Music

At Sunday night's Grammys, will Beyoncé finally win album of the year? Will Taylor Swift take that prize for the fifth time? Or will a new generation of pop stars — like Missouri native and Midwest princess Chappell Roan — claim the moment?

Before the Chiefs face the Eagles at the Super Bowl, hands will be placed over hearts as Jon Batiste sings the national anthem. Learn more about the history of this musical tradition from some Kansas City musicians who have taken to the field to perform themselves.

A scheduling snafu for organist Jan Kraybill started an unique tradition — a Super Bowl Sunday organ concert — that's lasted 25 years.

"From The Top," which broadcasts in 45 states, features student musicians from across the country. This week's episode includes some from the Kansas City area. The episode will air on 91.9 Classical KC Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.

As a teen, Elana James grew up busking on the streets of Kansas City. Now a professional musician, James is the co-founder of Hot Club of Cowtown, a jazz and swing band that's performing at the Folly Theater on Jan. 18.

Kansas City’s Nora Holt was an accomplished pianist, composer, singer, music critic, and even a club-hopping socialite. She composed more than 200 musical works in her lifetime, but you've probably never heard any of them — because they were stolen.

Nora Holt was the first Black person in the United States to earn a master’s degree in music. A prolific composer 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.

Kansas City is the only UNESCO City of Music in the United States. Four local musicians recently traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to participate in a global music exchange.

Lindsey Rood-Clifford is the president and CEO of Starlight Theatre in Kansas City's Swope Park. She caught up with KCUR's Steve Kraske as part of Up To Date's new series "5 Questions."

Frank Byrne, the former executive director of the Kansas City Symphony, is the host of "From the Archives" on KCUR's sister station Classical KC. He joined Up To Date to discuss classical holiday music and his career in the industry.

Arts programs are among the first to be trimmed by Missouri school districts, especially after the COVID pandemic. But arts educators are trying to turn the tide in arts education disinvestment.

Blanche began hosting Night Tides on KCUR 89.3 in 1994. Celebrate her anniversary this Thursday at Belger Crane Yard Studios.