Friends of Music Hall

Don’t miss this documentary double feature celebrating the sounds of Cincinnati:

June 13, Friday
3:30 PM & repeats 7:00 PM
Cincinnati World Cinema-Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St.

🎥 “Cincinnati Sounds: Exploring a Musical City’s Spaces, Places, and Sounds”

Directed by Melissa Godoy (former FMH board member) & CCM Recording Productions
FMH board member and historian Thea Tjepkema led a special tour of Music Hall bringing the sounds of its musical history and legendary musicians to life as one highlight of the July 2025 UC-CCM project that brought music scholars from 25 universities, 17 states, Canada, & England to explore Cincinnati’s landmarks and their sounds.

🎥 “King of them All: The Story of King Records”

Directed by Yemi Oyediran, FMH board member
The definitive documentary on Cincinnati’s groundbreaking recording label King Records with an additional 30 minutes.

https://cincyworldcinema.org/cincy-sounds/
Get tickets here: https://cincinnatiworldcinema.ticketspice.com/cincinnati-sounds

Happy 2026!

This year’s National Trust for Historic Preservation theme – “All People Are Created Equal”–celebrates landmarks that tell the full, honest American story during the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Friends of Music Hall take that mission to heart. This National Historic Landmark has stood since 1878 – for 60% of the time since the 1776 Declaration of Independence – and has nearly 150 years of true inclusive stories to bring to life of our city’s, region’s, and nation’s history.

FMH shares Under One Roof: The African American Experience in Music Hall, a talk and new tour celebrating Black excellence within this iconic cultural venue and gathering place for all.

Sign up for our tours or talks at FriendsofMusicHall.org

1-night. 2-world premieres. 1,000-schoolchildren. 4-soloists & composers.

70 years ago, on May 11, 1956, a May Festival concert opened with a 500-voice public grade school combined chorus for the world premiere of Polish émigré Felix Labunski's “Images of Youth” — a 10-movement cantata set to poems about childhood. Next on the program were the legendary Leontyne Price and William Warfield with a 500-voice public high school combined chorus performing the world premiere of Wallace Berry's “Spoon River” and selections from George Gershwin's “Porgy and Bess,” and after intermission, Carol Brice and Luther Saxon joined as soloists for R. Nathaniel Dett's “The Ordering of Moses”.

closing night May 23 ’s Porgy & Bess

On Thursday, May 14, FMH partnered with the May Festival to host the very first May Festival Music & History Tour. Our guides took 40 guests on an exclusive journey through Music Hall, uncovering the deep, interconnected history of this iconic building and the May Festival.

For the grand finale, guests were led inside Springer Auditorium for an exclusive rehearsal, watching conductor Cristian Măcelaru lead the chorus, soloists, and orchestra in preparation for opening night.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable blend of history and world-class music!

May Festival

Opening night of the May Festival is this Friday, May 15. Let's come together to celebrate the rich history of Cincinnati and the legacy of this extraordinary festival — one of the oldest choral traditions in the country. There's still time to get tickets at a discount to these glorious performances.

Friends of Music Hall Historian Thea Tjepkema took the stage alongside May Festival Director Julia Bullock, Education Manager Edy Dreith, and Associate Director of Choruses Jason Alexander Holmes — and they gave a new generation of Cincinnatians a magical Music Hall experience.

Third graders didn't just listen to music. They sang songs and heard Music Hall stories woven around three powerful themes: Smart. Heart. Brave.

SMART: Cincinnatian DeHart Hubbard was a star athlete and student at Walnut Hills High School who became the first African American to win an individual Olympic Gold Medal in 1924. He then came home and coached Black Fives basketball teams in Music Hall's Sports Arena, beginning opening week in 1928.

HEART: Jazz legend Duke Ellington and his orchestra featuring singer Ivie Anderson — first appeared in Music Hall's Greystone Ballroom in 1931. Ellington returned several times, including conducting, playing piano, and recording with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on the Music Hall stage.

BRAVE: Cincinnatian Mamie Smith — "Queen of the Blues" — brought the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance to her hometown when she sang at Music Hall in 1921. That same spirit is the theme of the 2026 May Festival.

