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Sitars and Symphonies: LA Composer Reena Esmail Fuses Indian Ragas with Western Rhythms We continue our California composers series with Reena Esmail. Her childhood in Los Angeles had two soundtracks: the Western classical music her parents loved, and the old, scratchy Bollywood tapes her paternal grandparents would play over and over. Those multicultural influences shaped what would become the driving question of her work: how do you invite people from different cultures onto the same stage to build a relationship and create music together? Composing is how Esmail has made her mark — by putting Western classical musicians in conversation with Indian artists, building bridges between violinists and sitar players, tabla drummers and western singers. She's an artist in residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, has composed with unhoused singers from Skid Row, and her music has been performed by major orchestras and choirs all over the world. How a UC Berkeley Professor Confronts Division With a Vision for Belonging Professor john a. powell spent much of his early life feeling like he didn't belong. At just 11 years old, he became estranged from his deeply religious family. After questioning church doctrine and not getting the answers he was looking for, powell — who spells his name in lowercase — left the church, and his father did not speak to him for five years. But that pivotal moment was the beginning of the path that led him to his life's work. powell is the director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, where he's also a professor of law, African American studies and ethnic studies. He's the author of two recent books, “Belonging Without Othering,” and “The Power of Bridging.” powell spoke with host Sasha Khokha as part of our series on Californians and resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Metai baigiasi, laikas skaičiuoti geriausius. Nuo šiol „Kitame laike“ iki pat Kūčių – geriausieji 2024-ųjų leidiniai. Visų pirma akademinės, tada džiazo, o paskiausiai – pasaulio muzikos. Pirmoje laidoje – klasikos derlius:Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon – Mozart: Requiem (Harmonia Mundi);Žibuoklė Martinaitytė: ALETHEIA – Choral Works; Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Klava (Ondine);Takács Quartet – Ngwenyama: Flow (Hyperion);Bertrand Chamayou – Cage² (Erato);Kremerata Baltica, Gidon Kremer, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Magdalena Ceple, Andrei Pushkarev – Songs of Fate (ECM New Series);Fume – Mass (Sūru Records);Yunchan Lim – Chopin: Études, Opp. 10 & 25 (Decca);Miró Quartet – Home (Pentatone);Vinsent Planjer – Warm To the Touch (Kepera Records);Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución diamantina – Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Gustavo Dudamel (Platoon);Anna Gourari, Orchestra Dell Svizzera Italiana, Markus Poschner – Paul Hindemith / Alfred Schnittke (ECM);Echo Vocal Ensemble, Sarah Latto – Innocence: Echo Vocal Ensemble (Resonus Classics);Reto Bieri, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Polina Leschenko – Take 3 (Alpha);Anima Eterna, Pablo Heras-Casado – Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 (Harmonia Mundi).Ved. Domantas Razauskas
Moira Smiley refers to herself as a song collector; she's also a singer, multi-instrumentalist (banjo, accordion, piano, and hand & body percussion), and songwriter. Smiley has sung in arenas, cathedrals, kitchens, back porches, sound stages, and on glaciers with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Tune-Yards, Tim O'Brien, Eric Whitacre, Los Angeles Master Chorale, New World Symphony and Solas. But she's spent a good portion of her career collecting, arranging and performing traditional songs from Appalachia, The Balkans, The Republic of Georgia, Wales, and more. Her latest album is called The Rhizome Project, and features a string quartet along with many guests. Moira Smiley and a string quartet perform in-studio. Set list: 1. Go Dig My Grave 2. Mourning Dove 3.Now Is The Cool Of The Day The Rhizome Project by Moira Smiley
What up, Beasts? Welcome back to the show. Today I am hanging out with my old friend, old pal Myk Price! Myk was born on a Tuesday, but he wasn't born LAST Tuesday, so don't try and get smart, Bucko! Myk was born in Queens, New York, and moved with his family to Southern California just before Neil Armstrong did his "One Giant Leap for Mankind" bit. Somewhat of a musical prodigy, he earned a music scholarship at the age of ten for a private school in Northridge, California, where he learned the majority of his musical instruments and vocal training. As a singer, Myk has performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, as well as an instrumentalist and singer for an A&E documentary on the Titanic. Myk was Associate Conductor for the New Valley Symphony Orchestra, the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale, and co-creator of the Celtic international music group, Sheer Pandemonium. Currently, Myk is the Board of Directors President and performer for the Los Angeles Recorder Orchestra, based in Mar Vista, and as of 2022, has been performing across the country as a professional Santa Claus. As always, I hope something lands with you today. I hope something you hear tugs on your heart-strings and/or I hope you laugh. Music by Prymary: Sean Entrikin (my hot husband) on guitar, Chris Quirarte on drums, Smiley Sean on keyboards, Rob Young on bass, and Jaxon Duane on vocals Connect with Myk: https://linktr.ee/blacksantamyk Where can you find me? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautiful_beast_within/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulBeastWithin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4yNE6fXeDH9IsUoWfOf0pg Podcast: beautifulbeastwithin.com/unveilingthebeastpodcast To book a FREE 60 minute coaching session with me, go to beautifulbeastwithin.com Click on the big purple button, and book your appointment! Unveil the Beautiful Beast Within YOU! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/beautiful-beast-within/support
Michael and David speak of many things ... part of the reason they always seem to have so much fun. Among other things Michael speaks of how he manages to invite "the muses" and keeps his art both open and discreet at the same time. He also speaks of his work as musical composer for the brand new Disney series, Star Wars: The Acolyte. I always have speaking with Michael: our times always feel rich and multi-dimensional.2023 Pulitzer Prize-winning and Emmy- and Grammy-nominated composer Michael Abels is best known for his genre-defying scores for the Jordan Peele films GET OUT, US and NOPE. The score for US won a World Soundtrack Award, the Jerry Goldsmith Award, a Critics Choice nomination, multiple critics awards, and was named “Score of the Decade” by The Wrap. Both US and NOPE were shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Original Score. In 2022, Abels' music was honored by the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Middleburg Film Festival, and the Museum of the Moving Image. NOPE was awarded Best Score for a Studio Film by the Society of Composers & Lyricists. Other recent projects include the films BAD EDUCATION, NIGHTBOOKS, and the docu-series ALLEN v. FARROW. Current releases include CHEVALIER (Toronto Intl Film Festival) and LANDSCAPE WITH INVISIBLE HAND (Sundance 2022), his second collaboration with director Cory Finley. Upcoming projects include THE BURIAL (Amazon), and a series for Disney Plus.Abels' creative output also includes many concert works, including the choral song cycle AT WAR WITH OURSELVES for the Kronos Quartet, the Grammy-nominated ISOLATION VARIATION for Hilary Hahn, and OMAR, an opera co-composed with Grammy-winning recording artist Rhiannon Giddens. The New York Times named OMAR one of the 10 Best Classical Performances of 2022 and said, “What Giddens and Abels created is an ideal of American sound, an inheritor of the Gershwins' “Porgy and Bess” but more honest to its subject matter, conjuring folk music, spirituals, Islamic prayer and more, woven together with a compelling true story that transcends documentary.”Abels other concert works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and many others. Some of these pieces are available on the Cedille label, including DELIGHTS & DANCES, GLOBAL WARMING and WINGED CREATURES. Recent commissions include EMERGE for the National Symphony and Detroit Symphony, and a guitar concerto BORDERS for Grammy-nominated artist Mak Grgic.Abels is co-founder of the Composers Diversity Collective, an advocacy group to increase visibility of composers of color in film, gaming and streaming media.https://michaelabels.com/
“I grew up thinking that we should sound like the music we're singing. There was never one right way for me. There are those great choral traditions where they sing everything a certain way. I never wanted to be that way. We can do seven different pieces in seven entirely different styles. You would think, 'is that the same choir?' That's something that my choirs take seriously.”Recipient of the President's Award from the California Music Educators Association honoring "extraordinary accomplishments in music education," Dr. Jonathan Talberg serves as Director of Choral Activities at the Bob Cole Conservatory, where he is conductor of the international award-winning Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir and the CSULB University Choir. Recent career highlights include leading the Chamber Choir to first place at the Austrian Spittal International Choir Festival and the "Choir of the World" competition in Wales. Additionally, he and the choir have performed with groups as diverse as the Kronos Quartet, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Pacific Symphony and the Rolling Stones.A passionate advocate for choral music education, Dr. Talberg is regularly engaged to conduct honor choirs across the US, including numerous all-state choruses, and Music Education conference choirs. His choirs have performed in venues throughout Europe and Asia.A past-president of the California Choral Directors Association, he serves as an editor at Pavane Music Publishing, where a choral series dedicated to outstanding quality, collegiate-level music is published under his name. Of the many hats he wears each day, the one he is most proud of is mentor to the next generation of choral musicians. Alumni of the Bob Cole Conservatory Choral Studies program are teaching at elementary, middle and high schools, churches, community colleges and four-year universities throughout the country. Scores of alumni are professional singers and/or currently earning—or have finished—their doctorates at some of the finest institutions in the country.Dr. Talberg received his BM from Chapman University, his MM and DMA from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, and the May Festival Chorus. To get in touch with Jonathan, you can email him at jonathan.talberg@csulb.edu or find him on Instagram: @jonathantalberg .Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson
The emotional, some say spiritual, effect music has on us is notoriously difficult to put into words. It's sort of like analyzing why something is funny. The reality ever exceeds our verbal grasp. Why are minor chords sad and majors happy? Why, when you hear a song from your childhood is there a superglue of emotion attached, bringing you instantly to those moments long ago? This week's guest is one of the greats in the choral music world. If you enjoy music with a lush, cinematic sound created for multiple voices on the exquisite side, Morten Lauridsen is your man. The most frequently performed American composer of choral music, Lauridsen is a National Medal of Arts recipient (2007), he was composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (1994–2001), and has been a professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for more than 50 years. His work has been recorded on over 200 CDs including five with Grammy nominations. We're talking serious musical gravitas here. On November 11, 2018, a massive concert for international television is being held at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany to mark the centenary of the end of World War One. In addition to Welsh composer Karl Jenkins' Mass for Peace, the other piece selected is Lauridsen's beautiful Lux Aeterna. I predict not a dry eye on that night. You can imagine my surprise when, during the interview, the great man spontaneously began playing a portion of his classic O Magnum Mysterium to explain why the notes for the word “Virgo” ground the piece in a special way! In this interview, you will learn: Why every artist has to risk failure; as not trying guarantees failure How Lauridsen became a late bloomer as a composer, at age 50, and maybe how you can, too Why poetry deserves a massive revival The importance of stillness and quiet for human serenity and creativity The mysterious way in which music connects us to the divine Resources mentioned in this episode: O Magnum Mysterium performance Lux Aeterna performance Profound talk by director Karl Paulnack to music freshmen at Boston College Conservatory CD album, Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna; Madrigali; Ave Maria; Ubi Caritas CD album streaming, Lauridsen: Mid-Winter Songs Connect with Morten: www.mortenlauridsen.net
Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, is among today's most popular musicians. His works are programmed worldwide and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united over 100,000 singers from more than 145 countries. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Eric is currently Visiting Composer at Pembroke College, Cambridge University (UK) and is an Ambassador for the Royal College of Music (London). Eric served two terms as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and is proud to be a Yamaha Artist. His long-term relationship with Universal/Decca Classics has produced several ‘hit' albums. Recent compositions include a long-form work - The Sacred Veil - and an orchestral piece - Prelude in C - commissioned by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. His collaboration with Spitfire Audio has resulted in two trail-blazing vocal sample libraries which are used by composers the world-over. Peter and Eric discuss Eric's Grammy Award-winning compositions, electronic music, philosophies on creating art, the relationship between music, conductor, and ensemble, and many more topics. Please welcome Eric Whitacre.
