HearTOGETHER Podcast

Apr 04 2024 40 ep. 27 mins 9
HearTOGETHER Podcast artwork

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc. present the HearTOGETHER podcast— a space for heartfelt, engaging, disruptive, conversations with artists, activists, and everyone in between. Hosted by Khadija Mbowe.

  Music  Society & Culture
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"Never Standing Still" w. Terence Blanchard

Apr 04 2024 33 mins  
On the final episode of our series, host Khadija Mbowe is joined by the renowned trumpet player and composer Terence Blanchard. Hear the pair talk like two old friends as they get real about everything from their experiences navigating the opera world to the power that sharing an article has to convey fatherly love. Get Tickets To See Terence Blanchard Live in Philly on April 7, 20

"The Enduring Legacy of Marian Anderson" w. J’Nai Bridges

Mar 07 2024 29 mins  
Two-time Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano, Curtis Institute of Music graduate, and former varsity basketball captain J’Nai Bridges joins host Khadija Mbowe for a free-flowing conversation about her wide-ranging musical influences, structured systems for success, and the public humiliation that (inadvertently) led to her becoming a star. In February 2024, Bridges joined The Philadelph

"Bootcamp, Breath, & Beyoncé" w. Na'Zir McFadden

Dec 14 2023 21 mins  
A candid conversation between host Khadija Mbowe and 23-year-old Detroit Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor, Na'Zir McFadden. You'll hear about his collaborative conducting style, day-in-the-life, and deep Philly roots. Music from this episode: STRAUSS, Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (Opening), Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Na’Zir McFadden, conductor. COLRIDGE-TAYLOR, African

"People weren't prepared" — Judith Still and Dr. Guthrie Ramsey on William Grant Still

Oct 19 2023 22 mins  
Music historian, pianist, composer, and the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania Dr. Guthrie Ramsey joins Judith Anne Still, daughter of the late composer William Grant Still, to discuss her father’s life and music, how his experiences as a Black man informed his compositions, and how, despite his many “firsts,” his music was

"We're involved whether we like it or not" w. respectfulchild

May 04 2023 29 mins  
On our season finale, interdisciplinary artist respectfulchild (they/them) shares a frank discussion with host Khadija Mbowe about their creative journey of experimentation and discovery. Born in Canada to Chinese-Malaysian parents, early on, respectfulchild yearned to defy expectations as a classical music student. Today, their compositions and artwork are a vehicle to imagine, di

"Pantsed by the ancestors" w. Ian Cusson

Apr 06 2023 38 mins  
Ian Cusson celebrates deep questions and despises stereotypes. is In this episode, you'll hear the sought-after Indigenous (Georgian Bay Métis Community) and French Canadian composer share a candid conversation with host Khadija Mbowe, digging into his experiences of privilege, shame, and one anecdote of sweet, swift, cosmic justice. Chapters:[00:00] Introduction [02:49] Métis co

“We need to stop cosplaying as elites” w. Mari Esabel Valverde

Mar 02 2023 34 mins  
Mari Esabel Valverde is an award-winning composer of choral music and among the leading voices in American choral composition today. In addition to instructing high schoolers in classical voice, she has specialized in working with transgender vocalists like herself. In this episode, you'll hear Mari tell host Khadija Mbowe about how she learned to overcome self-doubt, why "respect"

"A bop is a bop," w. Babatunde Akinboboye (PART 2)

Feb 02 2023 15 mins  
This one's for the music lovers! Tune in to hear Babatunde Akinboboye tell host Khadija Mbowe about his favorite music, stick around to hear them wax philosophical about training, technology, and the importance of feeling music viscerally. Chapters: [00:26] Babatunde's 5 favorite hip-hop artists[6:18] Babatunde's 5 favorite arias [08:00] How training threatened to erode Babatunde's

"All our stories have songs" w. Babatunde Akinboboye (PART 1)

Feb 02 2023 34 mins  
Babatunde Akinboboye, known online as @babatundehiphopera, became a viral sensation when he started blending his lifelong love of hip-hop with his budding interest in opera. Today, he's built a multi-faceted career that gives him the best of the concert hall and the digital stage. In this candid convo with host Khadija Mbowe, Babatunde talks about overcoming preconceived notions, s

BONUS: In-Depth Lightning Round with Theo Baer (aka iT Boy)

Jan 05 2023 2 mins  
Who makes you laugh?Cataclysm sentence?Skill you wish you had?Song you wish you'd written?Worst advice?The Philadelphia Orchestra’s HearTOGETHER series is generously supported by lead corporate sponsor Accordant Advisors. Additional major support has been provided by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust.