia Yeh joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as principal percussionist in June 2007. She previously served as principal percussionist for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2007.Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Ms. Yeh received a Bachelor of Music performance degree from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Music performance degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, where she studied with Alan Abel.As an active soloist, Ms Yeh performed with the Chicago Symphony, the National Symphony of Taiwan, the National Orchestra of Mexico, the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Illinois Philharmonic. Ms Yeh has been featured Chicago’s WFMT program Live from Levin Studio. She performs regularly with the CSO’s MusicNOW ensemble as well as various chamber ensembles throughout Chicago.Ms Yeh is currently on faculty at DePaul University and the Aspen Music Festival. She has served on the faculty of the National Youth Orchestra-USA, Pacific Music Festival as well as the Chosen Vale Percussion Seminar.0:00 Intro and hello 2:00 The strike is over! 7:53 What can students do to prepare for the politics they may find in orchestras? 15:30 Inspiring listening, approaching a piece that doesn't already speak to you. Growth as a musician 19:40 Any style or composer that you weren't interested in right away? What don't we like... 22:20 How do you internalize your own sense of meaning in an orchestral work collaborating with the conductor and ensemble, vs a soloist? 24:55 The CSO percussion section? Being Principal Perc.. 29:40 Advice with and challenges with sexism? 36:10 Being on tour? 39:45 Most challenging pieces you've had to play in the orchestra? 47:45 Working with Pierre Boulez? 52:26 Bartok Sonata, HH muting contraption. 54:27 (Casey: Ampex tape recorder, Varese, Poeme Electronique, Bing Crosby) 58:15 Review question Watch here. Listen below.If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller will reluctantly answer a subpoena and testify before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees tomorrow. Ahead of the proceedings, which will air live on WBEZ, NPR national security editor Phil Ewing tells us what to listen for, and why it matters.Plus, after 4 decades promoting music and music education in Chicago, Jim Hirsch is retiring. He talks about his days with the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the work he’s done for the last 15 years with the Chicago Sinfonietta

As Chicago’s longest-serving alderman faces a federal corruption charge, we do a deep dive on Ed Burke and how he rose to prominence.Plus, we check in with the Chicago Sinfonietta, the most diverse orchestra in America, about efforts to get more minority musicians into the classical music world.

Why is classical music still so male and pale, and what can be done about it? Kim Chakanetsa talks to two leading female musicians who are working to challenge the status quo and open up orchestras to more women and people of colour. Of Nigerian-Irish parentage, Chi-chi Nwanoku realised that 30 years into an illustrious career as a double-bassist she was still one of vanishingly few non-white faces on the classical music stage. So in 2015 she started Chineke!, Europe's first majority-black and minority ethnic orchestra. Her project is already bearing fruit, with one of her members Sheku Kanneh-Mason, playing solo at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Mei-Ann Chen is a conductor from Taiwan, and Musical Director at the Chicago Sinfonietta - a professional orchestra founded in the 1980s to showcase the talent of African American and Latino musicians. As well as insisting on diversity in her orchestra and the music they play, Mei-Ann is passionate about opening up the overwhelmingly male-dominated world of conducting to more women, and says she would never have succeeded without a female mentor. You heard extracts from: Dances in the Canebrakes by Florence Price, performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta conducted by Mei-Ann Chen, which will be included on a new CD released in March 2019 on Cedille Records. The second movement of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony in E Minor "From the New World" performed by the Chineke! Orchestra, conducted by Kevin John Edusei. Available on Hyperion Records. (L) Image and credit: Mei-Ann Chen (R) Image: Chi-chi Nwanoku (credit: Eric Richmond)

Ahead of his benefit concert with the Chicago Sinfonietta at House of Blues on Saturday, September 8th, Lin spoke with Todd Rundgren about his vast musical career.