REWIND: The Musician’s Podcast - How to Grow Your Music Career
Visit HOW TO GROW YOUR MUSIC CAREER BLOG for more valuable insights on your music career! What is the process of scoring a film? How do you make a good film score? How competitive is film scoring? In Episode 3 of our podcast, we are thrilled to feature the incredible Sharon Farber. Sharon is a GRAMMY Awards Winning Composer whose musical prowess has left an indelible mark on the realms of film, TV, and concert composition. Join us as we delve into Sharon's illustrious career, exploring her journey from the prestigious halls of Berklee College of Music to becoming a member of the Executives Committees of both the Motion Pictures and TV Academies. A four-time Emmy Award Nominee, Sharon has not only clinched a GRAMMY for her work on the album "WOMEN WARRIORS: THE VOICES OF CHANGE" but has also been honored with the Visionary Award in Music by The Women's International Film & Television Showcase. Discover the magic behind Sharon's latest scores, including the premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival for "Brainwashed- Sex-Camera- Power" and the emotionally charged "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story" for LIFETIME TV. We'll also explore her upcoming projects, including scoring director Gev Miron's feature doc "Solar Wars" and a slate of films from Aegis Film Group. Sharon Farber's impact extends beyond the silver screen, with her Corona project, "I'm Standing With You," a monumental collaboration with 12-time OSCAR nominee Diane Warren. This arrangement, produced for the United Nations' Corona relief fund, features 17 lead singers from around the globe and 160 talented instrumentalists — a project of unprecedented scale and significance. In the realm of concert music, Sharon's compositions have resonated globally, earning her credits and commissions from prestigious institutions such as The Los Angeles Master Chorale, Juilliard School of Music, and Opera Națională București. We'll also explore her role as the Music Director of Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills, infusing spirituality with the harmonious blend of music, dance, and art. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sharon Farber, where each note is a testament to her remarkable journey in the world of composition. This is a symphony of success you won't want to miss! If you want to support the podcast, don't forget to rate the podcast and give it a follow. It will help the podcast reach more people who might find it interesting! Feel free to reach out with any questions, on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or through my email listed on my website, where I share additional content about music, career, and artificial intelligence in music. The podcast website: https://www.aweinermusic.com/ Amit Weiner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-weiner/ Stay tuned and don't forget to REWIND!
Sydney Skybetter and producer Kamal Sinclair chat about the intersection of the cultural sector, emerging technologies, and the vintage hardware that shaped their childhoods. Are we all complicit in these complex cultural systems? Oh, and also, can we please bring back the Filofax? About Kamal: Kamal Sinclair supports artists, institutions, and communities working at the convergence of art, media, culture, and technology. Currently, she serves as the Senior Director of Digital Innovation at The Music Center in Los Angeles, which is home to TMC Arts, Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera, and LA Phil. Additionally, she serves as an advisor or board member to Peabody Awards interactive Board, For Freedoms, NEW INC.'s ONX Studio, Civic Signals, For Freedoms, MIT's Center for Advanced Virtuality, Starfish Accelerator, Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation, and Eyebeam. Previously, she was the Director of Sundance Institute's New Frontier Labs Program, External Advisor to Ford Foundation's JustFilms and MacArthur Foundation's Journalism & Media Program, Adjunct Professor at USC's Media Arts + Practice program, and Executive Director of the Guild of Future Architects. She is the co-author of Making a New Reality. Sinclair got her start in emerging media as an artist and producer on Question Bridge: Black Males, where she and her collaborators launched a project with an interactive website and curriculum; published a book; exhibited in over sixty museums/festivals. Read the transcript, and find more resources in our archive: https://www.are.na/choreographicinterfaces/dwr-ep-4-fierce-on-the-palm-pilot-a-conversation-with-kamal-sinclair Like, subscribe, and review here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dances-with-robots/id1715669152 What We Discuss with Kamal (Timestamps): 0:00:00: Introduction to Kamal Sinclair 0:01:32: Discussion on the influence of Minority Report on technology and body interfaces. 0:04:56: Personal experiences with early mobile devices and anticipation of smartphones. 0:07:10: Exploring the cyclical nature of technology and imagining the future. 0:08:10: The role of a curator in identifying and bridging new forms of art and technology. 0:09:18: The importance of following the artist and supporting their vision. 0:10:38: Balancing the promise and ethics of technology in art. 0:12:29: Exciting emerging art in storytelling, aesthetics, and movement. 0:15:18: The power of imagination and action in shaping the future. 0:17:43: The relationship between bodies and technologies. 0:18:53: The influence of disability and otherly abled experiences on technology. 0:19:41: Dance historical perspectives on the bodies of the future. 0:21:26: The need to consider nature and relationships in future designs. 0:23:25: The negative impact of militarized surveillance technologies on marginalized groups 0:25:39: Discussion on the immersive VR experience of Birdly 0:27:02: Healing and altered states through immersive experiences 0:28:30: Managing complicity and the future of work for artists 0:30:41: Closing with the acknowledgement of not knowing 0:31:19: Show credits & thanks The Dances with Robots Team Host: Sydney Skybetter Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ariane Michaud Archivist and Web Designer: Kate Gow Podcasting Consultant: Megan Hall Accessibility Consultant: Laurel Lawson Music: Kamala Sankaram Audio Production Consultant: Jim Moses Assistant Editor: Andrew Zukoski Student Associate: Rishika Kartik About CRCI The Conference for Research on Choreographic Interfaces (CRCI) explores the braid of choreography, computation and surveillance through an interdisciplinary lens. Find out more at www.choreographicinterfaces.org Brown University's Department of Theatre Arts & Performance Studies' Conference for Research on Choreographic Interfaces thanks the Marshall Woods Lectureships Foundation of Fine Arts, the Brown Arts Institute, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for their generous support of this project. The Brown Arts Institute and the Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies are part of the Perelman Arts District.
Marissa Benedict was born in San Francisco, California and raised in Marin County where she started playing piano at age 7, violin at age 9 and trumpet at age 10 (studying with Joe Alessi, Sr.). She continued playing all three instruments until graduating from high school and moving to Los Angeles to attend USC, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance (June 1984), studying with Boyde Hood. Marissa is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Before leaving for Minnesota she was a freelance trumpet player in Los Angeles for 34 years. She is currently principal trumpet for The Pasadena Symphony/Pasadena Pops and plays regularly with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Los Angeles Master Chorale. Marissa recently performed and recorded Mahler's 8th symphony in the Minnesota Orchestra's Mahler Project, played for Charles Lazarus' CD Merrier and Brighter (2022), Jack Stamp's Chamber Music Volume 1 (released July 2023), and the Los Angeles Trumpet Ensemble's Homage (release: August 2023), featuring eight of the top trumpeters in Southern California. She also toured with the L.A. Philharmonic on their “Boston to London” 2018 tour, and on 2019 tours to Asia and Scotland. She played for the 2019 Academy Awards (Oscars®) and recorded Celebrating John Williams with the L.A. Phil under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel. A very active and in-demand studio player, she can be heard on nearly 160 motion picture recordings, including Spider-Man No Way Home, Avatar 2: The Way of the Water, Lightyear, Incredibles II, Spider-Man Far from Home, Coco, Moana, Rogue One, Spider-Man, Homecoming, Indiana Jones IV, Avatar, The Polar Express, Spider-Man 2, Monsters, Inc., and War of the Worlds. Her television studio recording credits include Star Trek : Discovery, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Voyager and Deep Space Nine, JAG, Commander in Chief and Galavant. Marissa's current trumpet studio consists of 16 trumpet students (Undergraduate, Master's degree and Doctoral of Musical Arts), ranging from Bachelor of Arts, Music Ed, Music Performance, double majors of Computer Science/Performance and MuEd/Performance. All of her graduated MuEd and Performance majors are currently teaching music and/or performing in the Minneapolis area. She continues to recruit and give masterclasses and special guest performances throughout the Twin Cities and across the US and remains very active in the community.
Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been called "devastatingly beautiful" (The Washington Post) and praised for its "soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies deployed with finesse" (The New York Times). Trumbore's compositions have been performed by the Chicago Symphony's MusicNOW ensemble, Conspirare and the Miró Quartet, soprano Liv Redpath, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Modesto Symphony, and Pasadena Symphony. She has written extensively about working through creative blocks and establishing a career in music in essays and in her first book, Staying Composed. Learn more about Trumbore's music and writing at daletrumbore.com.In this episode, we talk about collaboration and advocacy related to composers, writers, and more! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tKVY7X-sxVs The Music (ed) Matters Podcast is sponsored by our friends over at Perform International. Thinking of going on tour domestically or abroad, want to take a solo tour, or team up with a dynamic festival? PI offers the best educationally sound and culturally significant experiences! Check them out, and tell them Emmy sent you :) Perform-International.com Order your copy of “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713 or check out the website, businessofchoir.com. Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content, and more!**Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
Top-tier flutist talks her career as a studio musician in Hollywood and her many collaborations with John Williams on such legendary scores as Hook, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, The BFG, and many others Hosted by Maurizio Caschetto Geraldine Rotella is unquestionably one of the most heard flutists in the world. In a career now spanning five decades, she performed as a freelance on many studio recordings in Los Angeles, thus becoming one of the first-call studio musicians working in the area. She's also Principal Flutist for the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Assistant Principal/Piccolo for the Pasadena Symphony. Geri Rotella performed on thousands of session dates for film and television soundtracks, playing for some of Hollywood's most acclaimed composers including John Williams, for whom he's the piccolo player since 1990 and performed on such legendary scores as Hook, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, The Lost World, Amistad, The Patriot, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can, Memoirs of a Geisha, War of the Worlds, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Adventures of Tintin, War Horse, The Book Thief, The BFG and the Star Wars sequel trilogy. She can be often heard playing high-pitched notes in the piccolo during the action scenes of those films (the Velociraptor sequences in the Jurassic Park movies being some of the trickiest she ever performed), but also performed a lot beautiful lyrical alto flute parts. In this conversation, Geri Rotella talks her illustrious career as a studio musician in Hollywood, highlighting her family heritage and unique musical upbringing, the mentorship she received from Sheridon Stokes and Louise Di Tullio, and her many collaborations with John Williams throughout the years. Geri recollects the unforgettable experiences playing on such scores as Hook, Jurassic Park, The BFG and Indiana Jones among others, reflecting on Williams' flute writing and also at his skills as a communicator on the podium. For more information and the listing of the musical excerpts, go to https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2023/06/07/geri-rotella-podcast/
"In choir we have a chance to learn to embody a different culture through its language. When you're singing pieces in another language, there's a moment where you have to feel that you speak that language if only for a few words, if only a few moments. I think that has the capacity to create a kind of empathy regardless of whether that's your culture or not. To embody it does create this empathy that I really believe in as a way to make our world a little closer for the right reasons."Indian-American composer Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music, and brings communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces. Esmail's life and music was profiled on Season 3 of PBS Great Performances series Now Hear This, as well as Frame of Mind, a podcast from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Esmail divides her attention evenly between orchestral, chamber and choral work. She has written commissions for ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Kronos Quartet, and her music has featured on multiple Grammy-nominated albums, including The Singing Guitar by Conspirare, BRUITS by Imani Winds, and Healing Modes by Brooklyn Rider. Many of her choral works are published by Oxford University Press.Esmail is the Los Angeles Master Chorale's 2020-2025 Swan Family Artist in Residence, and was Seattle Symphony's 2020-21 Composer-in-Residence. She also holds awards/fellowships from United States Artists, the S&R Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Kennedy Center.Esmail holds degrees in composition from The Juilliard School (BM'05) and the Yale School of Music (MM'11, MMA'14, DMA'18). Her primary teachers have included Susan Botti, Aaron Jay Kernis, Christopher Theofanidis, Christopher Rouse and Samuel Adler. She received a Fulbright-Nehru grant to study Hindustani music in India. Her Hindustani music teachers include Srimati Lakshmi Shankar and Gaurav Mazumdar, and she currently studies and collaborates with Saili Oak. Her doctoral thesis, entitled Finding Common Ground: Uniting Practices in Hindustani and Western Art Musicians explores the methods and challenges of the collaborative process between Hindustani musicians and Western composers.Esmail was Composer-in-Residence for Street Symphony (2016-18) and is currently an Artistic Director of Shastra, a non-profit organization that promotes cross-cultural music connecting music traditions of India and the West.She currently resides in her hometown of Los Angeles, California.To get in touch with Reena, you can find her on Instagram (@reenaesmail) or check out her website: https://www.reenaesmail.com.Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro episode from September 16, 2022, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson from Pexels
Eric Whitacre is a Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor. Eric's debut album as a conductor, Light and Gold, went straight to the top of the charts, earning him a Grammy. His works are played worldwide and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united 100,000 singers from more than 145 countries over the last decade. Eric has worked with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, co-composing the mermaids theme for the Pirates of the Caribbean and music for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He's also collaborated with British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox. Eric is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York, he is currently Visiting Composer at Pembroke College, Cambridge and recently completed his second term as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. His latest album, Home, has just been released on Decca Classics and is a collection of pieces recorded with the world famous choir Voces8. It includes his latest single, All seems Beautiful To Me.Eric Whitacre is guest number 288 on My Time Capsule and chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things he'd like to put in a time capsule; four he'd like to preserve and one he'd like to bury and never have to think about again .Eric Whitacre & VOCES8 - All Seems Beautiful to Me - https://youtu.be/HUA5jo61OwoDeep Field: The Impossible Magnitude of our Universe - https://youtu.be/yDiD8F9ItX0For Eric Whitacre's music and concert dates visit: ericwhitacre.comFollow Eric Whitacre on Twitter & Instagram @EricWhitacre .Follow My Time Capsule on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook: @MyTCpod .Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter: @fentonstevens & Instagram @mikefentonstevens .Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .Music by Pass The Peas Music .Artwork by matthewboxall.com .This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people. Get this podcast ad-free by becoming a team member with Acast+! Your support will help us to keep making My Time Capsule. Join our team now! https://plus.acast.com/s/mytimecapsule. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this fun episode of the Dream Big Podcast, a must-listen for kids and families, host Eva Karpman interviews the GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Luke McEndarfer. https://dreambigpodcast.com/352 As one of the most influential figures in the choral world, Luke's career is marked by groundbreaking innovation, artistic creativity, and musical excellence. Currently, he serves as the Artistic Director, President, and CEO of the National Children's Chorus, one of the fastest-growing and most successful youth arts organizations in the United States. His collaborations include work with renowned musical ensembles and artists, such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Youth Symphony, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many more. In this episode, Big Dreamers will explore: In this captivating conversation, you'll discover: How Luke's passion for music led him to extraordinary heights
Synopsis Late in 2013, the musical world was gearing up to celebrate the 70th birthday of British composer John Tavener, but sadly he died, so his 70th birthday, which fell on today's date in 2014, became a memorial tribute instead. Tavener had suffered from ill health throughout his life: a stroke in his thirties, heart surgery and the removal of a tumor in his forties, and two subsequent heart attacks. In his early twenties, Tavener became famous in 1968 with his avant-garde cantata entitled The Whale, based loosely on the Old Testament story of Jonah. That work caught the attention of one of The Beatles, and a recording of it was released on The Beatles' own Apple label. Tavener converted to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977, and his music became increasingly spiritual. Millions who watched TV coverage of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, were deeply moved by his “Song for Athene,” which was performed to telling effect as Diana's casket left Westminster Abbey. Taverner was knighted in 2000, becoming Sir John Tavener In 2003, Tavener's Ikon of Eros, commissioned for the Centennial of the Minnesota Orchestra, and premiered at St. Paul's Cathedral—the one in St. Paul, Minnesota, that is, not the one in London—and Tavener came to Minnesota for the event. Music Played in Today's Program Sir John Tavener (1944-2013) Ikon of Eros Jorja Fleezanis, vn; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor. Reference Recording 102 On This Day Births 1791 - French opera composer Louis Joseph F. Herold, in Paris; 1898 - Italian-American composer Vittorio Rieti, in Alexandria, Egypt; 1944 - British composer Sir John Tavener, in London; Deaths 1935 - Russian