The Hildegard Composer Competition is National Sawdust’s mentorship initiative highlighting outstanding trans, female, and nonbinary composers in the early stages of their careers, supporting them with a commission, visionary mentorship, and access to a network of leading working collaborators.
Glad to be a part of this album, playing with The National Sawdust Ensemble. Take a listen 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
New Music Box recently wrote an article about me and my upcoming commission for the Raleigh Civic Orchestra, funded by the New Music USA grant. I’m very excited for this project, as it is my first time writing for an orchestra! This piece explores the concept of the inter-generational transmission of trauma (i.e slavery, the holocaust, etc.), and will be a part of a larger program that explores similar experiences and histories, and demonstrates the power of music to respond and create collectivity in the face of adversity.