Möt två tonsättare som medverkar i serien "How sweet the sound": Renée Baker från Chicago och George Lewis från New York.   Renée Baker är violast, tonsättare, dirigent och bildkonstnär. Hon var konsertmästare i Chicago Sinfonietta under 25 år, men som 50-åring bildade hon 50-personersgruppen Chicago Modern Orchestra Project eftersom hon ville höra sin egen musik spelas under sin livstid. Vi spelar klassiskt, jazz och experimenterande musik. Och vi spelar mina kompositioner! Rasismen lever fortfarande i USA, enligt Renée Baker. Den uppenbara, våldsamma och legala formen av rasism har bytts ut mot en subtilare, som är lättare att ignorera och förneka och därmed nästan lika allvarlig. Det är till exempel inte olagligt att undvika svarta tonsättares eller kvinnliga tonsättares verk. Du kan ställa orkestrar inför rätta, men det är både tidsödande och dyrt, och vilken konstnär vill göra det, undrar Renée Baker. Hennes verk Subtle Hues of Blackbirds - Subtila nyanser hos koltrastar gestaltar det faktum att koltrastar kommer i olika schatteringar. Så har också människor olika färgnyanser i huden. Även inom en ras. Vi är alla mångfärgade! förklarar Renée Baker som tidigt förstod att hon ville spela klassisk musik, men nu skriver på sin första saxofonkvintett. Som klassisk musiker hör du nästan aldrig det instrumentet. Jag håller på att lära mig att älska saxofon! Hennes DIVERTIMENTO NOTTE blu för Chicago Sinfonietta är en sprallig symfoni för symfoniorkester och jazzmusiker. Alla solon måste vara atonala. Vår klassiska publik är begåvad och hungrig och klar för något nytt, tror Renée Baker som bland annat tackar The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, Meredith Monk och Pauline Oliveros för inspiration och spännande musik. Deras exempel har gett mig tillåtelse att med integritet och äkthet göra det jag vill, avslutar Renée Baker.   George Lewis är tonsättare, trombonist, författare och professor i Amerikansk musik vid Columbiauniversitetet. Dessutom gästprofessor vid University of California i Berkeley. Han är mentor för flera generationer musiker och kompositionselever. Lewis komponerade stycket Will to adorn, Viljan att smycka sig, efter en essä från 1934 av författaren och antropolgen Zora Neale Hurston. Det handlar om afroamerikanska kvinnor som traditionsenligt placerar prydnader ovanpå varandra, högt på huvudet. Det kan gälla hattar, sjalar eller håruppsättningar. Jag är mindre intresserad av att hitta afroamerikanska tonsättares okända verk. Istället vill jag sätta fokus på de olika former musiken tagit på sin väg i vår globala tid, förklarar George Lewis, som speciellt gillar ljudkompositioner, interaktivitet och musik skapad av datorer. I New York finns numera begåvade och ivriga unga musiker som bildar nätverk och designar egna ensembler. De heter International Contemporary Ensemble - ICE, Wet Ink, Yarn/Wire och Argento. De är öppna för musikalisk mångfald, genreöverskridanden och ansvarsfull improvisation, berättar George Lewis. Det är en stor förändring sedan tidigare då musiker ofta uppträdde som ett stort kollektiv av frilansare som ibland spelade nutida musik tillsammans. Jag behöver en grupp kreativa musiker som uppför min musik och befinner sig i ständig, kritisk dialog med vår komplicerade omvärld, avslutar George Lewis.   Låtlista: SYMFONI NR 1 William Grant Still, John Jeter/ Fort Smith Symphony NAXOS 14590, 8.559174   The Will To Adorn George Lewis, International Contemporary Ensemble   SICILIENNE FOR VIOLONCELL & PIANO OP 78 Gabriel Faure, Steven Isserlis/ Pascal Devoyon RCA 00316, 09026 68049   Subtle Hues of Blackbirds Renee Baker, The Southeast Symphony   Itadakimasu Renee Baker, Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, Renee Baker, Dir   Warriors Empty Vessel Renee Baker, Chicago Modern Orchestra Project Renee Baker   1-08 Adagio for String Samuel Barber, Marin Alsop Royal Scottish National Orchestra Naxos 8.559088, NAXOS 8.559088   DIVERTIMENTO NOTTE blu Renee Baker, Chicago Sinfonietta Renee Baker Dir   MANDE (OLDEST LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD) George (2) Lewis/ Miya Masaoka, George (2) Lewis/ Miya Masaoka MUSIC & ARTS 12845, CD 1023   CYCLE George (2) Lewis, George (2) Lewis/ Douglas Ewart BLACK SAINT 04866, 120 016-2   Anthem George Lewis, Wet Ink   Merce_and_Baby George Lewis, George Lewis   The Will To Adorn George Lewis, International Contemporary Ensemble   The Will To Adorn George Lewis, International Contemporary Ensemble   SYMFONI NR 1 William Grant Still, John Jeter/ Fort Smith Symphony NAXOS 14590, 8.559174

Mei-Ann Chen used to drive a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Mei-Ann talks to Kai about her fondest memories from her tenure as the former Musical Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, growing up in Taiwan in a family of teachers, and the mission of the amazingly diverse Chicago Sinfonietta. She shares the story of her struggle in her late 20s and how everything turned when the opportunity to conduct a youth orchestra came. 

