On March 18, Classical Music Indy will unveil the first season of Melanated Moments in Classical Music with a dynamic duo as co-hosts.
International opera star Angela Brown and music sociologist Joshua Thompson are featured on this exciting new podcast that explores composers and musicians of the African Diaspora in classical music who are often overlooked or neglected.
Brown’s glamorously bright personality and performance career paired with Joshua’s extensive knowledge of musical repertoire and history is irresistible. Balancing fun, lively commentary with no-nonsense straight talk, Joshua and Angela share a deep commitment to be a voice for black artists, as black artists.
Co-host Joshua Thompson reflected on the new venture. “We take you inside the music and explain the stories behind pieces. You’ll hear inside information you can only get from a seasoned, veteran performer like Angela!” he shared. Thompson was approached by Classical Music Indy to create a podcast that would draw on his personal experience with race and his zeal for researching musicians of color. Having worked with the soprano on other projects, Joshua asked her to co-host because he knew their personalities and strengths would compliment each other and result in an amazing show. “Angela was thrilled to do it and the project became a reality” he stated further.
Season One consist of six, 15- to 20-minute episodes featuring composers, lyricists, and performers William Grant Still, Evelyn Simpson Curenton, Thomas Wiggins, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou. The format is designed for people who like consuming information in small bites, but listeners still get plenty to contemplate. Thompson and Brown offer provocative insights and credible resources to pique listeners’ imaginations for further exploration if they so choose.
For some listeners, Melanated Moments will uncover a hidden trove of classical music they never knew existed. For those with a deep musical knowledge, stories reflecting the cultural context of the African Diaspora will offer a fresh perspective on black contributions in the world of classical music. Thompson adds, “If you’re wondering who this podcast is for, the answer is everyone! There’s something here for everyone.”
Classical Music Indy proudly welcomes CAAPA, the Coalition for African Americans in
the Performing Arts and Morning Brown, Inc., as the podcast’s official promotional partners for the first season. For more information and complete episode descriptions, please visit https://www.classicalmusicindy.org/podcasts/melanated-moments/
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