World Music Series Returns: Sounds of China

Wenzhuo Zhang with the Yangquin, or Chinese hammered dulcimer Eastman brings back its popular Barbara B. Smith World Music Series in a set of free virtual concerts this spring. Sponsored by Eastman’s Ethnomusicology program, part of the department of Musicology, guest artists representing different musical traditions from across the world will be streamed live at…

“Why are there no women up there?”

By Teresa Ringholz Teresa Ringholz is Voice Department Chair at the Eastman Community Music School. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Vocal Performance from Eastman, as well as the Performer’s Certificate. She sang professionally in Europe for 20 years, has taught privately for over 25 years, and was an Adjunct Professor of Voice at…

American Anthem: Philharmonia’s “Star-Spangled Banner” for the 21st Century

Austin Chanu rehearsing Banner with the Philharmonia strings in Kodak Hall. Photograph by Maurice Cohn.   By David Raymond On Monday, October 19, in a livestreamed concert, the strings of the Eastman Philharmonia will perform Banner, a 2014 work by the contemporary American composer Jessie Montgomery. Master’s conducting student Austin Chanu will conduct this work,…

“Creating a Community Conversation”: Virtual Visionaries Brings Musicians Together Online

By David Raymond How do musicians and other creative and performing artists – members of a tight-knit community – function in their careers when that community is fractured? What are the performing possibilities when public performances are canceled? These scenarios became reality overnight with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting closure of schools…