Tag: music

Composer Writes Original Piece for JCPS Music Students

Jefferson County Public Schools students will perform an original piece of music from a renowned composer this week. Music director at the JCPS Youth Performing Art’s School (YPAS) Todd Parker said he reached out to composer David Maslanka last year following a rehearsal of another of his compositions from YPAS students. Maslanka agreed to compose… Continue reading Composer Writes Original Piece for JCPS Music Students

Finnish Composer Salonen’s Violin Concerto Wins Grawemeyer Award

The 2012 Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition will go to Esa-Pekka Salonen’s “Violin Concerto.” The 30-minute piece debuted in 2009. It is at times somber and at times raucous and discordant. Salonen also believes it is the first time a modern drum set has been incorporated into a violin concerto. Award director Marc Satterwhite makes special… Continue reading Finnish Composer Salonen’s Violin Concerto Wins Grawemeyer Award

Ear-X-Tacy Will Reopen to Pay Bills, Honor Customers

Louisville’s iconic music store Ear-X-Tacy will try selling off its remaining merchandise this weekend when its doors open for the last time. The store was forced to close last month after owner John Timmons struggled to maintain a working business model. Ear-X-Tacy still owes several vendors various amounts of money, he said.

Ear X-Tacy Closure Could Affect Live Music Venues

When John Timmons announced that his music store Ear X-Tacy was closed for good on Monday, it ended the speculation that began on Saturday, when the store didn’t open. But there’s more uncertainty around Ear X-Tacy’s closure, though it’s not all coming from fans. Promoters, venue owners and other retailers could all affected by the… Continue reading Ear X-Tacy Closure Could Affect Live Music Venues

Ear X-Tacy Leaves Void in Music Promotions and Bookings

The closure of the Ear X-Tacy record store has surprised much of Louisville’s music community, but the effect could be even more widespread. Ear X-Tacy has frequently been a key player in the SoundScan system that tracks album sales. Sales at the store were often weighted. Depending on the year, one album sold at Ear… Continue reading Ear X-Tacy Leaves Void in Music Promotions and Bookings

Orchestra Woes Continue, Both Sides Face Difficult Futures

Neither side has blinked in the Louisville Orchestra labor dispute, and both the management and the musicians are facing difficult futures and the potential end of the orchestra. The management now plans to follow through on threats to go against union wishes and hire a 50-member replacement orchestra. Finding 50 talented nonunion players will be… Continue reading Orchestra Woes Continue, Both Sides Face Difficult Futures

Louisville’s Western Middle School Surprised With New Instruments

An investment firm has donated new instruments to Western Middle School’s music program. Band students were presented the instruments in a surprise announcement Tuesday morning. A new violin, trumpet and cello were among the ten instruments handed to 7th and 8th grade band students who then played them for the first time. Fidelity Investments donated… Continue reading Louisville’s Western Middle School Surprised With New Instruments

My Morning Jacket to Visit On Point

Three members of Louisville’s My Morning Jacket (Jim James, Tom Blankenship and Patrick Hallahan) will talk with Tom Ashbrook today on On Point. WFPL will air the interview at 3:00 pm and it looks like it will be a Kentucky-centric show. They’re a fixture on the indie rock circuit. Hippie shamans, more Radiohead than Doors, says Rolling… Continue reading My Morning Jacket to Visit On Point

Orchestra Musicians Form New Organization, Will Host Free Concerts

The concerts will be free, but donations will be accepted. Musicians Association chair Kim Tichenor says the idea for Keep Louisville Symphonic grew out of negotiations between the musicians and orchestra management. She says the musicians wanted to raise money to close a budget gap, but the management insisted on pay cuts and a smaller orchestra.