Music & Culture
Classical Music Posts
Music Moment: Ethel Smyth And Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf was lounging in her pajamas in bed one morning when her doorbell rang. A visitor? That was the last thing she expected that day. But, expected or not, there came the sounds of footsteps: through the foyer, up the staircase and down the hall — a moment later into her room, and into her life, burst the composer, writer and suffragette Ethel Smyth. Continue Reading Music Moment: Ethel Smyth And Virginia Woolf
Passing The Baton: Northwest Composer And Educator Austin Schlichting
Austin Schlichting is a high school orchestra and choir director, in addition to teaching fifth grade strings in Lacey, Washington. He is part of a music education legacy. On top of being a performer and composer, Schlichting continues a four generations-long tradition of northwest music teachers in his family. Continue Reading Passing The Baton: Northwest Composer And Educator Austin Schlichting
Passing The Baton: Arcangelo Corelli And George Frideric Handel
Arcangelo Corelli, respectfully known as “The Archangel,” and George Frideric Handel, nicknamed “the dear Saxon” by his adoring Italian public. Two household names among Baroque Era composers. Two famous musicians with a mentor-protégé relationship. Continue Reading Passing The Baton: Arcangelo Corelli And George Frideric Handel
Passing The Baton: Florence Price And Margaret Bonds
The early 20th century presented a series of uphill battles for women in music. For woman of color, they scaled mountains to compose, play and share their voices. It was a series of old locked doors, blatant racism and intolerance. While many in the white, male-dominated music community turned backs, refusing to listen, or even attempted to stop them before they could start , Florence Price and her student Margaret Bonds supported *each other* in tearing down doors and making history. Continue Reading Passing The Baton: Florence Price And Margaret Bonds
Passing The Baton: Oboist And WSU Professor Of Music Dr. Keri McCarthy
Music is a tough business, but a diverse one. Not everyone can take center stage in the concert hall. At Washington State University, Dr. Keri McCarthy is one of the professors encouraging her students to think about their future roles in society as musicians– as music consumers, creators, and educators — by looking to the past. Continue Reading Passing The Baton: Oboist And WSU Professor Of Music Dr. Keri McCarthy
Passing The Baton: Brahms And Dvorak
Was Johannes Brahms as sweet and comforting as the lullaby that bears his name? Actually, as conductor Manfred Honeck told the New York Times, “There was nothing cozy about Brahms.” He never had students in the formal sense. Brahms’s manner was described as “not encouraging,” when younger composers would beg for his attentions. But Antonin Dvorak didn’t have to beg. Continue Reading Passing The Baton: Brahms And Dvorak