February 26, 2025

One of the nice things about the internet is that geography doesn’t matter. I’m sitting here in a small, quiet town in Michigan and I’m able to interview people from all around the world. I’ve interviewed folks from Australia, Germany, Canada, Poland, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic as well as cities big and small in the U.S. While I was aware that new books were being written and new art was being created, I didn’t realize how much new classical music is being created and performed. It’s very encouraging to know that, despite the lack of acknowledgment from the big media companies, new artists are still able to thrive.

It’s also fascinating to see how the marketing has evolved. Small boutique publishing and record labels, self publishing, pop-up art galleries, and online marketplaces big and small. Although artists aren’t getting rich they are earning a living. As long as we’re willing to change with the times I think we have a bright future ahead of us.

In case you missed it…

I had a wonderful conversation with the unique and eclectic guitarist/composer Stepan Rak in Sunday’s podcast. I hope you get a chance to catch it.

Coming up…

This week I interview writer/librettist Deborah Brevoort. She’s written lyrics for nine operas, several musicals and more. It was a fascinating interview with a very talented woman. Please join us as we talk about her work as a writer, teacher, and advocate.

In other news…

BACH Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana and Sarah Riskind are performing Lee Kesselman’s “Kadosh/Benedictus” for Brass Quintet and Organ This Sunday, March 2, at 7:30 at the 1st United Methodist Church in Champaign, Illinois.