Shows
Piano Pedagogy PlaylistRCM Celebration Series Spotlight: Three Contemporary Pieces for Intermediate StudentsThe "Celebration Series" of repertoire books published by the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto have been a longtime favorite source of mine for discovering new pieces by living composers. Updated every seven years, I always find fresh pieces that eventually become old favorites. This week, I highlight three options for intermediate students from the level four, five, and six books- Peter Rudzik’s whimsical Happy Grasshopper, Nkeiru Okoye’s beautifully atmospheric Dusk, and the energetic Running for the Bus by Alexina Louie.
Truly Astounding Animals, by Paul Rudzik
African Sketches, by Nkeiru Okoye
Small Beau...
2025-09-0112 min
Modern NotebookModern Notebook for June 16, 2025On the next Modern Notebook with Tyler Kline: Hear music by Valerie Coleman that embodies the common threads of community and empathy, reminding us that we are one people; a violin and flute duo by Carlos Simon that's stir crazy; and a piece for two saxophones by Katahj Copley called K-R-O-N-O.Then: Hear Lalin by Nathalie Joachim — a piece conceived under the moon and stars on her family’s farm in the Haitian countryside; Sunny X by Tyondai Braxton, continuing his experiments with electronics and live percussionists; and pieces for saxophone by Shelley Washington and Evan Williams.
2025-06-161h 59
What's Your Legacy?Angela Brown: A Soprano's LegacyAngela Brown's passion for her gifts is evident in her conversation with Yvette. Angela personifies the ideal soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse; and shimmering, high pianissimos. With captivating star power, she unites opera, pops, and gospel in one sensational voice. She has graced the leading opera and symphonic stages on six continents. Performances in 2024 included two world premieres: the soprano solo for award-winning composer Nkeiru Okoye's new work, "When the Caged Bird Sings," inspired by the life of Dr. Maya Angelou. She also reprised the role of Addie Parker in Charlie Parker's Yardbird with the Indianapolis...
2025-03-1331 min
What's Your Legacy?Angela Brown: A Soprano's LegacyAngela Brown's passion for her gifts is evident in her conversation with Yvette. Angela personifies the ideal soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse; and shimmering, high pianissimos. With captivating star power, she unites opera, pops, and gospel in one sensational voice. She has graced the leading opera and symphonic stages on six continents. Performances in 2024 include two world premieres. Angela will sing the soprano solo for award-winning composer Nkeiru Okoye's new work, "When the Caged Bird Sings," inspired by the life of Dr. Maya Angelou. She will reprise the role of Addie Parker in Charlie Parker's Yardbird...
2024-03-0731 min
Scare UThe Mephisto Waltz (1971) with David CoteWhen music journalist Myles Clarkson visits ailing piano virtuoso Duncan Ely at his palatial California home, ostensibly to interview the man, Duncan notices something distinct about Myles: his hands – they’re beautiful, the bone structure perfect for a concert pianist. Myles, it turns out, is a Juilliard-trained musician whose career tanked after receiving some bad reviews. Taking an interest in Myles, Duncan introduces him to his artist daughter Roxanne. Soon Myles has entered the pianist’s inner circle, much to the chagrin of Myles’ wife, Paula, who feels more than a tinge of jealousy at the attention being paid to her husb...
2024-02-051h 22
Inside the Music: The Reno Phil PodcastNovember 11 and 12, 2023: Nakamatsu Plays BrahmsReno Phil Music Director and Conductor Laura Jackson talks with Chris Morrison about the second concert of the 2023-24 Reno Phil season, on November 11 and 12, 2023, featuring Voices Shouting Out by Nkeiru Okoye, the Symphony No. 6 by Jean Sibelius, and the Piano Concerto No. 1 by Johannes Brahms, with piano soloist Jon Nakamatsu.
2023-11-0729 min
Melanated Moments in Classical MusicCracking Classical Music’s Cultural Code with Nkeiru OkoyeIn this episode, Angela and Joshua introduce our listening audience to 2021 Guggenheim Fellow, composer, and lyricist, Nkeiru Okoye. As one of the most sought after composers and creative minds of the 21st century, Okoye provides an exuberant account into her musical influences, training, and invaluable approach to scoring Black history as a way to engage, educate, and entertain audiences of the future. Featured Music:"Nothing but the Grave," Harriet Tubman - Nkeiru Okoye, composer - Janinah Burnett, vocalist - Briana Hunter, vocalist - Harlem Chamber Players, string quintet"Tribute 1: Shout," Black Bottom Symphony - Nk...
2023-09-2740 min
Art Works PodcastMeet a force in Contemporary Music: Gil Rose
Gil Rose is a conductor and the founder and artistic director of the performing and recording ensemble the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), which is dedicated exclusively to commissioning, performing, and recording music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and Odyssey Opera which is dedicated to performing lesser-known older operas as well as contemporary new works. Rose is also the founder of BMOP/Sound, BMOP’s independent record label, which was created in 2008 to provide a platform for BMOP’s (and then Odyssey’s) extensive archive of music.
