This concept, for a library music series, started with a presentation at the Deanwood Library, here in DC, of a session on “ragtime” –as Eubie Blake called it; he’d use that word all his life, unable to utter the term ‘jazz’ because of its unsavory connotations, which he learned from his days playing the keyboard at a bordello..
..to take in the fact that its past the middle of summer! TV commercials have already turned to the ‘back to school’ tide, and offer exuberant examples of the full fall color palette.. kids in school back packs.. beaming, and ready for a return to the classroom!
The world gets smaller; shivers run round the globe in a matter of hours –whether economic, or tectonic. There is also some sense of far reaching synchronicity; looking for it, in arts programming, is a way of discovering partners who might be far flung in proximity, but share ideological synergy; partners who aim to connect within local community needs, and create programs that are flexible, sustainable, and resonate with celebration of the local society. Regardless of how distant such models are reaching out brings home commonality.
Politics aside, I found myself watching Tavis Smiley the other day, because of Jessey Norman, glowing in hot pink, looking fresh and very lively, in conversation with him regarding her upcoming concert with an emerging new orchestra, MUSE/IQUE, in Pasadena, and attesting that, despite the classical music industry’s continuing bad news with regards to the fiscal health of so many of the more established music makers, there is also a current in this country, trying to ignite new opportun
On April 30, 1980, my father sat before the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, in DC. Senator Harrison Williams, of New Jersey, was the Chairman, and read into the record.. “..Dr Thomas Minter has been nominated as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education and will be responsible for maintenance and implementation of $4.8 billion of Federal assistance to State and local education agencies, authorities, and professional persons. Dr.