Today is Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US. Contrary to some misconceptions, the June 19 holiday does not mark the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued on January 1, 1863. In fact, the holiday marks a more somber occasion: the date in 1865 when Union soldiers brought news of their victory — and …

This morning, Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association president Jeff Alexander announced the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-2020 season. It will mark Muti’s tenth-anniversary season as music director as well as the 250th birthday of Beethoven. Muti conducts all of Beethoven’s symphonies over the course of the season, culminating in the triumphant Symphony No. 9 in June …

Though African Americans have not historically enjoyed the same rights and privileges as others, their contributions of music have been nothing short of history-changing. Here are 19 composers to help you celebrate Juneteenth, and which in turn deserve to be celebrated.

The summer cookout is as American as apple pie and Appalachian Spring. As you fire up the grill to cook up hot dogs, hamburgers, and all of your other favorite summer foods, we have the perfect soundtrack for you. Click here to jump to our playlist, or scroll down to peruse some of our favorite American works, from classics like Gershwin’s Rhapsody in …