This week is a conversation with composer, music activist, and founding director of L.A.-based vocal ensemble, Tonality, Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake, about forming a choir that is accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive from the ground up—making choral music something everyone can be a part of.

Episode transcript

Music excerpts (all performances by Tonality)

• “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, arr. by Tehillah Alphonso
• “United We Dream” by Dr. Melissa Dunphy, words by Claudia D. Hernández
• “1 2 3 2 Lyfe” by Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake
• “No More” by Anthony Maglione
• “Can You See” by Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles
• “Tulips” by Shawn Kirchner, soloists: Meredith Pyle Pedley and David Morales
• “Democracy” by Jared Jenkins

Episode references

• Alexander Lloyd Blake
• Tonality Website
• Tonality on Instagram

Theme Song: Mr. Puffy by Avi Bortnik, arr. by Paul Kim. Performed by Dynamic