Tom Service visits Chicago to talk to two major figures at the heart of the city's musical and cultural life: cellist Yo-Yo Ma and conductor Riccardo Muti. Whether as concert soloist, as founder of Silkroad Ensemble which explores musical traditions across the world, or through his collaborations with communities in Chicago, Yo-Yo Ma has consistently pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a musician, driven by his desire to explore the relationship between culture and the human experience. Although not a Chicagoan, Ma has had a big impact on the city through his performances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Riccardo Muti, and his work with the orchestra's outreach department, the Negaunee Music Institute. Riccardo Muti is famed as a conductor of Verdi and became Music Director at the orchestra in 2010 where he has continued his plight to engage people of all ages and from all backgrounds with classical music. Like Ma, Muti sees music as more than just entertainment - he is focused on making connections through music, both in his work in the schools, communities and prisons of Chicago and on his 'Roads of Friendship' project, collaborating with orchestras and musicians in conflict zones. Tom talks to both about their musical lives, Chicago and the role music and culture can play in helping our understanding of the world and of each other. And 85 years after the premiere of her first symphony at Chicago Symphony Orchestra, we hear about the inspirational figure of Florence Price - Chicago-based composer and the first black American woman to have a symphony played by a major orchestra. Tom visits the Center for Black Music Research to meet Melanie Zeck and talks to composer and musician Renèe Baker about her work with the Chicago Sinfonietta and The Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, discovering how Florence is just one part of a history that needs to be told and a legacy that needs to be fulfilled.

Carlos Rafael Rivera is a commissioned and award winning composer whose career has spanned several genres of the music industry, including his original score for Universal Pictures' A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES, starring Liam Neeson. A protégé of Randy Newman, Rivera is also a guitarist and has performed onstage as opening act for The Who at the Hollywood Bowl. His work for the performing arts has been featured by some of the most prominent ensembles and soloists, including: Arturo Sandoval, Colin Currie, the Chicago Sinfonietta, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He has also served as Composer-in-Residence with the Miami Symphony Orchestra. One of his most recent projects is for FOR the NETFLIX original series, GODLESS, directed by Scott Frank, produced by Steve Soderbergh, and starring Jeff Daniels and Michelle Dockery. This serie tells the story of a ruthless outlaw terrorizes the West in search of a former member of his gang, who's found a new life in a quiet town populated only by women.In this episode, Carlos Rivera talks about his 18 month journey in writing the score - writing some 4.5 hours of music for the series. He also shares about the evolution of some of the key musical moments, and just how he worked closely with the show's creative team and instrumentalists throughout which opened new doors for creativity to the composer.ANNOTATED TRACKS01:42 - Track - Godless SuiteOTHER TRACKS00:14 - Track - "Godless Theme"08:06 - Track - "Finale"SOUNDTRACKNo release information is available.MORE ABOUT THE COMPOSERYou can hear more music from Carlos Rafael Rivera at his official site. Or follow him on Twitter @composer313ABOUT THE ANNOTATORProduced by Christopher Coleman (@ccoleman) and you can Find more episodes at THEANNOTATOR.NET or you can subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher Radio or wherever you find quality podcasts.FOLLOW USTwitter @audioannotatorFacebook @TheAnnotatorEmail theannotatorpodcast@gmail.comSUBSCRIBEiTunesStitcher RadioGoogle Play PodcastsRSS Feed

Jacqueline Cofield, founder of J Rêve International LLC, is a multi-passionate, multidisciplinary cultural creative, educator, and yogini. Cofield has traveled to nearly 60 countries, resided in eight, and is trilingual (Spanish, French).  Her global work includes programs with MAPP International Productions, Paramount International TV, Columbia Pictures, The Sundance Film Festival – New Frontier, Disney Corporation, Sony Music,  The Peggy Guggenheim Museum, UNESCO, Give1Project, The Chicago Sinfonietta, G.R. N’Namdi Gallery, The University of Southern California, Ithaca College Los Angeles, University of Rochester, and The New York City Department of Education. J Rêve International LLC, a global culture and arts education social enterprise. As a cultural practitioner, she creates meaningful experiences for artists, educators, and students who seek intercultural experiences advancing their global awareness and arts engagements. In order to produce these programs, Cofield collaborates globally with creatives, cultural, and educational institutions and private enterprises.  In this episode we discuss: Jacqueline's experience as a teacher that led her to creating J Rêve International LLC. What is global citizenry? How can you participate? The process to step out and pursue your dream. For more information on Jacqueline Cofield and J Rêve International LLC visit http://www.jreveinternational.com. For more episodes visit http://cstem.org. 

