I had a fantastic conversation with the great radio personality and “classical music agitator” Garrett McQueen on his podcast, Trilloquy. Joined by Idith Korman of Ensemble Pi, we talked about their upcoming concert “Reparations Now” and my new piece for the performance called, “The Pattern,” along with the meaning of reparations and the many patterns of white supremacy. The conversation was rich and illuminating, and I do hope you will all take a listen!
“Reparations Now” will stream live at 7pm EST on Thursday, October 29, 2020 on The Center at West Park’s website. The event is free and there is a $10 suggested donation.
I had a blast talking and sharing music with Tarik Ghiradella and Anna Linvill of WHUP’s “Composer’s Studio.” This show features live performances and conversations with living classical composers and musicians about music, life, and what’s happening in the genre defying world of classical music today. “Composer’s Studio” is a place where living art is made, a place without boundaries where inspiration can come from anywhere from birdsong to heavy metal, Vivaldi to the hum of a vacuum cleaner. Classical composers today are no longer confined to the concert stage or the cathedral but contribute to film scores, television commercials, video game soundtracks and beyond. With special emphasis on the local scene, this is a classical music show like none you have ever heard. Listen to the full episode here!
Excited to announce the release of cellist Amanda Gookin’s, “Forward Music Project 1.0” My piece “Stolen” is featured on this record which you can purchase here. Here’s more info about the project:
For elevating stories of suffering and joy. For raising awareness of injustice. For shining a light on a culture of musical patriarchal deification. Whether you come with caution and leave with curiosity, come as a victim and find a voice, or come as an ally and feel a sense of community, I founded Forward Music Project for you.
For mothers. For sisterhood. For brave storytellers and quiet listeners. I sing, I gasp, I fight, I breathe life into the work of these fearless artists. I founded Forward Music Project for you. And you are not alone.
-Amanda Gookin, April 2020 Cellist and creator of Forward Music Project
Super excited to announce my participation in the Boccaccio Project! I’ve composed a piece for my Flutronix partner, Nathalie Joachim entitled, Have and Hold. Watch video of the performance here. Read for more details about the project from The Library of Congress:
A Series of Musical Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
In the mid-14th century Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) wrote the Decameron, a collection of 100 stories shared between a group of 10 acquaintances who had removed themselves from society during the darkest period of a plague. This early artistic response to an outbreak provided context and a means of expression, and the parallels to the quarantine and social distancing phenomena we have been experiencing worldwide in these difficult past few months resonate with us.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we draw on Boccaccio’s example to offer some musical responses. We have asked 10 pairs of composers and performers to write and perform brief solo works to be premiered online over the course of 10 weekdays in June.
About
Have and Hold reflects the desire to be near others during an extended period of social distancing and isolation. Personally, I have realized that being around people and experiencing life with them not only brings me great joy, but fuels my energy, creativity and spirit. This piece is truly dedicated to all of the people in my life who I miss dearly and long to be near again.
It was an honor to join violinist Randall Goosby, harpist Charles Overton and tenor George Shirley for a panel discussion on our experience as Black musicians working under the “classical” canon. Our talk concluded with powerful performances from each artist. Watch the performance of my piece “Hammers” with myself on flute and the wonderful, Sandbox Percussion.
