A growing cadre of music fans have joined the Spotify tattoo craze as a conversation starter or a way to commemorate sentimental favorites like wedding first-dance songs. But while many on social media tout the tats and how well they scan, some are starting to discover that nothing in life is permanent, even tattoos. - The Wall Street Journal
Yes, this was one of the orphanages where girls were taught music to a high level by the likes of Vivaldi. The music room of the Ospedaletto (not Vivaldi's institution) has a fresco with a singer holding still-legible sheet music — which musicologist Marica Tacconi set out to identify. - The Conversation
Orin O'Brien, now 88, played double bass in the Phil for 55 years, retiring in 2021. She chose the instrument because she likes being in the background (not least because her parents were 1930s movie stars), and she would just cringe when Lenny complimented her by name. - The New York Times
Jennifer Miller Hammel, who created the channel, called Arcade: “We tried to eliminate that roadblock of, Well, is this going to be too scary for a classical audience? But then also, is there a way that we can introduce some classical music to a gaming audience?" - The New York Times
"The CSO swung to a $1.4 million operating deficit from (a surplus) of $1.7 million last year. Driving the red ink was a 15% rise in operating expenses to $77 million (and) the drying up of pandemic relief funds." This despite second-highest-ever ticket income of $22.1 million. - Crain's Chicago Business
Vann R. Newkirk II, based on the diaries of Ella Sheppard, the group's first pianist and composer, and on materials in the historically black university's archives, recounts how the group came together in the 1870s to help save the impoverished school — and created a great American genre of music. - MSN (The Atlantic)
Today Black folk performers have reached a critical mass and level of exposure not seen since the early decades of the 20th century, when Black bands like Cannon’s Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band were among the most commercially popular in the country. - The New York Times
Female acts make up seven of the eight nominees in the top three categories — with SZA leading the pack with nine overall nominations while Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and boygenius earned six nods a piece. - The Hollywood Reporter
Sadiq Fitrat Nashenas, one of the last living stars of a golden era for Afghan music, fled the Taliban in 1991, settled in London and performed for audiences throughout the diaspora for 12 years. Last month, he sang in public for the first time in two decades. - The New York Times
When activating people’s innate artistry, teaching artists can guide that energy toward many goals. My analysis of employment in the field finds seven major goals teaching artists are hired to deliver. - Symphony
The State Department ran a major cultural diplomacy program during the mid-20th century, sending some of America's most prominent performers on overseas tours. Best remembered today are visits to Communist Eastern Europe, but the program was active in Latin America as well — with Copland as its leading light. - San Francisco Classical Voice
