In this series, host Garrett McQueen opens an historical and contemporary conversation of race with classical music and the 13th amendment as the guide.
"The ratification of the 13th Amendment promised freedom for Afro-Americans - at least, on paper. While many people believe that those promises of freedom have yet to fully manifest, Black people have still managed to tell the stories of struggle, joy, and the continued journey toward freedom. Hope you can join me to celebrate some of those musical stories on The Sound of 13."Garrett McQueen, host of "The Sound of 13"
Hear "The Sound of 13: Celebrating Black Achievement in Music" every Monday at 5 p.m. on Classical IPR.
See the entire broadcast schedule below.
Ep. 1: "Negro Melodies" (June 6)
A revisit to post-reconstruction era America and the hopes cultivated during this time through music by Dvorak, Burleigh, and more.
Ep. 2: "Take Me to Church" (June 13)
An acknowledgement of the unique role of the Black church over the course of the 20th century and beyond with performances by Chicago's Rize Orchestra, the American Spiritual Ensemble, and others.
Ep. 3: "A Musical Founding Father" (June 20)
The life and times of Duke Ellington, featuring his orchestral suite, "Three Black Kings" and other works that blend "classical" and jazz.
Ep. 4: "Engaging the Canon" (June 27)
Traditional works from western Europe as performed by Stewart Goodyear, Isata Kanneh-Mason, and more.
Ep. 5: "Women of the Movement" (July 4)
A celebration of Black women in western classical music, featuring the newly-recorded "Montgomery Variations" by Margaret Bonds and the Grammy-winning recording of Florence Price's Symphony No. 3.
Ep. 6: "The Movies" (July 11)
A look at Black achievement in film and film music featuring works by Quincy Jones, Terrence Blanchard, and more.
Ep. 7: "Building America" (July 18)
Music and stories that center the impact of Black diversity in early America, including Gottschalk's Symphony No. 1 and the violin concerto of José White Lafitte.
Ep. 8: "Black Futurism and Imagination" (July 25)
A collection of 21st century works by Ozie Cargile, Jessie Montgomery, and more.
Ep. 9: "The Motherland" (August 1)
A celebration of music that highlights the sights and sounds of Africa, featuring a performance by the Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble and William Grant Still's "Ennanga".
Ep. 10: "Classical Activism" (August 8)
Stories and music that shine a light on the work of Nina Simone, Paul Robeson, and Robert Shaw.
Ep. 11: "A Big Seed in the Big Apple" (August 15)
An exploration of the Harlem Renaissance's impact on western classical music, featuring performances by the Harlem Boys' Choir, the Harlem Quartet, and a recording of James Johnson's "Harlem Symphony".
Ep. 12: "Looking Westward" (August 22)
Musical works that offer a perspective on Black achievement west of the Mississippi, featuring selections from William Grant Still's "The American Scene"
Ep. 13: "Building Community and Coming Together" (August 29)
A celebration of music and performances that highlight cross-community collaboration and intersectional perspectives, featuring a performance by Sphinx Virtuosi alongside works by Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Ludovic Lamothe, and more.
About the host
Garrett McQueen is a bassoonist who has performed with orchestras across the country, including the Knoxville Symphony, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Today, Garrett works as a producer of digital and broadcast media, with content featured on the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) and local public radio stations across the country. In 2017, Current named McQueen a Black talent in public media “that you may not know, but should,” and in 2021 the New York Times noted his weekly podcast, TRILLOQUY, as "a standout" that's "required listening for industry leaders and listeners alike.” In addition to working as the Executive Producer and co-host of the TRILLOQUY podcast, Garrett works as an equity consultant, guest speaker, curator and presenter at the intersection of race and "classical" music. He serves on the board of the American Composers Forum as the Equity Committee Chair, and is on the leadership teams of the Black Opera Alliance, the Gateways Music Festival, and the International Society for Black Musicians.
The Sound of 13 is produced by KVNO and distributed by PRX.
