George Floyd kin joins protest anthem album project

Terrence Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, plays drums on a forthcoming album of protest anthems, fulfilling a dream of his late brother, who once dabbled in music in Houston’s hip-hop scene.

New museum traces history of Black music across genres

A new music museum in Nashville is telling an important and often overlooked story about the roots of American popular music.

Playlist: Celebrating the Blackness and Black Artistry of Gospel Music

Black people have used music and singing to tell the story of hope amid pain, promise amid peril, and immovable faith amid adversity. This playlist celebrates the uniqueness of Black thought and spirituality through the years.

National Museum of African American Music to open next month

News outlets report the National Museum of African American Music will host a socially distanced ribbon cutting on Jan. 18 when it formally opens.

Playlist: Telling the Painful and Hopeful Story of the Black Community (Staff Spotlight)

In the first of our WFMT Staff Spotlight series, we share a playlist from Tim Russell, the Vice President of Community Engagement at WFMT and WTTW.

In the Age of the Visual Album, What Can Opera Learn from Beyoncé?

The virtual sphere won’t replace the live stage, but it can add a second, more accessible one, with great room for creative growth and the viral potential of easily shareable, iconic images.

Playlist: Black and Latino Voices On Stage

To coincide with exciting new additions to the WTTW slate, WFMT has compiled a playlist celebrating the pinnacles of Black and Latino artistry in vocal music.

Lyric Returns With Free Star-Studded Virtual Gala

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s season opens this weekend in truly unprecedented fashion: with a virtual gala.

North Carolina home of Nina Simone gets permanent protection

The childhood home of iconic musician and civil rights activist Nina Simone will be indefinitely preserved in North Carolina.

Through the Eyes of Women: Protests and Racial Justice in the Studs Terkel Radio Archive

Our picture of the past is often incomplete: though long on the frontlines in the fight for racial justice, women’s stories have often been left out of history. Here are nine conversations with women to enrich our understanding.

Silkroad’s new face: Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens

Grammy-winning folk singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens takes the baton from renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who founded the group two decades ago.

Hope and Strength: Celebrating Black Artistry with Lawrence Brownlee & Lyric

Ahead of a free livestream this weekend, the star tenor reflected on his colleagues and career in opera and what he thinks classical music organizations should be doing to better represent their communities.

Anthony McGill’s #TakeTwoKnees Challenge Inspires Activism, Donations for Equal Justice Initiative

Earlier this month, Anthony McGill shared a video of himself kneeling while playing clarinet with his call-to-action hashtag: #TakeTwoKnees. Now, he’s using this hashtag to raise money for a racial justice organization.

Rare Cannonball Adderley 1966 Seattle concerts going digital

A rare collection of previously unissued recordings by legendary jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley is becoming more accessible thanks to two small jazz labels.

Chicago Musicians to Honor Elijah McClain in Violin Vigil

Under the baton of conductor and violinist Kyle J. Dickson, vigil attendees will play string arrangements of music by William Grant Still, Florence Price, Paul Simon, and Bill Withers to mourn and demand justice for Elijah McClain.

This Chicago Program is Helping Young Musicians of Color Break Barriers. Here’s How to Audition.

In arts and music, there’s an important — but sometimes overlooked — facet of diversity that needs to be addressed: not just of the people in the audience, but also of the people onstage.

Musicians Protest in Harmony: Violin Vigils for Elijah McClain

As protests in the ongoing fight against systemic racism and police brutality continue, musicians are coming together to pay tribute and raise awareness after the death of fellow violinist, Elijah McClain.

Friday: Chicago-Born Clarinetist Anthony McGill Gives Free Livestreamed Concert

Upon his 2014 appointment, clarinetist Anthony McGill became the first African-American principal musician in NY Phil history. This week, WFMT will present a free livestreamed recital featuring McGill and pianist Anna Polonsky celebrating the diversity of the Americas.

Stand up With the Sitdown: Black Singers Share Their Experiences in Opera

Star tenor Lawrence Brownlee’s new Facebook Live series aims to change the face of the industry through interviews with other Black opera singers and advice for aspiring Black opera singers, Brownlee explains.

4 Can’t-Miss Chicago Juneteenth Livestreams

As the city, state, and country celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US, Chicago arts and music organizations are giving performances and leading discussions centering Black artists. Here are four music-related streams we think you should tune in to.

Juneteenth on WFMT

In observance of Juneteenth, WFMT is sharing music by Black composers and performers throughout the day.

Sunday: Celebrating Black Classical Artists

A full day of classical music from the perspectives of Black composers, instrumentalists, singers, and conductors.

Pianist Lara Downes Joins WFMT for a Moving and Timely Virtual Concert and Conversation

In troubled times, music is a source of hope and healing. In a virtual interview and concert with WFMT’s George Preston, pianist Lara Downes performs selections from her new album, Some of These Days.

WATCH: Pianist Aaron Diehl Plays Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, and Gershwin in Live Video Concert

WFMT is thrilled to bring you this upbeat, swinging concert livestream from pianist and composer Aaron Diehl featuring propulsive Harlem stride hits by James P. Johnson, Thomas “Fats” Waller, and Willie “the Lion” Smith, plus selections by Scott Joplin, Gershwin, and Massenet.

This Friday: A Swinging Stride Piano Livestream with Aaron Diehl

Pianist and composer Aaron Diehl shares virtuosic music by “Fats” Waller, Willie “the Lion” Smith, plus selections by Gershwin, Grieg, and Scott Joplin in a free upcoming livestream co-presented by WFMT.