In this podcast, Gil Rose shares his motivati...
2023-07-1139 min
TEEM Leadership RadioDiversifying the World of Classical Music - Dr. Nkeiru OkoyeHailed by the New York Times as "gripping" and "evocative," Dr. Nkeiru Okoye has been commissioned by Juilliard's Preparatory Division to build a more diverse, inclusive future for young classical musicians. This interview with Dr. Okoye brought listeners into an intimate conversation about her revolutionary work that welcomes and affirms both traditional and new audiences. From her moving piece, "Invitation to a Die-In," which addresses the slaying of unarmed black men to the delightfully whimsical sounds of "Briar Patch," Dr. Okoye is blazing trails for generations to come!NKEIRU OKOYE is an American-born composer of African American and...
2023-02-011h 14
Musicians vs the World2022 in Review: Reflections and Updates!As we at the Musicians vs the World Podcast say goodbye to 2022, Christine takes a moment to look back to the amazing guests and conversations we’ve hosted over the past 12 months. She also takes a few minutes to give some interesting updates to a few of our previous conversations!
Guests Featured in this episode:
Dr. Renee-Paule Gauthier https://www.mindoverfinger.com/about
Dr. Kensley Behel https://www.kensleybehel.com/
Sam Rothstein https://www.candidclarinetistpodcast.com/
Joel Dallow https://www.thecellosherpa.com/
Christina Hughes
Bill Davis
Pat Irwin https://patirwinmusic.com/
Dr. BeiBei Lin http://www.beibeilin.com/
Dr. Jonathan Ro...
2022-12-2324 min
Detrás de las PartiturasDetrás de Lia Cimaglia EspinosaA 116 años del nacimiento de Lia Cimaglia Espinosa, hoy recordamos una gran historia que supo cosechar elogios, no solo en su país natal, sino también en todo el mundo. Una argentina que hizo vibrar con su música al mundo entero.
Acá bajo te dejo todas las mujeres que también hicieron historia en cada rincón del planeta.
Julio
1 julio
Alicia Terzian
2 Julio
Adelaide Pereira da Silva
8 julio
Johanna Kinkel
9 julio
(Agnes) Elisabeth Lutyens, CBE
10 Julio
Sophia Maria Westenholz (née Elenore ...
2022-09-0420 min
Musicians vs the WorldMusic For Social Change: Dr. Nkeiru Okoye Part 2Dr. Nkeiru Okoye is committed to creating music that engages communities and affects social change. In part two of their conversation, Christine and Dr. Okoye explore what it takes to engage communities through new music, and the impact that music makes on people and society at large. It's a genuine inside look into the mind, heart, and compositional process of a modern composer.
2022-06-2624 min
Musicians vs the World"My Name is Nkeiru Okoye": A conversation with composer Dr. Nkeiru OkoyeComposer Dr. Nkeiru Okoye's music defies categorization. She is an expert at fuzing different musical styles and genres into her music, and injecting humanity into difficult subjects. Her mission is to create music that engages communities and affects social change. In part 1 of this 2-part episode, Dr. Okoye takes time out of her busy schedule to talk with Christine about her inspiring life story. From a shy little girl whose teacher tells her she'd never have a life in music, to becoming 2021's Guggenheim Fellow in music composition, composer Dr. Nkeiru Okoye's life story is a masterclass in grit, talent...
2022-06-1234 min
The ScoreMore Than "The Black Mozart" (w/Dr. Julian Ledford)Greetings, dear Scorekeepers! It's time for episode 26 of THE SCORE! This week is the first time we've all been together since the tragic death of Amir Locke, here in Minneapolis. So we invite you to process with us and invite you to join us in a conversation about what artists and arts organizations can and should do in the face of such senseless tragedy (0:04:16). Then, it's the conclusion of our three-part series on Black composer, Joseph Bologne! Today, we are so happy to be joined by Dr. Julian Ledford, Assistant Professor of French and French Studies at Sewanee, University...
2022-02-211h 32The ScoreTHE BEST OF 2021, PT. 1Hey hey, Scorekeepers! Oh lord, it's a blizzard! It's officially snowing here in the Twin Cities, so we thought it appropriate to start the winter and end the year on a cozy and nostalgic note. It's Part 1 of our Best of 2021 series! This year we've had some provocative conversations, met some amazing people, and had a lot of fun. So come along as we take a look back at this wild and wonderful year on THE SCORE! Plus, we pay tribute to Bill Cottman, a Twin Cities arts legend who recently passed on to glory, and of course we'll...
2021-12-131h 15
Sound PerimeterSound Perimeter: African American VoicesIn today's Sound Perimeter, University of Arkansas music professor Lia Uribe celebrates the voices of African American composers that have documented the history of the USA in and with their music. We hear music today by Florence Price, Geroge Walker and Nkeiru Okoye.
