Esteban Salas y Castro - a Cuban composer believed to be of Spanish and African heritage who worked as an organist, choirmaster, teacher, and composer. His music was rediscovered in the 1940s and included so many glorious gems, like this beautiful Salve Maria!
Rachel Baptist
A celebrated Black Irish singer, known for singing works by Thomas Arne, George Frideric Handel, and other popular music from the 1700s... meet Rachel Baptist!
Inclusive Music Theory
Thinking ahead to curriculum for next year and looking for a broader or more inclusive perspective? Check out this resource!
Sawney Freeman
Confronting the past can be uncomfortable but it's SO important not only to inform our present but also to keep from losing contributions of forgotten musicians like Sawney Freeman. What an important effort from the Episcopal church, library, and musician communities in Connecticut! Make sure to watch the video as well to hear his music!
Bayard Rustin
Many people recognize the name "Bayard Rustin" in connection with the Civil Rights movement. But what do you know about Bayard Rustin, the musician?
Praeter rerum seriem
I was introduced to this amazing piece by Vicente Lusitano last week for a concert at the Gardner Museum! Josquin's setting of this text is better known, but this one is GORGEOUS. More Lusitano, please!
Castello Sonata Prima!
My listening examples are often vocal music (a side effect of being a singer), but what about the development of instrumental solo genres? Early Music Sources takes this on in a fantastic video with shoutouts to Dario Castello and Salomone Rossi!
Handel as Orpheus
Let's talk about Handel - not about Messiah - and about how composers are just normal humans (or as normal as anyone else may be).
Revisiting Handel as Orpheus - an interview with Dr. Ellen Harris
Black Early Music
Looking for resources on Black composers and performers this Juneteenth? Here’s a roundup of what I’ve found so far!
Sephardic Choral Music
"Sacred choral music" doesn't have to mean "Christian" - here's a fantastic snapshot of Sephardic choral repertoire! (Shout out to Ian Pomerantz for the excellent article!)