21CM - creating the 21st Century Musician

Presenting the “New Voices” Winning Essays

January 2019

Last year, 21CM partnered with the award-winning music blog I CARE IF YOU LISTEN to create the “New Voices” essay contest, inviting college students of any age to submit essays on the theme of the 21st century musician.

Special Features

21CM Announces the 2018 POP Icon

January 2019

Throughout 2018, our talented panel of artist-curators highlighted 55 people, organizations and projects they believed were advancing the musical arts. Each month, the voting by you, our readers, narrowed the field to create this year’s elite group of POP winners.

Special Features

/ New Voices First Place Winner

Hillary LaBonte on Amy Beth Kirsten and Gender Representation in Opera

Hillary LaBonte · January 2019

Most operatic repertoire comes from the 18th and 19th centuries and with it, antiquated views of women. What’s a girl to do when the repertoire just doesn’t satisfy?

Special Features

/ New Voices Second Place Winner

Anjali Misra on the Staying Power of Irish Traditional Music

Anjali Misra · January 2019

The widespread popularity of the pub session format is a relatively recent development in Irish traditional music. This music persists because it has changed over time.

Special Features

/ New Voices Third Place Winner

Leah Dunbar on Music as a Response to Gun Violence

Leah Dunbar · January 2019

Frank Ticheli composed “An American Elegy” in response to the 1999 Columbine shooting. In April, 50 musicians gathered at the Ohio Statehouse to perform “An American Elegy” once for each school shooting that has happened since.