New Orleans musician offers kids trumpets for guns

Shamarr Allen tells news agencies that he has a 9-year-old son and started the project last week, the day after a 9-year-old boy was shot and killed. He says the trumpet changed his life.

Singer, songwriter, activist Baez named Guthrie recipient

Baez is this year’s recipient of the Woody Guthrie Prize, an award that recognizes artists who speak out for the less fortunate.

CSO Cancels Fall Performances

In a statement, CSOA president Jeff Alexander expressed, “As we look ahead and make plans for ensemble concerts for the fall, we are also eager for the day when Maestro Muti and the full orchestra can come together again to share music with local, national and international audiences.”

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.

Despite coronavirus, 1 musical is holding auditions, online

Most theaters in America may be closed, but one musical isn’t letting the virus pandemic stop it from getting prepared to put on a show: “KPOP,” a musical exploring the world of Korean pop.

Ravinia Festival Names Next President and CEO

This morning, the Ravinia Festival announced its next president and CEO: Jeffrey P. Haydon. The CEO of the Caramoor Center for Music and Arts in New York since 2012, Haydon was previously on the staff of the CSO.

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.

Spaghetti Western movie composer Ennio Morricone dead at 91

Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic Spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and an array of other films.

Remembering Don Mueller

The name Don Mueller may not have been well known to all listeners, but WFMT’s former director of operations was indispensible in his 30 years at the station.

WFMT, CSO Extend Joint Series ‘From the CSO’s Archives: Maestro’s Choice’ Into September

Featured in the eleven new programs is a wide array of music conducted by Muti, including selections by Bruckner, Berlioz, and Verdi. Additional programs are dedicated to performances conducted by Fritz Reiner, Pierre Boulez, and Bernard Haitink.

Broadway shutdown due to virus extended again until January

The shutdown on Broadway has been extended again — until at least early January. Although an exact date for performances to resume has yet to be determined, Broadway producers are now offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for shows through January 3.

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.

Plants fill seats at Barcelona opera house concert

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona’s opera house has reopened and performed its first concert since the coronavirus lockdown. To an audience that didn’t have to worry about social distancing. Instead of people, there were 2,292 plants, one for each seat in the theater. Monday’s concert was also livestreamed for humans to watch. The event was conceived by a Spanish artist …

From Italy, Muti looks to reopen US classical music scene

Riccardo Muti has sent a resounding message that live classical music has returned the Italian stage after the coronavirus lockdown.

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.

World War II forces sweetheart singer Vera Lynn dies at 103

LONDON (AP) — Dame Vera Lynn, the endearingly popular “Forces’ Sweetheart” who serenaded British troops abroad during World War II, has died. She was 103. During the war and long after, Lynn got crowds singing, smiling and crying with sentimental favorites such as “We’ll Meet Again,” and “The White Cliffs of Dover.” The family statement says Lynn was surrounded by …

No 2020 ‘Nutcracker’ as Joffrey Ballet Cancels Performances Through December

Today, the Joffrey Ballet announced cancellations through December 2020 in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

Lyric Cancels Performances Until January 2021

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in-person performances will be among the last to return, making “operating on anything close to a normal basis until that phase” impossible.

NY Philharmonic cancels fall season, moves up Geffen rebuild

The NY Phil canceled its fall season because of the coronavirus pandemic and moved up the start of Geffen Hall’s reconstruction to take advantage of the orchestra’s absence.

Dallas Opera postpones opening night from October to March

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Opera is postponing opening night from Oct. 9 to March 5 and cutting its 2020-21 season from five productions to four. The company says Verdi’s “Don Carlo” will replace Wagner’s “Lohengrin” next season and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice” has been dropped. “Don Carlo” which was canceled in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dallas Opera’s …

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.

Jimmy Cobb, ‘Kind of Blue’ drummer for Miles Davis, dies

Jimmy Cobb, a percussionist and the last surviving member of Miles Davis’ 1959 “Kind of Blue” groundbreaking jazz album, has died. His wife, Eleana Tee Cobb, announced on Facebook that her husband died Sunday at his New York City home from lung cancer. He was 91. Born in Washington, D.C., Cobb was a drummer on the “Kind of Blue” jam …

Muti to conduct classical music’s return to Italian stage

Organizers are billing the open-air concert as Italy’s first live classical music performance since its coronavirus lockdown.

Three Chicago Premieres in Chicago Opera Theater’s 2020-21 Season

General director Ashley Magnus maintains that even in troubled times, the company is “moving forward with the belief that opera truly is a living, resilient art form.”

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