Posts in competitions
When Gun Violence Erupts Again, Will The Concert Hall Be Spared? Not Unless We Act Now
When Gun Violence Erupts Again, Will The Concert Hall Be Spared? Not Unless We Act Now

While this story may seem inappropriate, exaggerated, and even far-fetched for many classical concert goers, the reality of gun violence is becoming more widespread and normalized across American society. As of mid-July, 2022, over 300 mass shootings had been reported in the United States, with associated deaths stacking up to over 60. Orchestral and opera venues have long been considered “safe spaces” where issues of systemic racism, patriarchal norms, and class division (among others) have been pushed to the proverbial nosebleeds, but as the issue of gun violence continues to grow, so should the attention that arts institutions are paying this issue. 

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activism, american orchestras, arts activism, ballet, chamber music, classical music, competitions, composers, conferences, conservatories, forums, global, international, justice reform, music, music administration, music education, music history, musicology, new music, opera, orchestras, social justice, youth orchestras
CONVERSATIONS Season 1 Now Available on Spotify
CONVERSATIONS Season 1 Now Available on Spotify

Represent Classical’s popular video series, CONVERSATIONS, is now available to listen to on Spotify.

Hosted by Christine S. Escobar, Founder and Editor of Represent Classical, each episode of “CONVERSATIONS” features in depth interviews with industry leaders, notable musicians, movers, shakers, and innovators in classical music and related genres.

Stay tuned for Season 2 beginning in late spring with more insightful and thought-provoking discussions on the change that musicians of color are creating in the music industry.

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american orchestras, artist feature, arts activism, audio, awards, ballet, bass, books, chamber music, commissions, competitions, composers, conferences, conservatories, dance, fellowships, forums, funding, in person concerts, in person events, inspiration, international, interviews, justice reform, music, music administration, music education, music history, music schools, musicology, new release, opera, opportunities, orchestras, premieres, scholarships, season announcements, social justice, solo performances, strings, summer programs, support for BBIPOC music, tour dates, video, virtual concerts, young artists, youth orchestras, announcements, podcastChristine EscobarConversations, interviews, music, musicians of color, musicians, composers of color, orchestras, classical music, audioo, audio, video, series, featured artists, BBIPOC musicians, BBIPOC classical musicians, BBIPOC composers, support for BBIPOC music, podcast
The Grammys and The Challenge of Equitable Diversity 
The Grammys and The Challenge of Equitable Diversity 

Chart-topping artists like Lil Nas X walked away empty handed, but people like Jazmine Sullivan and Doja Cat reaffirmed their footing with fans, and the Recording Academy, by taking home the highly coveted trophy in their respective categories. Even the biggest award, the Grammy for “Album of the Year”, went to Jon Batiste, who himself seemed to be surprised when his name was called, making him the 11th Black artist to win this award in Grammy history.

With these, and several other Black artists taking home awards, it would seem that the Recording Academy is paying close attention to the continued push for more Black representation in the way these awards are distributed, but a closer look shows there is still a high level of marginalization toward Black artists that many people ignore in light of the success of a select few.

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awards, chamber music, competitions, composers, music, music history, music schools, musicology, orchestras, strings, support for BBIPOC musicGarrett McQueenThe Grammys, Grammys, Recording Academy, The Recording Academy, Lil Nas X, Jazmine Sullivan, Doja Cat, Jon Batiste, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Florence B. Prie, Florence B. Price, Black composers, Black musicians, Black classical music, Black hip hop musicians, Black pop musicians, Indigeneous musicians, Indigenous music, Curtis Stewart, Jennifer Koh, The Juilliard School, Caroline Shaw, Tyler the Creator, Soja, Virgil Abloh
Sphinx Org Announces 2022 Venture Fund Recipients
Sphinx Org Announces 2022 Venture Fund Recipients

The Sphinx Organization has awarded two grants of $100,000 and one grant of $97,500 for 3 projects that meet the Sphinx Venture Fund’s mission to support initiatives designed to solve a challenge or an issue related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in classical music.

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american orchestras, awards, chamber music, competitions, composers, commissions, conservatories, funding, music, music administration, music education, music schools, opera, opportunities, orchestras, social justice, strings, support for BBIPOC music, young artistsChristine Escobarmusic competitions, competitions, composers of color, Sphinx Venture Fund, Sphinx, sphinx organization, BBIPOC musicians, BBIPOC classical musicians, BBIPOC composers, Art of the Piano Festival & Foundation, Awadagin Pratt, Nina Simone Piano Competition, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Manhattan School of Music, Alexa Smith, New York City Opera’s Duncan-Williams Voice Competition, The Juilliard School, Weston Sprott, Composing Inclusion, New York Philharmonic, American Composers Forum
NEW RELEASE: Tyshawn Sorey ft. Alarm Will Sound-“For George Lewis”
NEW RELEASE: Tyshawn Sorey ft. Alarm Will Sound-“For George Lewis”

Composer Tyshawn Sorey’s double-album, featuring the chamber orchestra Alarm Will Sound, releases on Cantaloupe Music on August 27.

Recently profiled in the New York Times Magazine, Sorey has been called a denizen of the “in-between zone” by the New Yorker. The two works on the album, commissioned by Alarm Will Sound, tap into a central theme that Sorey calls “the decorating of time.”

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artist feature, chamber music, commissions, competitions, composers, music, music history, new release, premieres, stringsChristine Escobarchamber music ensembles, chamber music, new music, Tyshawn Sorey, Black composers, Black classical music, Black musicians, Black American composers, Alan Pierson, George Lewis, albums, Butch Morris, Anthony Braxton
Stulberg Competition Accepting Applications
Stulberg Competition Accepting Applications

Beginning October 15 until February 1, 2021, the Stulberg Competition, based in Kalamazoo, MI is accepting applications from young musicians for its 46th annual event.

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awards, competitions, in person events, music education, music, young artists, youth orchestrasChristine Escobarstulberg competition, competitions, Stulberg Competition, string competitions, midwest competitions, Western Michigan University, Mitchell Newman, Cynthia Phelps, Sara Sant'Ambrogio, American competitions, music competitions, precollege musicians
Entries Sought for 2nd annual William Warfield Classical Vocal Competition
Entries Sought for 2nd annual William Warfield Classical Vocal Competition

The 2nd annual William Warfield Scholarship Fund Classical Vocal Competition for African American High School Students will take place October 24, 2020. Entries are now being sought for the first round of this vocal competition, supporting Black high school classical singers. Prizes range from $500 to $2000. The first round of entries is due on September 25, 2020.

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competitions, awards, funding, music, young artistsChristine Escobarcompetitions, vocal, classical music, young musicians, Black musicians, precollege musicians, William Warfield Vocal Competition