In a recent Chicago Tribune article Howard Reich wrote about the possible closing of Columbia College of Chicago’s Center for Black Music Research.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with CBMR, it is the archive of all things related to black music.  Looking for classical music composed by African

I haven’t posted anything recently due to our crazy schedule at the Chicago Sinfonietta and because I haven’t been inspired to share anything with you for awhile. Earlier this week that all changed.

One of my board members, Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, who is a neurologist, sent me an article on recent research about the perceptions of women conductors that got my blood boiling. Read the article below and then post your reactions to this with our readers.

I’m guessing that most of you have seen or heard about Yo-Yo Ma’s encounter with the wombat on Tuesday night at the Harris Theater.  I happened to be in attendance that night as the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion musicians performed with Yo-Yo and members of the Civic Orchestra as a part of the Chicago Community Trust’s 96^th Anniversary celebration. 

Jeri Lynne Johnson is the Founder and Music Director of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra in Philadelphia.  She will be co-conducting the Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. concerts with Mei-Ann Chen on January 15^th in Naperville and January 16^th at Symphony Center. 

I want your advice.  The Chicago Sinfonietta recently began a twelve-days promotion that we think is kind of fun, maybe a little bit creative, and hopefully somewhat viral in nature.  It is on this latter point that I need your advice.  What should we do to make this thing go viral?  Here http://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/twelve-days-and-ways/ is a link to our 12 Days, 12 Ways holiday gift idea promotion.