I det tionde och sista avsnittet i Birgitta Tollans serie How sweet the sound medverkar två tonsättare som varit betydelsefulla för hela den här serien: Renée Baker från Chicago och George Lewis från New York. De har hjälpt henne att finna fram till alla de fantastiska afroamerikanska tonsättare, musiker och dirigenter som hon mötte på sin resa i USA. Renée Baker är violast, tonsättare, dirigent och bildkonstnär. Hon var konsertmästare i Chicago Sinfonietta under 25 år, men som 50-åring bildade hon 50-personersgruppen Chicago Modern Orchestra Project eftersom hon ville höra sin egen musik spelas under sin livstid. – Vi spelar klassiskt, jazz och experimenterande musik. Och vi spelar mina kompositioner! Rasismen lever fortfarande i USA, enligt Renée Baker. – Den uppenbara, våldsamma och legala formen av rasism har bytts ut mot en subtilare, som är lättare att ignorera och förneka och därmed nästan lika allvarlig. Det är till exempel inte olagligt att undvika svarta tonsättares eller kvinnliga tonsättares verk. Du kan ställa orkestrar inför rätta, men det är både tidsödande och dyrt, och vilken konstnär vill göra det, undrar Renée Baker. Hennes verk Subtle Hues of Blackbirds - Subtila nyanser hos koltrastar gestaltar det faktum att koltrastar kommer i olika schatteringar. – Så har också människor olika färgnyanser i huden. Även inom en ras. Vi är alla mångfärgade! förklarar Renée Baker som tidigt förstod att hon ville spela klassisk musik, men nu skriver på sin första saxofonkvintett. – Som klassisk musiker hör du nästan aldrig det instrumentet. Jag håller på att lära mig att älska saxofon! Hennes DIVERTIMENTO NOTTE blu för Chicago Sinfonietta är en sprallig symfoni för symfoniorkester och jazzmusiker. Alla solon måste vara atonala. – Vår klassiska publik är begåvad och hungrig och klar för något nytt, tror Renée Baker som bland annat tackar The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, Meredith Monk och Pauline Oliveros för inspiration och spännande musik. – Deras exempel har gett mig tillåtelse att med integritet och äkthet göra det jag vill, avslutar Renée Baker. George Lewis är tonsättare, trombonist, författare och professor i Amerikansk musik vid Columbiauniversitetet. Dessutom gästprofessor vid University of California i Berkeley. Han är mentor för flera generationer musiker och kompositionselever. Lewis komponerade stycket Will to adorn, Viljan att smycka sig, efter en essä från 1934 av författaren och antropolgen Zora Neale Hurston. Det handlar om afroamerikanska kvinnor som traditionsenligt placerar prydnader ovanpå varandra, högt på huvudet. Det kan gälla hattar, sjalar eller håruppsättningar. – Jag är mindre intresserad av att hitta afroamerikanska tonsättares okända verk. Istället vill jag sätta fokus på de olika former musiken tagit på sin väg i vår globala tid, förklarar George Lewis, som speciellt gillar ljudkompositioner, interaktivitet och musik skapad av datorer. – I New York finns numera begåvade och ivriga unga musiker som bildar nätverk och designar egna ensembler. De heter International Contemporary Ensemble - ICE, Wet Ink, Yarn/Wire och Argento. De är öppna för musikalisk mångfald, genreöverskridanden och ansvarsfull improvisation, berättar George Lewis. Det är en stor förändring sedan tidigare då musiker ofta uppträdde som ett stort kollektiv av frilansare som ibland spelade nutida musik tillsammans. – Jag behöver en grupp kreativa musiker som uppför min musik och befinner sig i ständig, kritisk dialog med vår komplicerade omvärld, avslutar George Lewis. Manus, regi och produktion: Birgitta Tollan.

