Searching for Nora Holt’s stolen music

By Mackenzie Martin,

Sam Wisman, Olivia Hewitt

Published December 16, 2024 at 4:00 AM CST

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Nora Holt was the first Black person in the United States to earn a master’s degree in music. A prolific composer of more than 200 musical pieces and a club-hopping socialite, she once wrote a 42-page work for a 100-piece orchestra. But you’ve probably never heard any of it. Scholars have dreamt of finding her stolen manuscripts for nearly a century, according to Classical KC’s Sam Wisman.

This episode of A People's History of Kansas City was reported by Sam Wisman, and produced by Mackenzie Martin and Olivia Hewitt, with editing by Luke X. Martin and Suzanne Hogan. Mix by Mackenzie Martin and Olivia Hewitt. It is a collaboration with 91.9 Classical KC.

A People's History of Kansas City

Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

See stories by Mackenzie Martin

Sam Wisman

Sam Wisman is a Senior Producer for 91.9 Classical KC and a backup announcer for KCUR 89.3. Email him at samwisman@classicalkc.org.

See stories by Sam Wisman

Olivia Hewitt

Olivia is the 2024-2025 KCUR Studios intern. Email her at ohewitt@kcur.org

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