composer Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, age 75, in Moscow; 1947 - Venezuelan-born French composer Reynaldo Hahn, age 72, in Paris; Premieres 1725 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 92 ("Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn") performed on Septuagesimae Sunday after Epiphany as part of Bach's second annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1724/25); 1828 - Schubert: Piano Trio in Bb, Op. 99 (D. 898), at a private performance by Ignaz Schuppanzigh (violin), Josef Linke (cello), and Carl Maria von Bocklet (piano); 1830 - Auber: opera "Fra Diavolo" in Paris at the Opéra-Comique; 1876 - Tchaikovsky: "Serenade mélancolique" for violin and orchestra, in Moscow (Julian date: Jan. 18); 1897 - Glazunov: Symphony No. 5, in London; 1915 - Ravel: Piano Trio in a, in Paris, by Gabriel Wilaume (violin), Louis Feuillard (cello), and Alfredo Casella (piano); 1916 - Granados: opera "Goyescas," at the Metropolitan Opera in New York; 1927 - Copland: Piano Concerto, by the Boston Symphony conducted by Serge Koussevitzky, with the composer as soloist; 1941 - Copland: "Quiet City," at Town Hall in New York City by the Little Symphony conducted by Daniel Saidenberg; This music is based on incidental music Copland wrote for Irwin Shaw's play of the same name produced by the Group Theater in New York in 1939; 1944 - Bernstein: Symphony No. 1 ("Jeremiah"), at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh by the Pittsburgh Symphony conducted by the composer, with mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel as vocal soloist; 1972 - Scott Joplin: opera "Treemonisha" (orchestrated by T.J. Anderson), in Atlanta; 1990 - Joan Tower: Flute Concerto, at Carnegie Hall in New York, with soloist Carol Wincenc and the American Composers Orchestra, Hugh Wolff, conducting; 1995 - Elinor Armer: “Island Earth” (to a text by Sci-Fi writer Usula K. Le Guin), at the University of California, Berkeley, by the various San Francisco choirs and the Women's Philharmonic, conducted by JoAnn Falletta; On the same program were the premiere performance's of Chen Yi's “Antiphony” for orchestra and Augusta Read Thomas's “Fantasy” for piano and orchestra (with piano soloist Sara Wolfensohn); 1997 - Morten Lauridsen: “Mid-Winter Songs” (final version) for chorus and orchestra, by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, John Currie conducting; Earlier versions of this work with piano and chamber orchestra accompaniment had premiered in 1981, 1983, and 1985 at various Californian venues; 2000 - André Previn: "Diversions," in Salzburg, Austria, by the Vienna Philharmonic, the composer conducting; Others 1742 - Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin (and the author of "Gulliver's Travels"), objects to the cathedral singers taking part in performances of Handel's works while the composer is in that city (Gregorian date: Feb. 8); Rehearsals for the premiere performance of Handel's "Messiah" would begin in April of that year, involving the choirs of both Christ Church and St. Patrick's Cathedrals in Dublin; 1971 - William Bolcom completes his "Poltergeist" Rag (dedicated to Teresa Sterne, a one-time concert pianist who was then a producer for Nonesuch Records); According to the composer's notes, the "Poltergeist" Rag was written "in a converted garage next to a graveyard in Newburgh, N.Y." Links and Resources On Tavener
Today we're joined by Emmy nominated film and TV composer Christopher Willis and vocal contractor and session singer Elyse Willis. Chris is best known for his work on HBO's hit comedy Veep, as well as his score for Armando Iannucci's film “The Death of Stalin.” One of his most recent projects is “Schmigdoon!” which just started streaming on Apple TV+. Elyse has sung on dozen's of projects as a session singer including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Lost City, Lightyear, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. She's also a vocal contractor for several television shows, and is in her fourteenth season singing with the prestigious Los Angeles Master Chorale. We have a great chat about how to get repeat gigs as a composer or singer, composing budgets, union recording sessions, and the importance of knowing when to move on in your career.In this episode we'll dig in on...How to get repeat gigs as a vocalistThe overworking and micromanaging mentality of the music industryBreaking into composition and film scoring in 2023MusicologyConquering the blank pageLearning to write for the budgetThe importance of being dependableWorking at Hans Zimmer's Remote Control facilitySinging in the LA Master ChoraleWorking on projects for streaming services like Netflix and Disney+Growing up obsessed with Classical musicThe rules of union recording sessionsPackage & All-In DealsSight readingComposing music for a Disney Parks rideComposition opportunities for video gamesMentioned in the Episode:AFM (Musician's Union)SAG/AFTRA (Singer's Union)Steven Pressfield - "The War of Art"Sun Tzu - "The Art of War"Travis' Intro: Give Your Self PermissionLearn More About Christopher & Elyse...Chris' Website: www.christopherwilliscomposer.comElyse's Website: www.elysewillis.comChris' Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrchriswillisElyse's Twitter: https://twitter.com/elysemwillisOur Sponsors:Sign Up for Complete Producer Network HERE!Get on the Waitlist for The Beats Accelerator Process HERE!Get on the Waitlist for The Mix Accelerator Process HERE!Progressions Links:Support Progressions on Patreon!Sign up for the Progressions Mailing ListInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod/Facebook:
"A lot of my choral works get inspiration from Philippine indigenous chants. We have 7000+ islands with different cultures and soundscapes, and that is itself is a very rich jump-off point for a new composition. I contact a tribe, interview them, ask permission to use a folk chant, and recompose it in a manner that is respectful of the original form of the chant but with something new added to it."Trailblazing composer and artist Nilo Alcala is carving a legacy for Philippine Arts internationally. He is the first Philippine-born composer to receive the COPLAND HOUSE Residency Award (2017), as well as to be commissioned by Grammy-winner Los Angeles Master Chorale. He is also the first Filipino-American artist to be featured as Musical America Worldwide's Artist of the Month, and be awarded The American Prize in the Professional Division, Major Choral Works Category. He has received two Ani Ng Dangal (Harvest of Honor) awards from two Philippine Presidents.His commissions include San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, Asia-Europe Foundation; Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival; Korean Ministry of Culture; National Music Competition for Young Artists, Manila Symphony Orchestra, the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra, and many other ensembles. Other notable performances include the World Youth Choir, Asia Pacific Youth Choir, San Francisco Girls Chorus, the U.P. Symphony Orchestra, the Metro Manila Community Orchestra, and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.Alcala's virtuosic choral works have been performed by numerous winning ensembles in prestigious competitions and festivals in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. He was member and composer-in-residence of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (UNESCO Artist for Peace). An Asian Cultural Council grantee, Alcala was a Billy Joel Fellow at Syracuse University where he received the Irene L. Crooker Music Award.Alcala was composer-mentor from 2016 to 2019 of Pasadena Master Chorale's “Listening to the Future” program for promising high school composers. In 2022, in cooperation with the Rotary Club University District (Quezon City, Philippines) Alcala has established the Rotary Club University District-Nilo Alcala Arts Scholarships or RCUD-NAAS for student artists. To get in touch with Nilo, you can visit his website, www.niloalcala.com, or you can find him on Instagram or Twitter: @alcalanilo.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson from Pexels
Read more about Pacific Chorale and their upcoming season:https://www.pacificchorale.org/Read about the award on the Singerpreneur blog: https://singerpreneur.com/2022/04/with-a-single-award-the-grammys-just-honored-a-whole-lotta-people-in-the-southland/___________________________________________________ANDREW BROWN — PRESIDENT & CEO, PACIFIC CHORALEAndrew Brown is President & CEO of the GRAMMY Award-winning Pacific Chorale, the resident chorus at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA. The critically acclaimed choir presents its own concert series each season and frequently collaborates with world class ensembles such as Pacific Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Brown is responsible for guiding all facets of the non-profit organization, which has an annual budget of $3 million. He also collaborates directly with Artistic Director Robert Istad to help transform his artistic vision for the choir into reality, shepherding both day-to-day and long-term artistic endeavors.Since joining Pacific Chorale in December 2018, Brown has bolstered the organization's fiscal health, built an operating cash reserve fund, and increased its permanent endowment. On the artistic front, he has managed several landmark projects, including Istad's first recording with the chorus, All Things Common (2020), featuring works of Tarik O'Regan on Yarlung Records, and the strategic development of the choir's significant digital presence with programs such as Tis the Season!,the Chorale's first virtual concert gala, which was live-streamed to more than 5,000 households in December 2021 and raised over $250,000 for the choir. He also oversaw the production of The Wayfaring Project, the chorus' compelling concert film weaving a Bach motet with contemporary works that was broadcast nationwide in December 2021 on PBS, which draws 80 million viewers monthly. The popular film continues to be streamed on pbssocal.org, kcet.org, and the PBS app. Under Brown's leadership, in July 2023, Pacific Chorale will embark on its first international tour in seven years with appearances in Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom, further expanding its global presence.Previously, Brown served as Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Master Chorale having risen through its administrative ranks during a 17-year tenure with the organization. As COO, he demonstrated his strong track record of initiating and leading change, strengthening operations, and innovating in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. As a professional singer, Brown, a tenor, also sang with LA Master Chorale for ten seasons and performed with several other Southern California-based professional choral ensembles. He can be heard on numerous recordings and film scores and made a featured on-camera singing appearance in the hit CBS television series, How I Met Your Mother. Brown earned an M.A. in Arts Management and an M.B.A. from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, and a Bachelor's degree in music education from Ball State University.