2021-10-2109 minThe ScoreOnce More for the People in the Back (w/Dr. Nkeiru Okoye)Hello, dear Scorekeepers! And welcome to a jam-packed ninth episode of The Score. On today's episode, we voyage all the way to the stars and back with a quick chat about Rocky's recent reading with acclaimed Black astrologer Mecca Woods, followed by a dip into MN Opera's newly announced 2021-22 Season, and a conversation about our conflicted feelings around the well-intentioned acronym BIPOC. Then sit back, relax and enjoy a super-sized and super soul-cleansing interview with our guest, composer and recent Guggenheim Fellow Dr. Nkeiru Okoye. We're honored to have Dr. Okoye with us to share a bit about...
2021-06-251h 45
Speaking of the ArtsMay 29, 2020 - The Arts from your Sofa part 51On this week's trip around the arts, host Diana Moxon finds out from director Barbie Banks what Ragtag Cinema is doing to get ready for its reopening next week; Tryps' director Jill Womack talks about the silver lining of reinventing their summer camp program into the virtual realm; the Missouri Symphony Orchestra's Monica Palmer introduces Diana to contemporary female composer Nkeiru Okoye; Skylark's Alex George chats about the world of independent bookstores, and a new biography of George Washington; and Stephens College's Jennifer Hemphill and husband John Hemphill, both former Broadway actors, talk about the shuttering of the world's most...
2020-05-2959 min
The Indie Opera PodcastPodcast 030, Nkeiru Okoye and Programming Halloween OperasWhat would you program for a Haloween Opera? and Nkeiru Okoye about her opera on the life of Harriet Tubman
2016-10-231h 10
Tollans musikaliskaAfroamerikaner och klassisk musik 3Medverkar gör fagottisten Monica Ellis i ensemblen Imani Winds, tonsättaren Nkeiru Okoye och countertenoren Darryl Taylor. Monica Ellis bor i Harlem och spelar fagott i blåskvintetten Imani Winds, vilket betyder tillit och förtroende på swahili. Gruppen, tre kvinnor och två män, firar 2017 tjugoårsjubileum! - Klangen och färgerna i instrumenten är unika, annorlunda än stråkkvartetter eller pianotrios. Våra gemensamma musikaliska rötter är mångfaldiga: klassisk musik, jazz, rythmnblues och negro spirituals säger Monica Ellis. Vi är stolta över att representera våra rötter på det här sättet. Nkeiru Okoye k...
2016-07-1938 min
Tollans musikaliskaAfroamerikaner och klassisk musik 2Medverkar gör tonsättarna Nkeiru Okoye, Julius Williams och Adolphus Hailstork. Alla tre vill bidra till kulturen hos de människor som har lidit så mycket, afroamerikanerna. Nkeiru Okoye känner sin pappas släktingar i Nigeria. Men mammans förfäder är okända eftersom de kidnappades någonstans i Afrika och anonymt anlände till den amerikanska kontinenten med slavskepp. Hennes svit The Journey of Phillis Wheatley handlar om slavflickan som ställdes inför rätta, anklagad för att vara en intellektuell bedragare. Phillis Wheatley blev första afroamerikanska kvinna i USA som gav ut en bok. År...
2016-07-1241 min
Musikmagasinet"Stolta över att representera våra kulturella rötter"Det tredje programmet av tio i Birgitta Tollans serie How sweet the sound. Medverkar gör fagottisten Monica Ellis, tonsättaren Nkeiru Okoye och countertenoren Darryl Taylor. Monica Ellis bor i Harlem och spelar fagott i blåskvintetten Imani Winds, vilket betyder tillit och förtroende på swahili. Gruppen, fyra kvinnor och en man, har existerat i 16 år.
- Klangen och färgerna i instrumenten är unika, annorlunda än stråkkvartetter eller pianotrios. Våra gemensamma musikaliska rötter är mångfaldiga: klassisk musik, jazz, rythm’nblues och negro spirituals säger Monica Ellis. Vi är stolta äver att representera vå...
2013-11-2038 minMusikmagasinet”Hylla våra triumfer och spegla våra vedermödor”Det andra programmet av tio i Birgitta Tollans serie How sweet the sound. Medverkar gör tonsättarna Nkeiru Okoye, Julius Williams och Adolphus Hailstork. Nkeiru Okoye känner sin pappas släktingar i Nigeria. Men mammans förfäder är okända eftersom de kidnappades någonstans i Afrika och anonymt anlände till den amerikanska kontinenten med slavskepp. Hennes svit The Journey of Phillis Wheatley handlar om slavflickan som ställdes inför rätta, anklagad för att vara en intellektuell bedragare. Phillis Wheatley blev första afroamerikanska kvinna i USA som gav ut en bok. Året var 1...
2013-11-2041 min