Letters to the Editor: Replies to ‘Let’s Talk about the English Choral Tradition’
"How many talented singers are we losing who encounter vocal fatigue or injury and assume that it is their fault? [By] implying that vocal fatigue equates to a lack of natural talent rather than framing it as a normal challenge that everyone will experience at different points of their career encourages the maintenance of the current veil of silence around vocal injury. We must encourage singers to seek help, be vulnerable, and understand that vocal challenges can be worked through."
CANTO: Let’s Talk About the English Choral Tradition
"Historically, the shorthand way of achieving an 'English sound' has been to ask singers to 'straighten that out,' which can often lead to physical tension, fatigue, burn out, and resentment. The word 'straight' has been so overused and developed such a reputation that it fills many singers with indignation..."
Early Music is Flowering on Philly’s Main Line, and Beyond
For Early Music Month, we check out a historical performance scene that is taking off in the north Philadelphia suburbs of Main Line and Bucks County, with quality ensembles and venues perfect for early music.
250 Years Ago, a Black Composer Etched Anti-Racism into his Music
Likely born into slavery, working as a butler and shopkeeper, Ignatius Sancho became an accomplished writer and composer. Embedded in his published music, the author argues, are anti-racist ideals that rejected British cultural norms.
Reflections on Walking Black in the Field of Historical Performance
'The opportunity for me to dream, create, and follow a path that I expected would hold me in good stead was, frankly, fraught with challenges. What do you do when you have been taught to believe in your creative gift only to be discouraged in overt and subtle ways in the profession?'
Sphinx Performance Academy Taps Early Music
The Sphinx Performance Academy introduces Black and Latine students (age 11-17) to period instruments and historical performance in an intensive, two-week summer camp. EMA is assisting the project with scholarships and free memberships.
CANTO: Finding the Baroque in Carnatic Classical Music
European Baroque and Indian classical have freedom within structure. As a singer you have so much agency. You start with melodic brilliance, and then the singer makes their mark on the composition through their use of ornamentation.
Rethinking the Harpsichord: Lillian Gordis in Conversation
Lillian Gordis has garnered high praise for her imaginative and substantive performances and recordings. In a wide-ranging discussion, Gordis and Ramsay talk about her precocious drive to make music on the harpsichord.
EMA’s Top 10 Most Popular of 2022
As 2022 comes to a close, check out EMA's 10 most popular features and reviews from the world of early music. For more news, profiles, and ideas, subscribe to EMA's weekly E-Notes newsletter.
Early to Rise: Multi-instrumentalist Peter Lim
Meet Peter Lim. In concert, he effortlessly switches between different families of instruments, from the harpsichord to Baroque oboe to recorders to the voice and more. A colleague calls him a 'once-in-a-generation talent'
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