This week on Classically/Speaking, Nicholas and Sam break down two of the biggest cultural shifts happening in the classical world: the viral explosion of orchestral content on TikTok and YouTube, and the global resurgence of cinematic film scores.

From meme-worthy Mahler moments to packed arenas for Hans Zimmer and Classical-Pop crossover sensation...Rosalia, classical music is reaching new audiences in ways nobody predicted. Nicholas unpacks the digital trends driving orchestras into the spotlight, while Sam explores why film, TV, and video-game scores have become the primary gateway into orchestral music for Gen Z and Millennials.

Together, they dive into:

• Why orchestras are suddenly going viral
• How short-form video is reshaping musical discovery
• The rise of cinematic scores in streaming culture
• What younger audiences are looking for in classical music
• How ensembles like voices/LA can tap into these moments
• The future of programming in an increasingly visual, digital era

Whether you’re a performer, composer, student, or culture-curious listener, this Hot Topics episode reveals how classical music is transforming right now—and why this moment matters.

New to the show? Follow Classically/Speaking for weekly conversations that explore performance, artistry, and the evolving culture of classical music.

This week, Sam Estes sits down with tenor Pasquale Esposito to explore how a single holiday album can carry two cultures at once. Pasquale shares how his Italian heritage shapes his vocal identity, how Neapolitan musical traditions inform his phrasing and arrangements, and why Christmas repertoire is uniquely powerful for connecting audiences across borders. Listeners will learn how artists preserve cultural memory, how music becomes a passport between Italy and the United States, and what it takes to create a holiday album that feels both deeply rooted and widely accessible. This is an episode about tradition, storytelling, and the universal warmth of home.

In this episode of classically/SPEAKING, host Nicholas Clements-Lindsey sits down with John Funkhouser, Fundraising Chair of Voices/LA, to unpack how performing arts organizations begin, grow, and sustain themselves through thoughtful development strategy. Together, they explore what it really takes to turn artistic vision into institutional impact from launching a nonprofit to building donor relationships and fostering long-term community trust.

This conversation will give listeners a candid look at the intersection of creativity and sustainability where art meets operations, and inspiration meets infrastructure.