Read more on our blog:
Mamie Smith: Queen of the Blues in Cincinnati Music Hall https://friendsofmusichall.org/2020/08/08/mamie-smith-queen-of-the-blues-in-cincinnati-music-hall/
It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing: Music Hall’s Greystone Ballroom 1928-1935 https://friendsofmusichall.org/2021/01/24/it-dont-mean-a-thing-if-it-aint-got-that-swing-music-halls-greystone-ballroom-1928-1935/

May Festival

UNDER ONE ROOF: The African American Experience in Music Hall TALK
By Thea Tjepkema, Friends of Music Hall Historian
MAY 7, Thurs., 7-8 pm
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Wyoming Historical Society Event
https://wyominghistoricalsociety.com/events
Wyoming Presbyterian Church
225 Wyoming Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215

Since 1878, African Americans have been central to Cincinnati Music Hall's history. The South Hall ballroom has hosted jazz, R&B, and rock 'n' roll legends, including Duke Ellington, while the North Hall sports arena launched the careers of athletes such as boxing champion Ezzard Charles. Black excellence is celebrated in Springer Auditorium with artists like Wyoming, Ohio's own Nadine Roberts Waters, and continues with contemporary performers. Discover the inspiring stories of determination and artistry that helped shape our city at Music Hall, Under One Roof.

Read More about Nadine Roberts Waters "La Cantatrice de Cincinnati" here:
https://friendsofmusichall.org/2022/03/20/nadine-roberts-waters-la-cantatrice-de-cincinnati/

Since 1878, African Americans have been central to Cincinnati Music Hall's history.

The South Hall ballroom hosted jazz, R&B, and rock 'n' roll legends, including Duke Ellington. The North Hall sports arena launched the careers of athletes such as boxer Ezzard Charles. On Springer Auditorium's stage, numerous stars, like Sissieretta Jones, helped break racial barriers.

On May 2, take a 90-minute tour and discover these stories of determination and artistry within Music Hall's three buildings.

Visit our website for more information about Under One Roof. https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/detail/under-one-roof

Announcing Our Student Silent Film Winners! 🎥

We’re excited to celebrate the winners of the Friends of Music Hall Student Silent Film Contest:

Rowan Redmond (with Gray Oscar) — Let’s Talk Silence�
Aramenta Ashshakir — Repatriating Self

Join us Friday, April 17 at 6PM (doors at 5:30PM) for a special screening of these powerful student films before The Mark of Zorro featuring organist Clark Wilson on the Mighty Wurlitzer.

Come support the next generation of storytellers on the big screen!

Get your tickets: cincinnatiarts.org or 513-621-2787

Pictured:
Photo 1: Rowan Redmond
Photo 2: Gray Oscar
Photo 3: Aramenta Ashshakir

When Ken Baker TV from FOX19 stops by, you know something special is happening at Music Hall!

We were thrilled to welcome him behind the scenes to experience the magic of the Mighty Wurlitzer and get a preview of our upcoming Silent Movies Made Musical event.

This year, we’re bringing the swashbuckling classic The Mark of Zorro to life in the Music Hall Ballroom with live accompaniment by renowned organist Clark Wilson, one of the nation’s leading silent film scorers.

Every duel, every dramatic moment, every bit of adventure is enhanced in real time by the Mighty Wurlitzer, the instrument originally designed to replace an entire orchestra in silent film theaters.

📅 Friday, April 17, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.

📍 Music Hall Ballroom

🎟️ Tickets are still available! Use the code MOVIE10 and receive $10 off the original ticket price. https://friendsofmusichall.org/events/silent-movies-made-musical-2026with-the-mighty-wurlitzer-organ/

This is more than a movie. I’s a fully immersive, step-back-in-time experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Watch the segment with Kickin' It With Ken: https://www.fox19.com/video/2026/04/06/friends-music-hall-presents-2026-organ-season/

Silent Movies Made Musical 2026with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ - Friends of Music Hall The Mark of Zorro ventures into the Music Hall Ballroom through the Magic of the Mighty Wurlitzer on Friday, April 17, … Read More