Tagged: classical music

The Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center in New York City is partnering with a music center in Grand Rapids.

The prestigious center in New York will produce at least three concerts at St. Cecilia Music Center beginning this year. St. Cecilia Music Center was created 130 year ago in downtown Grand Rapids.

“It really speaks well of Grand Rapids that someone of their caliber involved in the sorts of things that they’re involved in wanted to be here, wanted to work with our community and I think it’s really going to elevate Grand Rapids as a cultural center,” said Cathy Holbrook the center’s executive director.

We kick of the first Artpod of 2012 with an appearance by none other than the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

I interviewed Franklin last month about her search for the next great opera star. That's right, opera star. Franklin wants to get in on the singing contest circuit, and she's turning her searchlight on the world of classical music.

So, all 18-40 year old classically trained singers, this week's podcast is for you.

As we reported earlier this week, Aretha Franklin is searching for the next great opera singer. If you're 18-40 years old and classically trained, the Queen of Soul wants to hear from you:

"Some of the older classical singers like Jessye Norman, and Leontyne [Price], Barbara Hendricks...they are retiring, they’re not singing anymore, and I’d like to see some younger singers come along and take their place," explains Franklin.

If she likes what she hears, Franklin will sign one, two, maybe even three performers to her label, Aretha’s Records and help those singers get established in the world of classical music.

The audition process

Calling all opera singers: Aretha Franklin wants to hear from you.

The Queen of Soul says she wants to find the next Jessye Norman or Barbara Hendricks:

"Some of the older classical singers have retired and they’re not singing anymore, and I’d like to see some younger singers come along and take their place."

To facilitate that, she's calling all 18-40 year olds who are classically trained to send her their resume, headshot, and a demo CD or cassette. No original songs will be accepted, only covers:

The Grand Rapids Symphony has reached a labor agreement with its 80 musicians. The deal comes after several months of intense contract negotiations. 

“Someone counted that we had 29 meetings during the summer,” said Peter Kjome, Grand Rapids Symphony President and CEO.

“It was not an easy time at the negotiating table but we stayed there together, we rolled up our sleeves, we reached agreement and now we’re able to focus on making music.”

Symphonies and other professional arts organizations have gone through lots of challenges since the recession hit.

Aaron Dworkin, founder of  the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the National Council on the Arts. Dworkin is President Obama's first appointment to the Council.

The National Council on the Arts advises the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, currently Rocco Landsman, about policies and programs.

Dworkin founded the Sphinx Organization in 1996 with the goal of "building diversity in classical music."