Our guest celebrity this month, the astounding B.E. Boykin, may seem like an old friend. That's because she's the co-conspirator with last month's guest, Sidney Outlaw, having composed the amazing new cycle 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man, found on Sidney and Warren Jones' new album, Black Pierrot. We were inspired by her unique story and can-do attitude in her pursuit of composing, despite numerous rejections along the way. But with cheerleaders like Dorothy Rudd Moore telling her to keep going for the love of it, how could she possibly have given up? Thank the #TeamArtSong gods she never did - we're all for the better having her songs in our world.Stick around for a great conversation between Laura and Sam on how to advocate for the continued celebration of new music, including bringing audiences along. Thanks for the question, Edson!***Have a question you want answered by Laura and Sam on a future episode? Share your thoughts with a voice memo or written note through our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag!Nominate a phenomenal artist in your local community for a shoutout in our Songsters in Your Neighborhood segment!***Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Francesca Caccini (1587-1640) came from a very important musical family, studying music with her father alongside her brother and sister. A noted singer and voice teacher as well, Francesca spent much of her musical career working in the Medici court. She composed the first extant opera by a woman and the first Italian opera that was performed outside of Italy.Much of the information this season comes from Karin Pendle's Women and Music: A History.Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Troy Cook, baritone, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Primo libro delle musiche a una e due vociEcco ch'io verso il sangueRegina coeliFresche aurette (duet)Non so se quel sorriso (also found in 24 Italian Songs & Arias by Women Composers)You can also find music by Francesca's sister Settimia in the 24 Italian Songs & Arias by Women Composers.Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" Counter--Ellen 2, Toni 1 ***So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertreeYou can find out more about Troy Cook on his website, https://www.troycookbaritone.com/

From her electrifying performances on the world’s great stages to her influential years as a teacher in the United States, Lotte Lehmann’s legacy shines through in equal parts passion, vulnerability, and uncompromising musical truth. Featuring archival recordings of Schubert's Erlkönig and An die Musik with Lehmann's long-time pianist Paul Ulanowsky.Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about their network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

The So Lit Song Lit academy is back in session - Season 4 drops starting August 19th! This season, Toni Marie and Ellen focus on women composers from the 16th century through the 1990s. Make sure to subscribe and tell all your friends, colleagues, and students, you won't want to miss this season!So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Coming to us from balmy Brevard, North Carolina, the fame-ish Sidney Outlaw joins the pod, where the stories just keep flowing one after another! From the value of mentorship in shaping one's educational and professional journey, to the importance of creating quality recordings to provide the next generation with stylistic models, to believing that we're right where we're meant to be - all woven together by Star Wars metaphors - the conversation has nuggets for everyone. Hop on The Magic School Bus, it's class time with Sidney Outlaw!Stream Sidney's newest album with Warren Jones, Black Pierrot, featuring music by William Grant Still and B.E. Boykin.***Have a question you want answered by Laura and Sam on a future episode? Share your thoughts with a voice memo or written note through our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag! This episode, we answer a very interesting question submitted by Kelly in Cincinnati.Nominate a phenomenal artist in your local community for a shoutout in our Songsters in Your Neighborhood segment!***Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.