Shuo Zhai - Architect & Singer & Pianist Shuo's a double Ampersand — an architect working for Frank Gehry, AND a professional choral singer in the Los Angeles Master Chorale, AND an accomplished solo and collaborative pianist. Jessica first got to know Shuo in college in the opera The Magic Flute, where he was the Papageno to Jessica's Pamina. A year later, he was Jessica's collaborative pianist for her senior recital. After a few years working in finance, Shuo followed his passion for architecture and went to Yale for his masters degree. He now works with Frank Gehry at Gehry Partners, where he's taken on projects ranging from cultural centers and exhibitions to private homes to the recently-adopted LA River Master Plan. Since 2015, Shuo has sung with the GRAMMY-Award-winning Los Angeles Master Chorale. You can see him sing live at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, and you can also hear him on movie scores such as Star Wars episodes 8 and 9. Learn more @shuoazhai Are you a high achiever, a leader in your workplace, a person with many interests, maybe even an Ampersand? Well, guess what? Jessica works with people just like you. Jessica can help you navigate change, stay true to your values, and thrive as a leader. Learn more at jessicawan.com. She reads every single message. Credits Produced and Hosted by Jessica Wan Co-produced, edited, and sound design by Naomi Tepper Music by Denys Kyshchuk and Stockaudios from Pixabay Excerpt from The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Shuo Zhai, baritone and piano, Jessica Wan, soprano
Harpist extraordinaire talks her career both as a classical musician and studio recording artist, including her many collaborations with John Williams on such scores as Angela's Ashes, A.I. Artificial Intelligence and The Book Thief Hosted by Maurizio Caschetto JoAnn Turovksy is one of the most accomplished and talented harpists in the world. She is Principal Harp of several Los Angeles-based orchestras: the L.A. Opera orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. In a career spanning now four decades, Turovsky has been lauded and revered with many accolades: she is the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the American Harp Society. Harp is an instrument very dear to John Williams as it's often prominently featured in a lot of his film and concert music. Harpist extraordinaire JoAnn Turovsky has possibly the longest and most impressive track record of playing a lot of John Williams' harp parts over the last three decades as his favoured principal harp for studio recordings in Los Angeles. Turovsky is heard playing exquisite harp solos on some of the composer's most lyrical and haunting film scores including Angela's Ashes, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Munich and The Book Thief. Turovsky's impeccable playing can be appreciated even when not playing a solo part, but when accompanying and enriching the orchestral texture, as the harp is used by Williams like a master orchestrator would do. JoAnn has also been a professor of harp at the USC Thornton School of Music for the past three decades and sits on the faculty of the Colburn Conservatory of Music and the Colburn School of Performing Arts, teaching the next generation of harpists. In this conversation, JoAnn Turovsky talks about her impressive career as a classical and studio musician, remembering her many experiences playing for John Williams, including her solo work for Angela's Ashes and The Book Thief, but also illuminating on the composer's use of harp and how he let the instrument shine within the orchestral palette. Visit https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/ for more information.
Synopsis For fans of British comedy, the name Peter Sellars conjures up an actor famous for his iconic role as the bumbling Chief Inspector Clouseau in “Pink Panther” movies. But for opera fans, the name refers to a completely different fellow: an American theater director born in 1957. The American Peter Sellars is notorious for staging classic operas as if they were set in present-day America. For example: Mozart's “Don Giovanni” in a dangerous, drug-dealing neighborhood in New York City's Spanish Harlem, or “The Marriage of Figaro” in a luxury penthouse in Trump Tower. Sellars is also the frequent partner of American composer John Adams in brand-new operas and concert projects. On today's date 2012, a new oratorio by Adams and Sellars titled “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” received its world premiere at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The new work's libretto, crafted by Sellars, tells the Biblical story of the passion and death of Jesus from the point of view of "the other Mary," Mary Magdalene, alongside texts and scenes from contemporary American life, including a women's shelter, labor and social justice protests, and the opioid crisis. If Jesus were alive today, Sellars and Adams seem to be saying, He would be ministering to the suffering margins of American society, not to the rich and powerful. Music Played in Today's Program John Adams (b. 1949) — chorus, fr “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” (Los Angeles Master Chorale & Los Angeles Philharmonic; Gustavo Dudamel, cond.) DG 0289 479 2243 8
"The text is so crucial to my process. I try and derive every little detail -- rhythm and harmony and melody and the overall mood and tone and textures and timbres of the piece -- from the text itself. The text is really at the heart of everything I do."Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been called "devastatingly beautiful" (The Washington Post) and praised for its "soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies deployed with finesse" (The New York Times). Trumbore's compositions have been performed widely in the U.S. and internationally by the Chicago Symphony's MusicNOW ensemble, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Modesto Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Phoenix Chorale, Tonality, and VocalEssence.The recipient of ACDA's inaugural Raymond W. Brock Competition for Professional Composers, an ASCAP Morton Gould Award, and a Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grant, Trumbore has also served as Composer in Residence for Choral Chameleon. She has been awarded artist residencies at Copland House, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, the Tusen Takk Foundation, and Ucross. Her choral works have been commissioned for premieres at national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, Chorus America, and National Collegiate Choral Organization, and her music is available through Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, and Graphite Marketplace.Trumbore is passionate about setting to music poems, prose, and found text by living writers. She has written extensively about working through creative blocks and establishing a career in music in essays for Cantate Magazine, the Center for New Music, and NewMusicBox. Her first book, Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life, was hailed by writer Angela Myles Beeching as a "treasure trove of practical strategies for moving your artistic career forward... not only for composers, but for performers, writers, and any other creatives." Trumbore's short fiction is published or forthcoming from Southern Indiana Review, New Delta Review, and F(r)iction. She is currently working on a collection of short stories.Trumbore holds a dual degree in Music Composition (B.M.) and English (B.A.) from the University of Maryland, as well as a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Southern California. A New Jersey native, Trumbore currently lives in Azusa, CA with her spouse and their three cats.To get in touch with Dale, you can visit her website -- daletrumbore.com -- or use her contact form.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson from Pexels
Synopsis In 1952, the West Point Military Band celebrated that famous military academy's Sesquicentennial by asking prominent composers to write celebratory works to mark the occasion. Among those who responded was the American composer Morton Gould, whose “West Point Symphony” received its premiere performance on today's date in 1952, at a gala concert featuring the West Point Academy. There are two movements in Gould's “West Point Symphony.” They are titled “Epitaphs” and “Marches,” and the composer himself provided these descriptive comments: “The first movement is lyrical and dramatic… The general character is elegiac. The second and final movement is lusty… the texture a stylization of marching tunes and parades cast in an array of embellishments and rhythmic variations… At one point,” concludes Gould, “there is a simulation of a Fife and Drum Corp, which, incidentally, was the instrumentation of the original West Point Band.” Of all the pieces written in honor of West Point's Sesquicentennial in 1952, Gould's Symphony is probably the best-known. The score of the West Point Symphony calls for a “marching machine,” but on this classic 1959 recording under the late Frederick Fennell, the required sound was provided by the very real marching feet of 120 Eastman School of Music students. Music Played in Today's Program Morton Gould (1913-1996) — West Point Symphony (Symphony for Band) (Eastman Wind Ensemble; Frederick Fennell, cond.) Mercury 434 320 On This Day Births 1810 - French composer Felicien David, in Cadenet, Vaucluse; 1816 - English composer Sir William Sterndale Bennett, in Sheffield; 1938 - American composer and pianist Frederic Rzewski, in Westfield, Mass.; Deaths 1756 - Burial date of the German composer and keyboard virtuoso Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, age c. 29, in Dresden; 1826 - German composer Franz Danzi, age 62, in Schwetzingen; 1944 - French composer and pianist Cécile Chaminade, age 86, in Monte Carlo; Premieres 1742 - Handel: oratorio, "Messiah,"in Dublin (Gregorian date: April 24); 1789 - Mozart: Divertimento in Eb (K. 563) for string trio, in Dresden, by Anton Teiber (violin), Anton Kraft (cello), and the composer (viola); 1943 - Randall Thompson: "A Testament of Freedom" for men's voices and piano, at the University of Virginia; The orchestral version of this work premiered in Boston on April 6, 1945; 1952 - Morton Gould: Symphony No. 4 ("West Point Symphony") for band, during the West Point Military Academy Sesquicentennial Celebration in West Point, N.Y, by the Academy Band, with the composer conducting; 1961 - Luigi Nono: opera "Intolerance 1960," in Venice at the Teatro La Fenice; 1992 - Schnittke: opera "Life with an Idiot," in Amsterdam at the Dutch Opera; 1997 - Morten Lauridsen: "Lux Aeterna"for chorus and chamber orchestra, at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Paul Salamunovich conducting; 2000 - Danielpour: Piano Trio ("A Child's Reliquary"), at Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa, by the Kalichstein-Robinson-Laredo Trio; Others 1823 - Franz Liszt, age 11, performs at the Imperial Redoutensaal in Vienna; Legend has it that Beethoven attended this performance and planted a kiss on the young performer's forehead, but in fact Beethoven did not attend the concert; According to Liszt, the incident occurred a few days before at Beethoven's home, after Liszt had performed one of Beethoven's works; See Dec. 1, 1822, for Liszt's Vienna debut; 1896 - The American Guild of Organists is founded in New York City; 1958 - American pianist Van Cliburn wins the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the first American to do so. Links and Resources On Morton Gould
2022 Grammy Winner for Best Choral PerformanceGustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra secured their third GRAMMY® in succession on Sunday. Having won the Best Orchestral Performance awards in 2020 with Andrew Norman's Sustain and 2021 with Charles Ives: Complete Symphonies, this time they secured the GRAMMY® for Best Choral Performance with their gripping interpretation of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8, the “Symphony of a Thousand.”. The Los Angeles Philharmonic was joined by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Chorale, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, National Children's Chorus (and their respective artistic directors: Grant Gershon, Robert Istad, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, and Luke McEndarfer) and soloists Tamara Wilson, Leah Crocetto, Erin Morley, Mihoko Fujimura, Tamara Mumford, Simon O'Neill, Ryan McKinny, and Morris Robinson.Purchase the music (without talk) at:Mahler: Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand" (classicalsavings.com)Your purchase helps to support our show! Classical Music Discoveries is sponsored by La Musica International Chamber Music Festival and Uber. @khedgecock#ClassicalMusicDiscoveries #KeepClassicalMusicAlive#LaMusicaFestival #CMDGrandOperaCompanyofVenice #CMDParisPhilharmonicinOrléans#CMDGermanOperaCompanyofBerlin#CMDGrandOperaCompanyofBarcelonaSpain#ClassicalMusicLivesOn#Uber Please consider supporting our show, thank you!http://www.classicalsavings.com/donate.html staff@classicalmusicdiscoveries.com This album is broadcasted with the permission of Katy Solomon from Morahana Arts and Media.
