Mark MacNamara

Mark MacNamara, a writer and journalist based in Asheville, North Carolina, has written for such publications as Nautilus, Salon, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Vanity Fair. From time to time, his pieces in San Francisco Classical Voice also appear in ArtsJournal.com.  Noteworthy examples include a piece about Philip Glass’s dream to build a cultural center on the Pacific Coast; a profile of sound composer Pamela Z and an essay on the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. MacNamara recently won several awards in the 2018 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards presented by the San Francisco Press Club.  His website is macnamband.com.

Articles By This Author

Othalie Graham
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The Faces in Othalie Graham’s Mirror

Mark MacNamara - March 29, 2022

A dramatic soprano at the peak of her powers talks about the life of a singer, climbing the ladder, and staying grounded.

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The Last Water Fountain: The Struggle Against Systemic Racism in Classical Music

Mark MacNamara - September 1, 2020

Musicians of the Colour of Music Festival recount the difficulties for Black musicians to break into classical music.

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Aubrey Bergauer Is Writing a New Script for Classical Music Engagement

Mark MacNamara - January 3, 2020

The successful, young executive is ruffling some feathers with her message of change for classical-music organizations.

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States of Denial: How a Visa Application Derailed a Musician’s Appearance at the Kronos Festival

Mark MacNamara - June 18, 2019

Hawa Diabaté missed the festival due to visa delays, but the problem is much wider than that.

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States of Denial: Visa Rejections Cause Cancellations at S.F. International Arts Festival

Mark MacNamara - May 25, 2019

Two companies will not perform at the SFIAF because of unusual visa rejections.

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The Legacy of Dr. Legato

Mark MacNamara - March 1, 2019

The portrait of a veteran saxophonist, still at large.

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David Stull’s Culture of Achievement

Mark MacNamara - November 27, 2018

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s president has a strategy to make music conservatories broader and more relevant.

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The Mindful Provocateur: Conductor Michael Morgan in Strange Times

Mark MacNamara - November 6, 2018

The Oakland Symphony's conductor focuses on using music to bring his community together.

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On Nimrod’s Knee: The Activist Roots of the Green Center’s Jacob Yarrow

Mark MacNamara - October 8, 2018

The Green Center’s new executive director looks to make art matter to his student constituents.

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Curse of the Maestros: The Orpheus Effect Revisited, Part III

Mark MacNamara - May 22, 2018

Can a "flat" organization prevent the abuse endemic in hierarchies? Are humane values worth some inefficiency?