The decision by Chicago Philharmonic to open its 2022-23 concert season Thursday with a program focused on diversity was well within character for the orchestra.  

Diversity had long been a concern for the musician-run orchestra and its conductor, Scott Speck. Its effort to provide better representation for black composers and performers ramped up considerably since national incidents of racial injustice in 2020 prompted a self-examination within the classical music community.

Chicago Philharmonic also underscored its sincerity on this issue last year by hiring Terrell Johnson, a young Black innovator, as its executive director. 

University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 4:00 PM — FREE

Cox Auditorium in the Alumni Memorial Building on the UT Campus

“Fabulously gifted” –The Times

“Cello Rockstar” –Esquire

Song, the new album from cellist Sheku-Kanneh Mason, features music from across the entire spectrum of classical, folk, jazz and pop – all personally curated by Sheku. The eclectic mix of styles are tied together by one thing – the unique singing voice of Sheku’s cello.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason became a household name in 2018 after performing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle. His performance was greeted with universal excitement and was seen by nearly two billion people globally.

Sheku initially garnered renown as the winner of the 2016 BBC Young Musician Competition, the first black musician to take the title. He has released two chart-topping albums on the Decca Classics label, Inspiration (2018) and Elgar (2020). The latter reached #8 in the overall UK official album chart, making Sheku the first cellist in history to reach the UK top 10.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason 2022 US Live Tour Schedule

October 10, 2022 – Granada Theatre (Community Arts Music Foundation of Santa Barbara) | Santa Barbara, CA

October 11, 2022 – Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Philharmonic Society of Orange County) | Costa Mesa, CA

October 12, 2022 – Walt Disney Concert Hall (LA Phil) | Los Angeles, CA

October 15, 2022 – Mondavi Center for the Arts (UC Davis) | Davis, CA

October 16, 2022 – Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco Symphony) | San Francisco, CA

October 19, 2022 – Hill Auditorium (University Musical Society) | Ann Arbor, MI
October 21, 2022 – Strathmore (Washington Performing Arts) | North Bethesda,

 MD

October 22, 2022 – Carnegie Hall | New York, NY

December 8, 9 and 10, 2022 – Kimmel Center (Philadelphia Orchestra) | Philadelphia, PA

For tickets and full international dates, please go to: shekukannehmason.com/live/

As distinguished poets and authors the Lee sisters have multiple publications. Some of their most distinctive writings are in their books. The Astronaut’s Window: Collection of Poems and Short Stories Celebrating Nature, a new book by Dr. Hazel Ann Lee includes original fascinating science-fiction poems and short stories. The Forgotten Schoolhouse: Original Poems and Short Stories on Faith, Love, Nature and Wonder, a book by Dr. Cynthia Cozette Lee, includes original inspiring poem tributes honoring famous international figures, including “The Town Crier’s News” dedicated to President Barack Obama, “When Will Love Reign in the World?” for President Nelson Mandela, “The Courageous Astronaut” for Guion S. Bluford, Jr., “Mathematical Genius” for Katherine Johnson, “The Royal Wedding of Hope” to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan) and a poem “Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.”

The two uplifting poems, “Survival in Time” by Cynthia and “Sunrise on Loran” by Hazel can be viewed at the following URLs:

“Survival in Time” poetry link:

http://fiftywordstories.com/2022/09/07/cynthia-cozette-survival-in-time/

“Sunrise on Loran” poetry link:

http://fiftywordstories.com/2022/07/11/hazel-ann-lee-sunrise-on-loran/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hazel-ann-lee-sunrise-on-loran

For more information contact the composer, Cynthia Cozette Lee, at Email: CynLee215@yahoo.comor visit her website at: https://www.cynthiacozettelee.com/

Jonathon Heyward, the 29-year-old classical music phenom whose skill on the conductor’s podium has generated international headlines, was named Thursday as the next music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

When Heyward begins his five-year contract in the fall of 2023, he will be the only Black American conductor leading a major U.S. symphony orchestra and just the second in history. He will be the BSO’s 13th music director.

“I think we are poised for great things at this moment,” said Brian Prechtl, chairman of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Players Committee and a member of the search committee seeking a successor for former music director Marin Alsop. “The hiring of Jonathon Heyward is going to be a marquee moment for The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.”

Heyward’s appointment occurred at warp speed in classical music terms, where the search for a new music director frequently can take two or three years. Initially, symphony officials said that a successor to Alsop, the first woman to helm a major American symphony, might not be appointed until the spring of 2024.