Steve Lawrence (birth name: Sidney Liebowitz)
By Steven Brodsky
… was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 8, 1935.
Steve Lawrence was half of the immensely successful husband and wife recording and performing duo known as Steve and Eydie. (Yes, many of the readers of this column knew this.)
I’ll probably commemorate Steve Lawrence’s birthday by listening to his recordings of “Go Away Little Girl” and “Portrait of My Love.”
As I’m writing this post, I’m recalling Steve Lawrence’s kindness towards a very elderly fan after a Steve and Eydie concert. I’ve a photo of Steve Lawrence and that fan (a relative of mine). It’s nice to have this recollection on Steve Lawrence’s birthday.
Steve Lawrence passed away on March 7, 2024.
Posted 7-8-26
Sara Aldana has been appointed to serve as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s new assistant conductor
By Steven Brodsky
… Congratulations to Sara Aldana.
The following news release was issued by The Philadelphia Orchestra:
(Philadelphia, July 1, 2026)—The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin are pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Aldana as the Orchestra’s new assistant conductor, effective September 1, 2026, through the 2026–27 season. Originally from Colombia and a student of Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop, Aldana will provide valuable assistance to Nézet-Séguin and other guest conductors throughout the season. Additionally, she will lead select Family Concerts and actively participate in residency programs, Orchestra tours, and a variety of educational activities. She will make her Philadelphia Orchestra debut in January 2027, leading the Orchestra in a program titled Wonderful Waltzes, featuring works by the Strauss family.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s assistant conductor position has long served as a launchpad for some of the most promising artists in the next generation of orchestral leadership. The role offers emerging young conductors hands-on experience working alongside world-renowned conductors, composers, and soloists. Former Philadelphia Orchestra assistant conductors have gone on to serve as music directors at major ensembles across North America and abroad.
“The assistant conductor position is one of the clearest expressions of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s commitment to creating an expansive and inclusive future for classical music,” said President and CEO Ryan Fleur. “Sara Aldana joins a distinguished line of artists who have used this platform to find their voice on the podium, and I’m looking forward to watching her flourish throughout her tenure.”
“Sara Aldana brings to the podium a unique combination of musical intelligence, authenticity, charisma, and a deep commitment to community—qualities that are essential to The Philadelphia Orchestra,” said Nézet-Séguin. “I look forward to working alongside her as she continues to grow as an artist and know she will be a colleague for years to come.”
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Sara at the Peabody Institute and through the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, where she is currently a 2026 mentee,” said Alsop. “I could not be happier for her; she is a remarkable musician and collaborator, whose curiosity and dedication to the art will serve The Philadelphia Orchestra and its audiences beautifully.”
Aldana succeeds Naomi Woo, who has served as the Orchestra’s assistant conductor since 2024 and whose tenure ends in August. The Philadelphia Orchestra is grateful for Woo’s extraordinary contributions to the Orchestra and its audience over the last two years. The ensemble is looking forward to welcoming her back as a guest conductor throughout the 2026–27 season.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Aldana is known for her collaborative leadership and belief in music as a force for connection and inclusion. A 2026 Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship mentee, she served as cover conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 2023 to 2025, working alongside conductors including Jader Bignamini, Marie Jacquot, Jeannette Sorrell, Kevin John Edusei, and Tabita Berglund, and has held positions as assistant conductor of the Reno Chamber Orchestra, associate conductor of the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra, and conducting fellow and assistant conductor to Alondra de la Parra at the Festival Paax GNP in Mexico. Aldana has conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Basel Chamber Orchestra, and other ensembles in master classes led by Mei-Ann Chen, Johannes Schlaefli, Cristian Măcelaru, and Marin Alsop. Most recently, she debuted with the Bogotá Symphony Orchestra and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and she will spend the summer at the Aspen Conducting Academy as a conducting fellow. Previous summers have included fellowships at the Cabrillo Festival for Contemporary Music, the National Orchestral Institute, and the Conductors Retreat at Medomak. She has studied with Marin Alsop and Joseph Young at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and holds a master’s in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan, studying under Kenneth Kiesler.
Posted 7-2-26
If Roy were to be koi
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… It would be fishy.
Just punning.
There are more than 50 ways to pun on any given day.
And there must be 50 ways for a song character to leave a lover, according to a song character in Paul Simon’s song “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”
Posted 6-27-26
A traditional graduation march
By Steven Brodsky
…. Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” is embedded here in honor of readers of this column who have recently graduated and column readers who will soon be graduating:
Posted 6-8-26
The Pulitzer Prize Board has announced that Gabriela Lena Frank’s ‘Picaflor: A Future Myth,’ co-commissioned and premiered by The Philadelphia Orchestra, is the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Music
By Steven Brodsky
… Congratulations to Gabriela Lena Frank.
