After deciding that she needed a change in her life, Maria Ellis quit her job and returned to school to earn a degree in Music Education. Today, she's leads choirs and hosts a genre-bending radio show called "Bach and Beyoncé". She talks with Garrett about this, what she believes makes a piece of music "classical", and her hopes for the radio industry. Scott reacts to a newly released recording of early 20th century Afro-American musicians, and Garrett addresses issues with the Sphinx Organization and the group, International Double Reed Discussions.

Playlist:

John Philip Sousa - "Stars and Stripes Forever"

Scott Lindroth - "Spin Cycle"

Kronos Quartet/Meklit - "The President Sang Amazing Grace"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Horn Concerto No. 1

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Sull'aria (from "The Marriage of Figaro")

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Singt dem großen Bassa Lieder (from "The Abduction from the Seraglio"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Bassoon Concerto in B-flat

Traditional - "Cradle Song"

Traditional - "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen"

Keyshia Cole - "Love"

The Wiz - "Brand New Day"

Beyoncé - Countdown

Beyoncé - Flaws and All

Clifton Joey Guidry III - Voices of the Ancestors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxGOq0IklTE&feature=emb_title)

More:

Downbeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqrBK9wmHl8

Maria Ellis: https://girlconductor.com/about-me

LISTEN to Bach and Beyoncé: https://classic1073.org/bach-beyonce/

Amanda Gorman: https://www.theamandagorman.com

History of Amazing Grace: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/how-sweet-the-sound-amazing-grace-writer-overcame-a-racist-past

Michelle Obama at the Inauguration: https://people.com/style/michelle-obama-wears-monochrome-outfit-by-black-designer-sergio-hudson-biden-inauguration/

Mozart on the Yard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hfe_1Fny-Q

Sphinx Competition Finalists 2021: https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20211/28614/

Statement from Clifton Joey Guidry III: https://www.facebook.com/colorsofclassicalmusic/posts/375569870461885