Each year, Charlotte Master Chorale presents a "Unity Concert" with the goal of building bridges in the community through the shared experience of choral music. This year's concert is called "Unity: Earth" and is Saturday, March 9 at 4pm at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte. The ensemble will perform the North Carolina premiere of Jake Runestad's EMMY® Award winning Earth Symphony which presents a view of humanity from the point of view of Mother Earth. Jake Runestad and Charlotte Master Chorale Artistic Director Kenney Potter are guests on this episode of the Piedmont Arts podcast where they talk about the composer's work and the aspirations of the "Unity" concerts. Learn more about the Charlotte Master Chorale "Unity Concert" Pictured: Jake Runestad photo by Michael Markowski. Jake Runestad , composer Kenney Potter , Artistic Director

One of the most extraordinary figures in American classical music is someone you may never have heard of. Mary Cardwell Dawson, born in 1894 in Madison, NC, was a musician, teacher, and founding director of the National Negro Opera Company, the longest-running, all-Black opera company which helped launch the careers of many singers. Now her story is being told in a 'play with music', The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson , which is being produced by Opera Carolina and stars internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. In this episode, she tells us about Dawson’s determination and accomplishments. Learn more about Opera Carolina's production of The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson Pictured: Denyce Graves; by Devon Cass/IMG Artists.

Research suggests there are significant neurological and academic benefits to children who learn to play a musical instrument. However, most school systems wait until 6th grade to offer band or orchestra programs, and many kids simply do not have access to instrumental instruction until it's offered at school. Cornelius Youth Orchestras wants to change that and has launched “Musical Pathways Initiative,” a groundbreaking program designed to provide access and opportunities for elementary aged students in the Lake Norman region to learn an instrument. Cornelius Youth Orchestras executive director Eric Boruff talks about the Initiative and how kids in the area can benefit. Learn more about the Musical Pathways Initiative

Burnt Reeds is a reed quintet of local professional instrumentalists. Their concert called "Homegrown Melodies" features newly commissioned works by local composers. It's a project that brings together not only composers but also music producers, local independent mixed media artists, and of course musicians -- from a variety of backgrounds. Three members of Burnt Reeds—Dr. Dylan Lloyd, Dr. Jessica Lindsey, and Teil Taliesin—talk about their interest in creating opportunities for local artists to collaborate and share their creations with the community. Learn more about the Burnt Reeds "Homegrown Melodies" Concert at Free Range Brewery Pictured: Burnt Reeds after their Providence Chamber Music Series concert./Facebook

The Charlotte Master Chorale's Chamber Singers will present concerts called "Art & Science" at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte and Davidson College Presbyterian Church in Davidson. The centerpiece of the concerts is a multi-media symphony, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci , by composer Jocelyn Hagen. The work uses the latest video syncing technology to bring Leonardo's words and drawings to life and provides an immersive, multi-sensory experience very different from a typical concert performance. In this episode, hear Hagen talk about her creation and its inspiration. Charlotte Master Chorale artistic director Kenney Potter joins her. Learn more about the Charlotte Master Chorale's Chamber Singers Art & Science Concerts Jocelyn Hagen , composer Kenney Potter , Artistic Director

North Carolina Baroque Orchestra will perform concerts called "Splendid Music from the Time of King George III and Queen Charlotte" in locations across the Charlotte region. The program includes works by Chevalier de Saint Georges, Handel, Mozart, Avison, and others. Frances Blaker, the ensemble's artistic director and conductor, explains how the concerts' theme ties into the history of Charlotte. And she talks about the research she and the other musicians did to present the music the way it would have been heard in Queen Charlotte's time. Learn more about the Splendid Music from the Time of King George III and Queen Charlotte Concert

The inaugural Black Notes Project Music Festival makes it debut at Charlotte's Knight Theater. The two-day festival celebrates and amplifies Black music and artistry and will honor the classical orchestral tradition while situating it alongside contemporary musical innovation. Nationally known artists such as harpist Brandee Younger and opera singer Tunde are featured along with musicians from the Charlotte community including members of the Charlotte Strings collective and the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. On a new Piedmont Arts episode, festival organizers Michael L. Kitchen and Dr. Amy Carleton talk about the origins of the Black Notes Project Music Festival and their hopes for its future. Learn more about the Black Notes Project Music Festival

The Metropolitan Opera's Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition has auditions across the country. The competition is designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist the development of their careers. The North Carolina District holds auditions and approximately 25 singers will compete to move on to Regionals in Atlanta. The event is open to the public. Steven LaCosse, Auditions Director for the Met Competition in North Carolina, explains why the competition is such an important opportunity for young artists to grow and why it’s a great event to attend. Learn more about The Metropolitan Opera's Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition -->

After a search that has lasted more than two years, the Charlotte Symphony has announced their next Music Director: Kwamé Ryan. Originally from Trinidad, Ryan has an impressive resume and has worked around the globe. He was General Music Director of the Freiburg Opera from 1999 to 2003 and Musical and Artistic Director of the National Orchestra of Bordeaux Aquitaine between 2007 and 2013. His most recent appointment is Director of the Academy for the Performing Arts at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.  Ryan will start his tenure with the Charlotte Symphony in the 2024 - 2025 season. On this edition of Piedmont Arts, we talk with Kwamé Ryan about his new appointment. He talks about why he wanted to come to Charlotte, what to expect in the coming season, and how he approaches life and work in general. Pictured: Kwamé Ryan/courtesy Charlotte Symphony.

Caritas a Cappella ensemble presents a concert of Christmas and holiday music in Charlotte. The set will include settings of familiar carols as well as beautiful motets written by modern and Renaissance composers. And this time, the ensemble will be led by their new artistic director, Dr. Jeremy Mims. By day, Jeremy is Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Wintrhop University, but he recently stepped in to take the helm from Caritas founder, Cathy Youngblood. He talks with WDAV about the unique qualities of the group which specializes in a cappella singing and about the music on their Christmas with Caritas: A Season of Light program. Learn more about Christmas with Caritas: A Season of Light