The following news release was issued by The Philadelphia Orchestra:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, May 5, 2026)—Gabriela Lena Frank’s Picaflor: A Future Myth won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Music yesterday. The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin co-commissioned Picaflor and gave the world premiere of the piece in March 2025 with Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop.
Picaflor: A Future Myth was the culmination of Frank’s tenure as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s composer-in-residence from 2019 to 2023. While in this position, she worked closely with students throughout the region, specifically at KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School, helping to provide music education to Philadelphia’s next generation of artists and arts lovers. The Orchestra has also commissioned and given the world premieres of Frank’s Concertino Cusqueño (2012) and Pachamama Meets an Ode (2022), both with Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
The Pulitzer Prize–winning work is a retelling of a traditional Peruvian creation myth about a picaflor, or hummingbird, that pollinates the world and its varying wildlife, giving birth to a vibrant and complex earth. Frank’s retelling takes place in a futuristic setting, where the picaflor navigates a world on the brink of cataclysm—reflecting Frank’s climate activism in art and life.
“The Philadelphia Orchestra extends our heartfelt congratulations to Gabriela Lena Frank on this monumental achievement,” said Ryan Fleur, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. “Frank’s Picaflor is a profound act of storytelling, weaving her Peruvian heritage into an urgent message about the wellbeing of our planet. We are thrilled to have co-commissioned this work and presented its world premiere last year. Collaborating with composers like Gabriela reflects our organization’s deepest values—where artistic excellence meets cultural inclusivity and genuine authenticity; we build the kind of musical legacy that endures time and space. We look forward to continuing to champion her music and introducing this extraordinary piece to audiences for years to come.”
The Orchestra has commissioned two additional Pulitzer Prize–winning compositions in its history: Walter Piston’s Symphony No. 7 (1961) and Shulamit Ran’s Symphony (1991).
Posted 5-7-26
On Judy Collins’ 87th birthday
By Steven Brodsky
… Happy birthday wishes go out to Judy Collins!
Judy Collins was born on May 1, 1939.
Posted 5-1-26
Wild geese
By Steven Brodsky
A Canada goose
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… have a special way of announcing our “place in the family of things,” as does Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese.”
Posted 4-30-26
The recipients of the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellowships have been announced
By Steven Brodsky
… Congratulations to the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellows!
From a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) news release that was issued today, April 21, 2026:
Washington, DC—The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellowships, the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. This lifetime honor recognizes artists whose work reflects excellence, deep knowledge, and a lasting commitment to sustaining our nation’s cultural traditions.
Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said, “The 2026 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellows reflect the richness of America, carrying forward cultural practices that have been passed down over generations, sharing them with others, and continuing to shape who we are as a nation.”
The 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellows are:
Juan Díes and Victor G. Pichardo, Mexican folk musicians (Chicago, Illinois)
Through performance, teaching, and community work, Juan Díes and Victor G. Pichardo have helped sustain Mexican son, a rich tradition of regional folk music from across Mexico. As co-founders of Sones de México Ensemble, they have brought this music to national stages while training new generations of musicians.
Belen Escobedo, Conjunto Tejano Fiddler (San Antonio, Texas)
Rooted in the musical traditions of the Texas–Mexico borderlands, Belen Escobedo performs early Mexican and Tejano fiddle tunes once common across South Texas. Through decades on stage and in the classroom, she has helped keep this rare style alive.
Giovanni Hidalgo, Latin Percussionist (Ocoee, Florida)
Known for his speed, precision, and expressive playing, Giovanni Hidalgo has reshaped Latin percussion on the global stage. A virtuosic performer and dedicated teacher, he continues to influence generations of musicians.
Gerry Milnes, Folklorist & Documentarian (Elkins, West Virginia)
During a career spanning more than 50 years, Gerry Milnes has documented and shared the traditions of Appalachia through recordings, films, and public programs. His work has brought lasting attention to the region’s artists and cultural practices.
Milnes is the 2026 recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship, presented in recognition of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation and awareness of cultural heritage.
Lloyd Kumulā‘au Sing, Jr. and May Haunani Balino-Sing, Hawaiian Twined Basketry Artists (Wahiawā, Hawai‘i)
Through decades of teaching and cultural stewardship, Native Hawaiians Lloyd Kumulā‘au Sing, Jr. and May Haunani Balino-Sing have led the revival of ulana ʻie, a traditional Hawaiian weaving practice once near extinction. Their work has helped restore and sustain this art form for future generations.
Patrick Olwell, Flutemaker (Athens, Georgia, and Nellysford, Virginia)
Central to Irish traditional music is the sound of the wooden flute—an instrument Patrick Olwell has helped revive and redefine. Drawing on historic designs and decades of study and craftsmanship, his flutes have set the standard for today’s makers and players.
