Open Mic Classical: Black History Month

An “Open Mic” is for popular music only, right? WRONG!

Open Mic Classical is a new experience in classical music, helping our community’s musicians share their music with a friendly, and supportive audience. Classical musicians of all ages and levels are welcome to sign up and perform an instrument or sing.

3rd Sunday, 3pm of every month September through June at different Cape locations.

We try to have a 1.5-hour program with a featured guest musician who gets a longer spot.

Our featured guest on February 18th, 2024 will be the ensemble Linking Legacies with Christopher Jenkins (viola), Dianna White-Gould (piano), and Anastasia Rainbow (lyric coloratura soprano).
“Linking Legacies”, a group of Ohio-based performers, presents works by Black composers with ties to Ohio and the greater Cleveland area. Although Ohio’s legacy of educating Black composers is not well known, William Grant Still, Nathaniel Dett, Hale Smith, Dolores White, and Leslie Adams were all educated at Oberlin Conservatory and/or the Cleveland Institute of Music.

The performers who make up “Linking Legacies” similarly have regional ties. Pianist Dianna White-Gould is a graduate of Oberlin and daughter of composer Dolores White, and Christopher Jenkins is an Associate Dean at Oberlin and doctoral student at CIM. Soprano Ana Rainbow is daughter of an Oberlin alumni. Join our program to learn more about these composers and hear several of their works that are not often performed.

Musicians are asked to sign up in an email or by phone, not later than 2 pm on the day of the event. We will select up to 8-10 players. Participants can sign up for a piece, or a movement up to 5-6 minutes. Second piece can be played, time permitting. Pianist on request is available to accompany you.

To learn about our monthly featured guest musicians visit our website www.openmicclassical.org.