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Black Performers

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Open Ears: The Endlessly Unfolding Story of Margaret Bonds

Explore the underappreciated life and work of Margaret Bonds, a pioneering Black composer and pianist, whose music is still being discovered 46 years after her death.

06/08/2026
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Open Ears: The Groundbreaking, All-Too-Brief Life of Calvin Simmons

"Discover the life and legacy of Calvin Simmons, the first African American to lead a major American orchestra, whose contributions to classical music are at risk of being forgotten."

02/27/2026
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Open Ears: The Trailblazing Journey of Rudolph Dunbar

Explore the life of Rudolph Dunbar, the first Black man to conduct the Berlin and London Philharmonics, his fight for racial equality, and his mysterious career decline.

02/25/2026
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Crossings: 6 Pieces By Black Composers Whose Inspirations and Innovations Have Helped Define Our American Sound

Explore the rich history and contributions of Black composers in American music, from pioneers like Florence Price to contemporary artists like Kris Bowers and Jon Batiste.

02/17/2026
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Nora Holt: Free-Spirited Composer of the Harlem Renaissance

Explore the life of Nora Douglas Holt, a pioneering African-American composer, singer, and critic from the Harlem Renaissance, whose contributions to music remain largely unappreciated.

02/14/2026
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Artists Expanding the Classical Landscape

In February, enjoy this selection of remarkable composers, performers, and musical leaders as they share their favorite music with you.

02/10/2026
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Classical Californians: Althea Waites

Classical Californian pianist Althea Waites shares her favorite performances, including works by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and Verdi.

03/27/2024

Shows

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Crossings

Classical California Resident Artist Lara Downes will bring you two hours of music from Black composers whose inspirations and innovations help define our American sound—from Scott Joplin and Florence Price to Wynton Marsalis and Jon Batiste.

RELATED TOPICS

Black ComposersOpen EarsClassical CaliforniansWomen in ClassicalConducting

MORE TO DISCOVER

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Classical Californians: John Mario Di Costanzo

This week's Classical Californian is is conductor, pianist, and educator John Mario Di Costanzo, Music Director of the Temecula Valley Symphony and the Coachella Valley Symphony.

10/31/2026
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Classical Californians: Etienne Gara Part 2

This week our Classical Californian is violinist Etienne Gara, founder and Artistic Director of Delirium Musicum

10/28/2026
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Clara Schumann Returns to the Limelight

Explore the life of Clara Schumann, a leading pianist of the Romantic era, who defied norms, balanced family and career, and whose work is gaining recognition.

10/26/2026
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Classical Californians: Steven Schick

This week on Classical Californians, Percussionist, conductor, educator, and contemporary music pioneer Steven Schick shares a playlist featuring works by Iannis Xenakis, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, John Luther Adams, and Olivier Messiaen.

10/03/2026
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Classical Californians: Alexander Shelley

This week on Classical Californians, conductor and Music Director of Pacific Symphony, Alexander Shelley, shares a special recording of his parents, pianists Hilary Macnamara and Howard Shelley.

09/26/2026
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Classical Californians: Hunter Noack

This week on Classical Californians, we feature Hunter Noack, a pianist and the founder of IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild, an outdoor concert series that brings a Steinway grand piano to parks, forests, deserts, and other natural settings across the American West.

09/20/2026