Notes: Conversations with songwriters can be illuminating. Moira and I talk about wanting our voices to make a difference, and how to evaluate that, how Moira's voice has protected and shaped her, rest as part of the job of being a creator, and so much more. She shares a song that is in the process of becoming, and we get a very special glimpse of this creative process, which includes a calling sound that fascinates Moira right now. As you sing along, you'll be able to really tune in to what feels good to you this day -- is it the commitment and determination of "each day we make a little light"? The seeking melodic curve of "mmm...render...mmm...a remedy?" The wild, aching cry of the calling sounds? Or something else that you feel called to bring to the song? As you're singing in your own space, I wonder if there will be movement -- stepping or dancing or swaying? Songwriter Info: As a composer, Moira Smiley is known worldwide for choral arrangements like Bring Me Little Water, Silvy and originals, Stand in That River and How Can I Cry. Her music is sung by millions of singers worldwide. She's credited with helping to bring body percussion into the choral mainstream and is in demand as a commissioned composer, writing multi-movement pieces including Time In Our Voices and In The Desert With You for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, evening-length secular liturgy, The Song Among Us and Tis A Fearful Thing for Craig Hella Johnson's Conspirare and CVAE, Vonnegut Requiem: Light Perpetual for Voces Novae, Loud My Soul for Ad Astra Festival and I Have A Voice for ACDA Women's Choral Consortium. The European premiere of Time In Our Voices was performed by the voices and mobile phones of Ars Nova Copenhagen under the direction of Paul Hillier. In 2018-2019 Moira released the album and choral songbook, Unzip The Horizon as companion to her ‘The Voice Is A Traveler' solo show. In 2021 she released the all-vocal social-justice centered album, In Our Voices with four powerful singers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. She continues composing and improvising in collaboration with artists in film, video game production, theater and dance, and her work can be heard on feature film soundtracks, BBC & PBS television programs, NPR, and on more than 70 commercial albums. “Moira Smiley is a marvel—an omnivorous singing and composing chameleon with a voice that can wail or caress at will!” -- Grant Gershon - artistic director, Los Angeles Master Chorale “Moira Smiley is a brilliant musician – an innovative composer and arranger, and a heartbreakingly beautiful singer. Her music transcends (and expands) boundaries.” -- Billy Childs - multi-grammy-winning composer/pianist “I'm so thankful I've had the privilege of performing and recording with Moira. She embodies the endless creative potential of the voice, and… (has made) a deeply moving body of work.” -- Merrill Garbus - Tune-Yards Links: www.moirasmiley.com for all info including sheet music, practice tracks! https://moirasmileysubscription.com/ to support Moira monthly for as little as $4/mo. https://www.instagram.com/moirasmiley/ for up-to-date personal and music pics https://www.youtube.com/c/MoiraSmileyMusic for official music videos, song and body percussion tutorials and live performances Lissa Schneckenburger -- the link goes to her interview on A Breath of Song, which includes her own site links and more Night Song - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook. The link goes to the title song of the album. Here is the album on Apple Music. Shara Nova - "My Brightest Diamond" -- This link goes to a live performance and interview (go to about 2'40" to get close to the start). Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:12 Start time of reprise: 00:54:45 Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Minor, Dorian & Aeolian, harmonized layers Visit abreathofsong.com for lyrics, more of Patty's artwork, and a way to nominate songs or songwriters for the podcast. Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me. Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
Notes: Okay, I procrastinated on recording this episode for the longest of any song yet... I respect Moira so much, and I desperately wanted to share her song in a beautiful way that convinced you to love it, too. I felt like I wasn't good enough, and I got a good run of the whole imposter syndrome going, yada, yada, yada. But you know what shifted? I remembered why this podcast exists -- to share songs that help me heal, adapt, and grow, so you can sing them, too. And this song is one that I've sung to myself over and over in the middle of troubling times to help me release and let go. When I sing this into myself, I can see more clearly which actions might be mine to make next. And when the world is in turmoil, this is what helps me navigate a way forward. None of us (myself included) need to have a stunning voice for a song to be a companion... and I'm grateful to Moira for this gift. Please notice, I haven't shared the entire song here, only an excerpt... check out the links below to hear the whole song, and buy the music on her website for yourself or to share with others. Next episode: a conversation with Moira Smiley herself, who turns out to be absolutely lovely and generous -- we talk creativity, how rest is part of the job, how her voice has protected her, and more... Songwriter Info: As a composer, Moira Smiley is known worldwide for choral arrangements like Bring Me Little Water, Silvy and originals, Stand in That River and How Can I Cry. Her music is sung by millions of singers worldwide. She's credited with helping to bring body percussion into the choral mainstream and is in demand as a commissioned composer, writing multi-movement pieces including Time In Our Voices and In The Desert With You for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, evening-length secular liturgy, The Song Among Us and Tis A Fearful Thing for Craig Hella Johnson's Conspirare and CVAE, Vonnegut Requiem: Light Perpetual for Voces Novae, Loud My Soul for Ad Astra Festival and I Have A Voice for ACDA Women's Choral Consortium. The European premiere of Time In Our Voices was performed by the voices and mobile phones of Ars Nova Copenhagen under the direction of Paul Hillier. In 2018-2019 Moira released the album and choral songbook, Unzip The Horizon as companion to her ‘The Voice Is A Traveler' solo show. In 2021 she released the all-vocal social-justice centered album, In Our Voices with four powerful singers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. She continues composing and improvising in collaboration with artists in film, video game production, theater and dance, and her work can be heard on feature film soundtracks, BBC & PBS television programs, NPR, and on more than 70 commercial albums. “Moira Smiley is marvel—an omnivorous singing and composing chameleon with a voice that can wail or caress at will!” -- Grant Gershon - artistic director, Los Angeles Master Chorale “Moira Smiley is a brilliant musician – an innovative composer and arranger, and a heartbreakingly beautiful singer. Her music transcends (and expands) boundaries.” -- Billy Childs - multi-grammy-winning composer/pianist “I'm so thankful I've had the privilege of performing and recording with Moira. She embodies the endless creative potential of the voice, and… (has made) a deeply moving body of work.” -- Merrill Garbus - Tune-Yards Links: www.moirasmiley.com for all info including sheet music, practice tracks! https://moirasmileysubscription.com/ to support Moira monthly for as little as $4/mo. https://www.instagram.com/moirasmiley/ for up-to-date personal and music pics https://www.youtube.com/c/MoiraSmileyMusic for official music videos, song and body percussion tutorials and live performances A beautiful recording of a quartet singing the full Stand In That River, part of "The Mt. Tom Sessions". Moira's own recording of Stand In That River with VOCO. Visit abreathofsong.com for lyrics, more of Patty's artwork, and a way to nominate songs or songwriters for the podcast. Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, Ionian, harmonized melody Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! This week, for example, I shared a video collected by the Polyphony Project of Ukrainian women singing a traditional song about a son who has gone to be a soldier, and I included a list of possible organizations to support the people harmed by war. No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me. Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
Synopsis Many good things come in threes – at least William Bolcom seems to think so. On today's date in 1971, in a converted garage next to a graveyard in Newburgh, New York, American composer and pianist William Bolcom put the finishes touches to the second of three piano pieces he collectively titled “Ghost Rags.” “Ghost Rag” No. 2 was titled “Poltergeist” and dedicated to Tracey Sterne, who at that time was a dynamic record producer at Nonesuch Records. In her youth Sterne pursued a career as a concert pianist, but in the 1960s and 70s was responsible for assembling the Nonesuch label's astonishingly diverse catalog of old, new and world music. “Ghost Rag” No. 3, titled “Dream Shadows,” was described by Bolcom as a “white rag” which evoked “the era of white telephones and white pianos” and “was in the white key of C Major.” Bolcom dedicated this rag to his fellow composer, William Albright. And Bolcom's ‘Ghost Rag” No. 1, which has proved to be the most popular of the three, was titled “Graceful Ghost.” Bolcom dedicated this music to the memory of his father, whose benign spirit Bolcom said he often felt hovering around his piano while he played at night. Music Played in Today's Program William Bolcom (b. 1938) — Graceful Ghost Rags (Paul Jacobs, piano) Nonesuch 79006 On This Day Births 1791 - French opera composer Louis Joseph F. Herold, in Paris; 1898 - Italian-American composer Vittorio Rieti, in Alexandria, Egypt; 1944 - British composer Sir John Tavener, in London; Deaths 1935 - Russian composer Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, age 75, in Moscow; 1947 - Venezuelan-born French composer Reynaldo Hahn, age 72, in Paris; Premieres 1725 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 92 ("Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn") performed on Septuagesimae Sunday after Epiphany as part of Bach's second annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1724/25); 1828 - Schubert: Piano Trio in Bb, Op. 99 (D. 898), at a private performance by Ignaz Schuppanzigh (violin), Josef Linke (cello), and Carl Maria von Bocklet (piano); 1830 - Auber: opera "Fra Diavolo" in Paris at the Opéra-Comique; 1876 - Tchaikovsky: "Serenade mélancolique" for violin and orchestra, in Moscow (Julian date: Jan. 18); 1897 - Glazunov: Symphony No. 5, in London; 1915 - Ravel: Piano Trio in a, in Paris, by Gabriel Wilaume (violin), Louis Feuillard (cello), and Alfredo Casella (piano); 1916 - Granados: opera "Goyescas," at the Metropolitan Opera in New York; 1927 - Copland: Piano Concerto, by the Boston Symphony conducted by Serge Koussevitzky, with the composer as soloist; 1941 - Copland: "Quiet City," at Town Hall in New York City by the Little Symphony conducted by Daniel Saidenberg; This music is based on incidental music Copland wrote for Irwin Shaw's play of the same name produced by the Group Theater in New York in 1939; 1944 - Bernstein: Symphony No. 1 ("Jeremiah"), at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh by the Pittsburgh Symphony conducted by the composer, with mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel as vocal soloist; 1972 - Scott Joplin: opera "Treemonisha" (orchestrated by T.J. Anderson), in Atlanta; 1990 - Joan Tower: Flute Concerto, at Carnegie Hall in New York, with soloist Carol Wincenc and the American Composers Orchestra, Hugh Wolff, conducting; 1995 - Elinor Armer: “Island Earth” (to a text by Sci-Fi writer Usula K. Le Guin), at the University of California, Berkeley, by the various San Francisco choirs and the Women's Philharmonic, conducted by JoAnn Falletta; On the same program were the premiere performance's of Chen Yi's “Antiphony” for orchestra and Augusta Read Thomas's “Fantasy” for piano and orchestra (with piano soloist Sara Wolfensohn); 1997 - Morten Lauridsen: “Mid-Winter Songs” (final version) for chorus and orchestra, by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, John Currie conducting; Earlier versions of this work with piano and chamber orchestra accompaniment had premiered in 1981, 1983, and 1985 at various Californian venues; 2000 - André Previn: "Diversions," in Salzburg, Austria, by the Vienna Philharmonic, the composer conducting; Others 1742 - Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin (and the author of "Gulliver's Travels"), objects to the cathedral singers taking part in performances of Handel's works while the composer is in that city (Gregorian date: Feb. 8); Rehearsals for the premiere performance of Handel's "Messiah" would begin in April of that year, involving the choirs of both Christ Church and St. Patrick's Cathedrals in Dublin; 1971 - William Bolcom completes his "Poltergeist" Rag (dedicated to Teresa Sterne, a one-time concert pianist who was then a producer for Nonesuch Records); According to the composer's notes, the "Poltergeist" Rag was written "in a converted garage next to a graveyard in Newburgh, N.Y." Links and Resources On William Bolcom