Cedille Chicago Presents a single disc: our new May 26, 2013 release, Delights & Dances, featuring music for string quartet and orchestra including two world premieres — performed by the Harlem Quartet with the Chicago Sinfonietta, conducted by its new music director, Mei-Ann Chen, making her full-length album recording debut. Subscribe to the Cedille Email List to receive one free music track from each week's show!   Playlist for May 29, 2013 Delights & Dances MICHAEL ABELS (b. 1962) Delights & Dances for String Quartet and String Orchestra (13:03) From Delights & Dances Cedille Records CDR 90000 141 (Track 1) Harlem Quartet Chicago Sinfonietta Mei-Ann Chen, conductor BENJAMIN LEES (1924–2010) Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra III. Allegro energico (5:28) From Delights & Dances Cedille Records CDR 90000 141 (Track 4) Harlem Quartet Chicago Sinfonietta Mei-Ann Chen, conductor AN-LUN HUANG (b. 1949) “Saibei Dance” from Saibei Suite No. 2 (4:08) From Delights & Dances Cedille Records CDR 90000 141 (Track 5) Chicago Sinfonietta Mei-Ann Chen, conductor LEONARD BERNSTEIN arr. RANDALL CRAIG FLEISCHER (b. 1958) West Side Story Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra (excerpts) (23:41) Cha Cha Maria Tonight Cadenza Prologue America Quintet Cadenza 2 Finale From Delights & Dances Cedille Records CDR 90000 141 (Tracks 7–15) Harlem Quartet Chicago Sinfonietta Mei-Ann Chen, conductor  

Cedille Chicago Presents chamber music performances by The Chicago Sinfonietta conducted by its founding music director, Maestro Paul Freeman. Subscribe to the Cedille Email List to receive one free music track from each week's show!  This week's download is: FELA SOWANDE (1905–1987) African Suite (selections) (1930) II. Nostalgia - Andante (4:14) From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. I Cedille Records CDR 90000 055 (Track 7) Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor   Playlist: RUDOLPH GANZ (1877–1972) Piano Concerto in E-flat Major, Op. 32 (1940) III. Scherzo: Dance-like (animato) (4:13) From Chicago Concertos: Piano Concertos by Rudolph Ganz and John La Montaine Cedille Records CDR 90000 028 (Track 3) Ramon Salvatore, piano Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor LEO SOWERBY (1895–1968) Symphony No. 2 III. Fugue: Not fast; with dignity (6:43) From Leo Sowerby: Symphony No. 2, other works Cedille Records CDR 90000 039 (Track 6) Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor FELA SOWANDE (1905–1987) African Suite (selections) (1930) II. Nostalgia - Andante (4:14) From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. I Cedille Records CDR 90000 055 (Track 7) Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor WILLIAM GRANT STILL (1895–1978) Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American" (1930) I. Moderato assai (6:10) From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. I Cedille Records CDR 90000 055 (Track 9) Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK (b. 1941) Epitaph for a Man who Dreamed (1979) (7:37) From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. II Cedille Records CDR 90000 061 (Track 13) Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor MICHAEL ABELS (b. 1962) Global Warming (1990) (8:10) From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. III Cedille Records CDR 90000 066 (Track 1) Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor COLERIDGE-TAYLOR PERKINSON (1932–2004) Sinfonietta No. 1 for Strings (1954–55) II. Song Form: Largo (5:08) From Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: A Celebration Chicago Sinfonietta Paul Freeman, conductor

The Mayne Stage and Fear No ART presents The Dinner Party went on the road to Expo Chicago on September 20th with food samplings from Michael Kornick and chocolate samplings from Vosges Haut Chocolat! International sculptor Tony Tasset, artistic director of the Chicago Children's Choir, Josephine Lee and principal percussionist and education director of Chicago Sinfonietta, Jeff Handley joined us at the dinner table.

Check out the highlights from the September 20th Dinner Party! The Mayne Stage and Fear No ART presents The Dinner Party went on the road to Expo Chicago on September 20th with food samplings from Michael Kornick and chocolate samplings from Vosges Haut Chocolat! International sculptor Tony Tasset, artistic director of the Chicago Children's Choir, Josephine Lee and principal percussionist and education director of Chicago Sinfonietta, Jeff Handley joined us at the dinner table. .

This edition of HEART and SOUL shines a spotlight on Maestro Paul Freeman. Freeman founded the Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation's most diverse symphony orchestra.

We’re featuring double bassist Alan Steiner on this week’s episode of Contrabass Conversations. A graduate of the Curtis Institute, Alan performs regularly with the Chicago Sinfonietta and Lake Forest Symphony. In addition to maintaining a private double bass studio, Alan teaches bass each summer at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Door County, Wisconsin. The topic of discussion for today’s brief (15 min) episode focuses on tips for helping students to make quality audition tapes. Alan listens to many audition tapes each year when choosing bassists for the Birch Creek Symphony, and he offers advice to help students make better tapes and get more out of the process. Enjoy!