Powdered wigs, white men, aristocracy — these are just a handful of images and stereotypes historically associated with the world of classical music. But what if we’re wrong? In this episode, guest hosts James Stewart and Adiah Gholston talk with teenagers, composers and professors to unpack some of our assumptions around classical music: Where its roots really lie, who it’s made for, and where it’s headed.

Homegoings is a production of Vermont Public. Follow season 1 here.

This episode was mixed, scored and reported by James Stewart and Adiah Gholston. Myra Flynn composed the theme music. Other music by James Stewart, Maurice Ravel, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Igor Stravinsky and Blue Dot Sessions. Brittany Patterson and Myra Flynn edited this episode and Elodie Reed contributes to so many things on the backend of making this thing come to life, including our Homegoings artist portraits.

Special thanks to educator Christine StClair and the principal and students of Tuttle Middle School in South Burlington, Vermont for sharing their thoughts with us.

See you in two weeks, for another episode of Homegoings. As always, you are welcome here.

To continue to be part of the Homegoings family:

• Sign up for the Homegoings newsletter
• Write to us at: hey@homegoings.co
• Follow us on Instagram @wearehomegoings
• Make a gift to continue elevating BIPOC storytelling
• Tell you friends, your family or a stranger about the show!
• And of course, subscribe!