American composer Derrick Skye is known for integrating music practices from different cultural traditions around the world into his work with classical music communities. The Los Angeles Times describes Derrick's music as “something to savor” and “enormous fun to listen to.” During his studies at the USC and the California Institute of the Arts, music across many cultures became an integral part of his musical vocabulary. Skye's music has been commissioned and/or performed by ensembles including Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Albany Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale among many. He serves as Artistic Director of the new music collective and arts organization Bridge to Everywhere. I really enjoyed hearing Derrick's insights and perspectives on how and why he feels called to incorporate the music of many parts of the world into his composition. Connect with Derrick via his website https://www.derrickskye.com/ Intro Music by Derrick Skye "Prisms Cycles Leaps" from the Album Bridge to Everywhere. Available on all major streaming platforms. the World Music Podcast Jingle- composed by Will Marsh featuring musicians Josh Mellinger (tabla) and Misha Khalikulov (cello). Do you know someone who would enjoy this Podcast? Please take a moment to share and spread the inspiration! COPY THIS LINK TO SHARE! https://anchor.fm/will-marsh This is a master link that allows you to choose which platform to listen on. See below for more offerings from your host, Will Marsh. “Raga for All Instruments” is an online course for musicians/vocalists from any musical background with a desire to explore the magic of Hindustani Raga music. Begin your raga journey now! The first four lesson videos of this course are free. https://willmarshmusic.thinkific.com/courses/raga-for-all-instruments Visit my website to connect with me - https://willmarshmusic.com/ Check out my original world-inspired music - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/willmarsh/the-integration Book a lesson with me https://www.willmarshmusic.com/product-category/lessons/ For the finest electric sitar on the market, travel sitars and tanpuras visit - https://www.willmarshmusic.com/shop/ To access written transcriptions of these episodes, go to my blog - https://www.willmarshmusic.com/blog/ Visit my youtube channel for free lesson and music performance videos - https://www.youtube.com/c/WillMarsh Become a Patron and receive exclusive access to patron only content - https://www.patreon.com/WillMarsh?fan_landing=true --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/will-marsh/support
Reena Esmail joins us to chat about integrating her Western and Hindustani roots in her composition and throughout her work as artistic director of Shastra. We chat about how she prepares listeners with less experience for musical experiences that are new to them. She speaks about her work as composer-in-residence of Street Symphony, a non-profit organization bringing music to Los Angeles-based homeless and incarcerated populations on Skid Row and beyond. And, we talk about her methods for introducing Western musicians to primarily aural traditions. Indian-American composer Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music, and brings communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces. Esmail's work has been commissioned by ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Kronos Quartet, Imani Winds, Richmond Symphony, Town Music Seattle, Albany Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Girls Chorus, The Elora Festival, Juilliard415, and Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Upcoming seasons include new work for Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Amherst College Choir and Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and Conspirare. Esmail is the Los Angeles Master Chorale's 2020-2023 Swan Family Artist in Residence, and Seattle Symphony's 2020-21 Composer-in-Residence. Previously, she was named a 2019 United States Artist Fellow in Music, and the 2019 Grand Prize Winner of the S & R Foundation's Washington Award. Esmail was also a 2017-18 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow. She was the 2012 Walter Hinrichsen Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (and subsequent publication of a work by C.F. Peters). Esmail holds degrees in composition from The Juilliard School (BM'05) and the Yale School of Music (MM'11, MMA'14, DMA'18). Her primary teachers have included Susan Botti, Aaron Jay Kernis, Christopher Theofanidis and Martin Bresnick, Christopher Rouse and Samuel Adler. She received a Fulbright-Nehru grant to study Hindustani music in India. Her Hindustani music teachers include Srimati Lakshmi Shankar and Gaurav Mazundar, and she currently studies and collaborates with Saili Oak. Her doctoral thesis, entitled Finding Common Ground: Uniting Practices in Hindustani and Western Art Musicians explores the methods and challenges of the collaborative process between Hindustani musicians and Western composers. Esmail was Composer-in-Residence for Street Symphony (2016-18) and is currently an Artistic Director of Shastra, a non-profit organization that promotes cross-cultural music connecting music traditions of India and the West. The transcript for this episode can be found here. For more information about Reena Esmail, please visit her website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
5 October 2021 | Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos | Menlo Park, Calif. Coming to you on a Tuesday night in the midst of midterms (but hey - better late than never, right?), I share some thoughts on priesthood, sonship and obedience in preparation for my M.A. thesis, as well as the friendship and father/son dynamic of Cirion and Eorl in this week's reading from the Unfinished Tales. Plus, a little-known American saint makes the calendar! Other Tolkien news mentioned in this episode: Check out The Nature of Middle-Earth by Carl Hotstetter here Listen to his recent interview on The Tolkien Road here! Opening music: “O nata lux,” composed by Morten Lauridsen, sung by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, dir. Nicol Matt, 2018. All rights reserved. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/in-your-embrace/message
This week, the Media Mavens meet up with opera director and singer Aleta Braxton. Spending a lifetime in the music industry, Braxton has worked on over 150 productions for Los Angeles Opera, but her résumé doesn't stop there. On top of the opera, Braxton has sung with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, toured as a soloist and worked on a variety of notable television and film soundtracks ranging from “Fifty Shades of Grey,” “Malcolm in the Middle” and even “Star Wars: Rogue One.” With the Mavens, Braxton discusses some of her favorite roles, the difference between different types of opera singers, the skill level needed to fulfill some roles, and what it's like working in a group of singers. “You're basically on a team, everybody's playing together for the common goal of scoring a good performance” Braxton said. Tune in this week to learn about “The Modern Age of Opera” and what goes into making the music of your favorite opera performances! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the Composer Happy Hour episode nine. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't already, consider giving us a follow on Instagram. We'd love to have you as a part of our online community. Our guest for this episode is Saunder Choi. Saunder is based in Los Angeles, and he writes beautiful, challenging, and timely music. He also knows how to make a mean cocktail. I was very much looking forward to this conversation as Saunder and I had only previously chatted via email. He is a very kind and gracious guest, and I am sure that - if you haven't already - you are going to fall in love with his music. In today's episode we discuss taco trucks, growing up in the Philippines, and getting a flat tire in the desert. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Saunder Choi is a Los Angeles-based Filipino composer and choral artist. His works have also been performed by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Crossing Choir, the LA Master Chorale Chamber Singers, Sacra Profana, Tonality, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, World Youth Choir, Asia Pacific Youth Choir and many others. He has been commissioned by the L.A. Choral Lab, Andrea Veneracion International Choral Festival, SYC Ensemble Singers (Singapore), Choral Arts Initiative, the Earth Choir (Taiwan), Taipei Philharmonic Choir and Women's Choir, Archipelago Singers (Indonesia), Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many others. As an arranger and orchestrator, Saunder has written for Tony-Award winner Lea Salonga, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Filarmónica Portuguesa, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the New York Gay Men's Chorus, Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, the Tim Janis Christmas Shows at Carnegie Hall, Ballet Philippines, etc. He won the 2017 Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Carol Commission competition and awarded the 1st prize in the 2014 American Prize for Choral Composition (student division). He was also a finalist for the 2012 and 2015 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and was one of the five composition fellows at the 2016 Big Sky Choral Initiative, where he worked with the Grammy-award winning choir, The Crossing. More recently, he was one of three composers chosen to participate in Pacific Chorale's Choral Sketches Workshop, with renowned composer Tarik O'Regan. Born in Manila, Philippines, Saunder holds degrees from De La Salle University – Manila, Berklee College of Music, and the USC Thornton School of Music. His works are published with See-A-Dot Music Publishing, Santa Barbara Music Publishingand Earthsongs. Select works are also distributed by MusicSpoke and MuzikSea. www.saunderchoi.com All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Ang Tren" UA&P Chorale "The New Colossus" LA Choral Lab "Invitation to Love" UUSM Voices "American Breakfast" C3LA
