Tagged: classical music

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7:45pm

Tue January 31, 2012
Arts/Culture

Music partnership blossoming between New York's Lincoln Center and Grand Rapids

Cathy Holbrook has been St. Cecilia Music Center's Executive Director for 6 years.
Lindsey Smtih / Michigan Radio

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.

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9:48pm

Wed January 4, 2012
Arts/Culture

Artpod: Aretha Franklin is looking for next big opera star

Photo courtesy of Aretha Franklin /

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.

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12:29pm

Fri December 9, 2011
Arts/Culture

Attn young, classical singers: Aretha Franklin wants to hear from 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

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4:55pm

Mon December 5, 2011
Arts/Culture

Aretha Franklin wants to find the next great opera star

User bazylek100 / Flickr

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:

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1:34pm

Fri September 16, 2011
Arts/Culture

Contract allows GR Symphony “to focus on making music”

Grand Rapids Symphony Music Director David Lockington
Grand Rapids Symphony /

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.

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5:45pm

Wed August 10, 2011
Arts/Culture

Sphinx founder Aaron Dworkin to serve on National Council of the Arts

Aaron Dworkin is President Obama's first confirmed appointment to the National Council on the Arts
Bruce Giffin / Courtesy of the Sphinx Organization

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."

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