University of Nebraska Omaha College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media

The Silent Canon


The Silent Canon is produced by KVNO in partnership with the Omaha Symphony and seeks to celebrate the important contributions of Black composers, conductors and musicians to the canon of classical music.
Hear The Silent Canon Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. beginning February 23 through May 22 on KVNO
"You come to this realization that, whatever you're taught through our normal channels of music education, that this is largely left off—it's as if people of color, in particular Black or people of African descent, didn't write classical music." —Dr. Anthony Trecek-King
The history of Western classical music is often experienced through a narrow lens that leaves out important figures and works of art. This begs the question: who do we celebrate and why? Created by conductor, musician, and educator Dr. Anthony Trecek-King, The Silent Canon explores the work of Black artists, centering their stories and their music.
About Dr. Anthony Trecek-King
Dr. Anthony Trecek-King (Dr. TK) is a graduate of Bellevue West High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is a former professor at his alma mater. He has an international reputation as a choral conductor, scholar and media personality. He is passionate about cultivating artistically excellent ensembles that explore socially relevant issues and is an ardent advocate for the recognition of African-American composers and performers. Ensembles under his direction were integral to projects that have won a Pulitzer Prize, received a Grammy, and earned the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from Presidential Committee on the Arts. Dr. TK has worked with a variety of artists and ensembles including Yo Yo Ma, Leslie Odom Jr., Seraphic Fire, Keith Lockhart, and John Williams. He has led performances in world-renowned venues including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House.
Dr. TK can also be seen on-air and online on the Emmy nominated WGBH television series "Sing That Thing", and two TEDx Boston talks. He was just named a resident conductor for the Handel and Haydn Society.