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San Bernardino Symphony to Open 91st Season September 14
PRECINCT REPORTER GROUP NEWS — The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra will open their 91st performance season September 14 under the baton of Maestro Anthony Parnther. The award-winning Maestro made his debut appearance with the San Bernardino Symphony in October 2017 to conduct Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony as the first of ten conductor candidates. The resulting performance evoked the most rousing and lengthy standing ovation heard in the California Theatre in years with Parnther remaining an audience favorite throughout the search process.
By Precinct Reporter News
The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra will open their 91st performance season September 14 under the baton of Maestro Anthony Parnther.
The award-winning Maestro made his debut appearance with the San Bernardino Symphony in October 2017 to conduct Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony as the first of ten conductor candidates. The resulting performance evoked the most rousing and lengthy standing ovation heard in the California Theatre in years with Parnther remaining an audience favorite throughout the search process.
Now, with the Maestro firmly under contract, the Symphony’s opening concert hopes to eclipse previous records with one of the most challenging pieces of music in the neoclassical repertoire, Carl Orff’s soaring and dramatic Carmina Burana.
Described as ‘total theatre’ where music, words and movement work together in producing an overwhelming effect, Orff’s masterpiece combines classical Greek tragedy and Italian Baroque musical theatre to create what the composer described as a “scenic cantata.” Based on 24 poems from the medieval collection Carmina Burana: Cantiones profanae cantoribus et choris cantandae comitantibus instrumentis atque imaginibus magicis (“Songs of Beuern: Secular songs for singers and choruses to be sung together with instruments and magical images”), it was written between 1935 and 1936 for soloists, choruses and orchestra, it was originally conceived as a choreographed stage work.
Performing the challenging vocals will be soprano Holly Sedillos, counter tenor Darryl Taylor, and baritone Zachary Gordin. The superb Los Robles Master Chorale directed by Lesley Leighton will lend more than 60 voices to the production.
“The Symphony’s Artist Planning Committee scheduled this opening concert in anticipation of a ‘grand welcome’ to the new music director,” shared Symphony Board President Dean McVay. “Carmina Burana is not an easy piece to pull off, with a huge choir, orchestra, and soloists, and to hand it to our new conductor as his first piece in is a lot to ask, and yet Anthony has embraced this piece wholeheartedly, fearlessly, and will show the Southern California musical community a hint of great things to come under his leadership. What a glorious new beginning for the San Bernardino Symphony!”
Also on the playbill is Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture. Written in 1947, this lively work was notably performed at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow and at the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Concert. It was written in just three days at the behest of the conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre to open a concert marking the 37th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution.
In addition, a new piece of music has been prepared to welcome Maestro Parnther and will be premiered at this concert. Arise, for Orchestra and Choir was composed by Michael Barry with lyrics by Katherine Liner as a gift to the San Bernardino Symphony and to the community.
“This inaugural concert is all about recognizing the great community we perform for and imagining possibilities,” said Maestro Parnther. “This concert will touch on many frequencies: Together we will acknowledge San Bernardino’s past, celebrate the present, and reach, hand in hand, for a harmonious future for our great city and orchestra.”
The September 14 concert is the first of six major performances scheduled for the Symphony’s upcoming season. November 16 will see a holiday concert featuring Tony and Grammy award-winning vocalist Jennifer Holliday and renowned cellist Lynn Harrell. January 18, 2020 brings American Legacy: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. featuring soprano Lettrice Lawrence, bass-baritone Bradley Baker, and tenor Jacob Lusk, along with the powerful sounds of the Selah Gospel Choir. February 22, the Symphony will perform Cirque de la Symphonie bringing awe-inspiring acrobatics choreographed to Classical music to the stage alongside orchestral musicians. A March 15 matinee will highlight works by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and Grieg, including a solo performance of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto by Maestro Parnther. The season will close May 2 with From Stage to Screen a tribute to the golden age of Hollywood with movie scores from Bernard Hermann and a tribute to Judy Garland by Emmy-nominated vocalist Angela Ingersoll.
Concert tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by calling (909) 381-5388. Students and active military tickets are just $15. General admission tickets are $30, $45, $55, and $65. Season tickets are also available and offer substantial savings.
This article originally appeared in The Precinct Reporter News Group.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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