MANTRA: "Listen to each track with an open mind," Darko Butorac recommends for his playlist. "I find myself being reminded of this mantra at concerts all the time." Photo by Dario Acosta; design by ...

Debbie Allen never got to spend time in person with Michael Morgan. But on the strength of a single Zoom meeting with the Oakland Symphony's late music director, she knew she wanted to work with him.