On September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. But it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, nearly three years later, that a union general arrived in Galveston, Texas with news of the end of the Civil War. 

As there were no Union troops on the ground to enforce Lincoln’s proclamation, Texas was virtually unaffected by it. Therefore, after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the arrival of the formidable Union regiment in Texas, the last of the slaves were finally freed on that day in June, now known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth marks the oldest national commemoration of the end of slavery and as of June 17, 2021, is officially a federal holiday in the U.S. In honor of African-American independence, we are excited to take this opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the extensive contributions of Black composers and musicians throughout the musical canon! We hope you’ll join us in honor of this historic event.

This Saturday, June 19, we wanted to take time to celebrate the artistry of Black musicians and composers throughout the history of American music, from jazz and classical to pop and beyond. 

CapRadio Music (88.9FM in Sacramento)

Until 3 p.m.: Classical Music from C-24

Classical -24 from APM will be featuring the music of Black composers in celebration of Juneteenth.

3 - 4 p.m.: Summer Garden Concert Series: Chevalier Quartet (Encore Performance)

This performance features all-black composers and piggybacks on an educational film project currently being produced that highlights the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a Black man writing classical music in the 1700s. You will hear gorgeous music for strings from neglected black composers, spanning the last 200 years.

4 - 5 p.m.: Connections: The African-American Connection

Stephen Peithman’s African-American Connection reflects on the African-American experience through music featuring works by eight great composers including William Grant Still, Scott Joplin, George Walker, Florence Price, and more.

5 - 6 p.m.: Let Freedom Ring featuring Lara Downes

On a day when America commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in our country, we welcome you to "Let Freedom Ring: A Musical Celebration of Juneteenth" with Lara Downes. Lara has been shining a bright light on the music and contributions of Black composers through her performances, podcasts, and recordings. In this one-hour special, Lara takes listeners on a unique journey through musical heritage and the celebration of freedom.

6 - 8 p.m.: Saturdays at 6

CapRadio's genre-defying contemporary art music program, Saturdays at 6 will showcase the music of today's most dynamic Black composers and artists like Valerie Coleman, Nathalie Joachim, Daniel Bernard Roumain, 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner Tania Leon, and more.

8 p.m. to midnight: At the Opera: Treemonisha

At The Opera host Sean Bianco brings you Scott Joplin’s groundbreaking and Pulitzer Prize-winning opera “Treemonisha,” about a Black community and their journey to Freedom in post-slavery America. Sean will also feature an interview with operatic bass-baritone Simon Estes who’s had an international career since the 1960s.

CapRadio (90.9FM in Sacramento)

1 - 3 p.m.: Mick Martin's Blues Party

Saturday’s show features more music by winners of this year’s Blues Music Awards, blues classics in honor of Juneteenth and vintage Sacramento blues.

3 - 5 p.m.: Hey, Listen!

Hey, Listen! focuses on the work of Black Americans in rock, hip hop, R&B and more this weekend with tracks by Arlo Parks, Madlib, Lianne La Havas and local artists like Camilla Covington, Tre Burt and more.

7 - 8 p.m.: KZAP on CapRadio

Dennis Newhall honors the many Black rockers that makeup K-ZAP’s 50-year history with tracks from Gary Clark, Jr., Ben Harper, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Adia Victoria, The Alabama Shakes and more.

8 - 10 p.m.: Hey, Listen!

Hey, Listen! focuses on the work of Black Americans in rock, hip hop, R&B and more this weekend with tracks by Arlo Parks, Madlib, Lianne La Havas and local artists like Camilla Covington, Tre Burt and more.

10 - midnight: Acid Jazz

Acid Jazz features a mosaic of speeches and music to honor Juneteenth this weekend. Gary Vercelli interviews Henry Robinett and weaves speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.into the weekly mix. Hear Bobby Womack, Thievery Corporation, Robert Glasper, Cannonball Adderley and more.