Frank Rabon, CHamoru Dancer & Choreographer (Hagåtña, Guam)
For more than four decades, Native Pacific Islander Frank Rabon has led efforts to restore and sustain CHamoru dance, an Indigenous tradition of Guam and the greater Mariana Islands. His work continues to pass on the history, language, and cultural knowledge of the CHamoru people.
Cary Schwarz, Saddlemaker & Leather Artist (Salmon, Idaho)
Working at the intersection of function and design, Cary Schwarz creates custom saddles known for their strength, balance, and craftsmanship. His nearly five decades of work have helped sustain and advance the traditions of the American West.
Each Heritage Fellowship includes a $25,000 award and the recipients will be honored in Washington, DC in fall 2026. More details will be available later this summer.
Nominate a National Heritage Fellow
Each year, NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients are nominated by the public—often by members of their own communities—and then judged by a panel of experts in the folk and traditional arts. The panel’s recommendations are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts, which sends its recommendations to the NEA chairman. The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2027 class of NEA National Heritage Fellows is Monday, May 11, 2026. Visit the National Endowment for the Arts website for more information and to submit a nomination.
About the National Heritage Fellowships
The National Heritage Fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Including the 2026 class, the NEA has awarded 502 National Heritage Fellowships since 1982, recognizing artists working in more than 200 distinct art forms, including bluegrass musicians, blacksmiths, tap dancers, quilters, folklorists, a birchbark canoe builder, children’s folk singer, and many others. More information about the National Heritage Fellows is available on the arts.gov/Heritage.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Posted 4-21-26
Information about the 2026 Frank P. Law Summer Carillon Concert Series at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
By Steven Brodsky
The Washington Memorial National Carillon tower at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… is posted at: https://www.wmchapel.org/frank-law-summer-carillon.
Two special anniversaries to celebrate in 2026: the 250th anniversary of American independence and the Washington Memorial National Carillon’s centennial!
From the above linked page: “In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, this year’s series will feature distinguished American carillonneurs performing music connected with our nation’s history and heritage. The concerts begin on Wednesday, July 1, with a recital by our own Chapel Carillonneur, Doug Gefvert.”
Admission to the carillon concerts in this series will be free.
Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Posted 4-15-26
Romanticized notions about nature
By Steven Brodsky
… pass away for the speaker of Seamus Heaney’s poem “Death of a Naturalist.”
Many “naturalists” have had a similar experience.
And most would, with sufficient exposure to realities of the natural world.
May we all acquire and retain a sense of wonder in regard to the natural world.
This brief article appeared at: Conversations About Nature.
Posted 3-3-26, Revised and reposted 3-21-26
The belief that is sure to arise from possible dormancy this spring
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… is the “secret belief in perpetual spring.”
Though astronomical spring will begin on Friday, March 20, 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere, some of this column’s readers across the globe will experience that belief emerging (not prematurely!) from dormancy before spring’s arrival after they read the poem “In Perpetual Spring,” by Amy Gerstler.
Enjoy: In Perpetual Spring by Amy Gerstler | Poetry Foundation.
Posted 3-6-26
Everyone needs to be connected to a caring and supportive community
By Steven Brodsky
… as did Edgar Allan Poe, the author of this linked poem that’s saturated with extreme aloneness: “Alone” | The Poetry Foundation.
Poe wasn’t connected to such a community, unfortunately.
The link to Poe’s “Alone” appears here on the evening prior to Poe’s birthday.
Poe was born on January 19, 1809.
I like to think that a few people might have reached out to Poe on his birthday to communicate that the poem deeply resonated with their own experiences with aloneness in extremis.
If they had, perhaps they and Poe may have had their aloneness at least temporarily alleviated, and if that happened, Poe’s birthday would have been somewhat better.
Posted 1-18-26
Steven Brodsky hosted a radio show for 3 and a half years. The show focused on coverage of entertainment, the arts, and all manner of culture. He is widely known for his many live on air interviews with guests such as: Rodney Crowell, Charlie Louvin, Richie Havens, Eric Whitacre (composer, conductor), Solomon Burke, Janis Ian, Percy Sledge, Billy Joe Shaver, Jack LaLanne, Gene Shay, Bruce Morrow “Cousin Brucie,” Jerome “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Pat Cooper, Jett Williams (daughter of Hank Williams), Steve Forbert, Chris Smither, Lukas Nelson, Dr. Temple Grandin, Dan Fante, Harold Camping (Harold Camping was the radio broadcaster and Bible teacher who famously proclaimed that Judgment Day and the Rapture would take place on May 21, 2011. Harold Camping passed away on December 15, 2013.), Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, curators, historians, scientists, and newsmakers. He welcomes email.