Category: music

Writer Sammy Sussman reports on allegations of inappropriate comments and touching, aimed at both male and female graduate students, by a composition professor at UT-Austin’s Butler School of Music dating from 2001 to at least 2014. These include alleged incidents that were reported to the University at the time — but nothing happened beyond a single investigation. – Van

Justin Davidson: “Society has changed, and the Met is limping to keep up. When the news about Levine’s transgressions broke, the company called in lawyers to run an investigation, bury the results, and settle the case. The Domingo protest makes it clear that’s not enough to restore harmony within and trust without.” – New York Magazine

Zoe Madonna: “It’s time for Gelb to go, and take the board with him. Time to bring in a team that wants to reclaim the beautiful living tradition of opera for the 21st century, this messy epoch that people still see as a newborn despite its being old enough to vote and almost old enough to drink. And until that happens, the Met Opera deserves every empty seat inside that house.” – Boston Globe

Paul Meecham is stepping down, effective next week. “During his three years with the [organization], Meecham worked to expand the Utah Symphony’s reach across the state, … spearheading ‘the Great American Road Trip’ — a 1,200-mile [concert tour] to Utah’s state parks and national monuments.” – Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

According to the study, 34% of all 16-to-24-year-old music listeners surveyed admitted to using “stream ripping” apps or services to illegally copy music. When all respondents (ages 16 to 64) are factored in, the overall number of admitted stream rippers globally is 23%. – Variety

Nearly 70% of its 80 full-time students can’t afford to pay their tuition, which comes to about $13 USD per month, according to an official DCMA press release. While the school has received support over the years from international donors and diplomatic missions, they face a gap in funding that may force them to shut their doors at the historic Old Customs House. – Global Voices

For players, the NSO has become more appealing than ever. It has long been one of the best-paid orchestras in the country. Now, it’s also seen as among the more dynamic ones. The orchestra is touring Asia this year, and a European tour is said to be in the works. It appeared at Carnegie Hall in the spring and will go to Lincoln Center in November. Selected performances are being streamed and distributed online on Medici.tv; others will be recorded, including the Beethoven cycle at the end of this season. – Washington Post

A modest room with fewer than 100 seats, Tula’s is a movie-set-ready jazz joint: cocktail tables bathed in golden light, wood-and-mirror-paneled bar, intimate stage, flat black ceiling, slowly turning fan. On the back wall hangs the huge wooden sign that once advertised Bud’s Jazz Records, in Pioneer Square. (The ashes of the owner of that shop, Bud Young, are also stashed in the club. Talk about keeping the spirit of jazz alive.) – Seattle Times

“This morning I got a request for a song called “Medicine for Melancholy,” by Rivers Cuomo,” Kantor said, sitting at the organ as a recent game got underway. “During batting practice, I got a request for ‘Detroit Rock City,’ by Kiss, and a request for anything Springsteen.” – WGBH