Welcome to the Composer Happy Hour episode eight. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't already, consider giving us a follow on Instagram. We'd love to have you as a part of our online community. Our guest for this episode is David V. Montoya. David and I have known each other for some time now, and I am delighted to have him on the show. David was actually instrumental in helping to carve out an early identity for whateverandeveramen. Were fortunate to not only premiere some of his music - but it remains the only official "studio" recording of the group available online. In addition to writing music, he is a very fine high school choir director and this experience has surely influenced his writing as he has a number of pieces that are very well suited for a high school ensemble. More recently he has composed several multi-movement, more extended works that demonstrate his evolution as a composer: "Songs of Fatherhood", "Our True Heritage", and "Magdalene." In our conversation, Dave talks about looking forward to one day having more time to compose - and I can't wait to hear what he produces. In today's episode we discuss musical mentors, books, and the musical stylings of Steely Dan. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. David V. Montoya (b. 1968) received a bachelor of arts degree in music education from California State University, Los Angeles (1992), and a master of music degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (1998). He has taught in the Southern California public school system for 29 years, teaching both junior high and senior high school music. As a composer Montoya's music, including African Processional: "Jambo rafiki yangu," has been performed throughout the world by high schools, colleges, churches, and such prestigious groups as the Choral Arts Initiative, the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, El Café Chorale (Costa Rica), the Kansas City Chorale, Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir, the Philippine Chamber Singers, and the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. His compositions range from a cappella and accompanied choral music (from the silly to the sacred) to works for solo voice, guitar, piano, harp, brass, ukulele, and even harmonica. Montoya has spent his career making music in various churches around Southern California as a conductor, composer, tenor soloist and cantor. As a choral musician, he has performed with such fine organizations as the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Pacific Chorale, the Singers of the Chapel of Charlemagne (an all-Gregorian Chant choir) and he has sung under the baton of such great conductors as John Alexander, Carl St. Clair, John Mauceri, Bobby McFerrin, Seiji Ozawa, Paul Salamunovich, and Roger Wagner. He was once invited to prepare a group of his high school students to sing with Grammy Award-winning chanteuse, Rickie Lee Jones. All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Three Poems of St. John of the Cross" Louisiana State University A Cappella "African Processional" US Air Force Singing Sergeants "Songs of Fatherhood" (2014) whateverandeveramen. "Peace is Every Step" (2017) Glass City Singers "Light of Mary" (2017) Choral Arts Initiative Episode Sponsor: Four Fires Meadery is available for shipping nationwide at 4fmeadery.com
Andre Devancens has been a part of Connectopod since second grade. Now he's fully graduated from Van Nuys High School and on his way to Cal Poly Pomona for Journalism. In Andre's 2019 interview that was a part of our Teen Mental Health project at CSUN, he talked about coming out as pan sexual, and his inspirations and aspirations. So as part of our 'grateful for our grads' June we revisited that interview and followed up with Andre to see how that interview stacks up to his present experience and to find out where he is headed now. We can't wait to see Andre's open-minded intelligence and energy out in the world! Thank you for all of your work with Connectopod. Congrats Andre! topics: Coming out as a teen, journalism, graduating high school, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Daryl Davis For more of Naia, The LA Master Chorale/Van Nuys HS project visit: https://lamasterchorale.org/oratorio-project
Kevork Mourad is an Armenian-Syrian artist who collaborates with musicians, creating visual art in front of live audiences. He has worked with some of the most celebrated performers in classical music including Yo-Yo Ma, violist Kim Kashkashian and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. He talks about growing up as an Armenian in Syria, developing his unique practice, the thrill of creating art in front of a crowd, and how war has changed the way he paints.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been praised by The New York Times for its "soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies." Trumbore's compositions have been performed widely in the U.S. and internationally by ensembles including The Aeolians of Oakwood University, American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Modesto Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, and Tonality. Trumbore has served as Composer in Residence for Choral Chameleon as well as Artist in Residence at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Copland House, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico. How to Go On, Choral Arts Initiative's album of Trumbore's choral works, debuted at #6 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart. Choral Arts Northwest, The Esoterics, Helix Collective, New York Virtuoso Singers, and soprano Gillian Hollis have also commercially recorded works by Trumbore. Her choral works are available through Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, and Graphite Marketplace. A big thank you to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode. Be on the Studio Class Podcast Megan Ihnen is a professional mezzo-soprano, teacher, writer, and arts entrepreneur who is passionate about helping other musicians and creative professionals live their best lives. Studio Class is an outgrowth of her popular #29DaystoDiva series from The Sybaritic Singer. Let your emerging professionals be part of the podcast! Invite Megan to your studio class for a taping of an episode. Your students ask questions and informative, fun conversation ensues. Special Guest: Dale Trumbore.
In this seventh episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, host Matthew LaPine sits down with one of the world’s leading composers whose music has changed the face of choral music, Eric Whitacre. Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, is among today’s most popular musicians. His works are programmed worldwide and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united singers from more than 145 countries over the last decade. Born in Nevada in 1970, Eric is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music (New York). He completed his second term as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2020 having served five years as Composer in Residence at the University of Cambridge (UK). His compositions have been widely recorded and his debut album as a conductor on Universal, Light and Gold, went straight to the top of the charts, earning a Grammy. As a guest conductor he has drawn capacity audiences to concerts with many of the world’s leading orchestras and choirs in venues from Carnegie Hall (New York) to the Royal Albert Hall (London). Insatiably curious and a lover of all types of music, Eric has worked with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, as well as British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox. In 2018 his composition, Deep Field, became the foundation for a pioneering collaboration with NASA, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Music Productions and film-makers 59 Productions. His long- form work The Sacred Veil, a profound meditation on love, life and loss, was premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by the composer, and released on Signum Records in 2020. His collaboration with Spitfire Audio resulted in a trail-blazing vocal sample library, became an instant best-seller and is used by composers the world-over. A charismatic speaker, Eric Whitacre has given keynote addresses for TED, Apple, Google, the United Nations Speaker’s Program, in education and for numerous global institutions. "Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.
We launch the first episode of the Band Room Bookshelf with composer and writer, Dale Trumbore, speaking about her book, Staying Composed: Overcoming anxiety and self-doubt within a creative life. Dylan and Dale speak about her background, what inspired her to write the book, the loads of ideas and techniques to help deal with the struggles creatives face and much more!Help Support the Band Room Podcast by Becoming a Patron Through Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/bandroompodBRP Storehttp://www.bandroompod.com/storeMusic used in this episodeBRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR HammellPerforming Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gillian MacKay, Conductor About DaleDale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been praised by The New York Times for its "soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies." Trumbore's compositions have been performed widely in the U.S. and internationally by ensembles including the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Modesto Symphony, Pacific Chorale, Pasadena Symphony, The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, and VocalEssence.Trumbore's 2019-2020 season included performances at the NCCO National Conference, the Norton Simon Museum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. She has served as Composer in Residence for Choral Chameleon as well as Artist in Residence at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Copland House, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico.How to Go On, Choral Arts Initiative's album of Trumbore's choral works, debuted at #6 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart. Choral Arts Northwest, The Esoterics, Helix Collective, New York Virtuoso Singers, and soprano Gillian Hollis have also commercially recorded works by Trumbore. Her choral works are available through Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, and Graphite Marketplace.As a composer who works frequently with words, Trumbore is passionate about setting to music poems, prose and found text by living writers. She has written extensively about working through creative blocks and establishing a career in music in essays for 21CM, Cantate Magazine, the Center for New Music, and NewMusicBox. Her first book, Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life, was hailed by writer Angela Myles Beeching (Beyond Talent) as a "treasure trove of practical strategies for moving your artistic career forward... not only for composers, but for performers, writers, and any other creatives."Trumbore holds a dual degree in Music Composition and English from the University of Maryland and a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Southern California. A New Jersey native, Trumbore lives in Azusa, CA with her husband and their two cats.Episode LinksDale's Websitehttps://www.daletrumbore.com/Staying Composedhttps://www.amazon.ca/Staying-Composed-Overcoming-Self-Doubt-Creative/dp/109724864X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=staying+composed&qid=1606668479&sr=8-1Follow Dale on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/daletrumbore/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod)
Alasdair Fraser is one of the greatest carriers of the Scottish fiddle music tradition, a fiddler whose warmly expressive playing, mastery of his instrument and deep understanding of his native music as a venerable and continually evolving art is an inspiration to generations of musicians on both sides of the Atlantic. Alasdair was born in Clackmannan on May 14, 1955 and began taking classical violin lessons at the age of eight, enduring much teasing and leg-pulling from fellow school pupils at a time when carrying a fiddle case around was considered far from cool. Undeterred, he persevered and found a love of and natural aptitude for the violin which he applied to the Scottish music that he heard at home – his late father, Bob, and his brother, Iain, both being musicians. In his teens Alasdair played with dance bands and began gathering the compositions of great fiddling forebears including Niel and Nathaniel Gow, William Marshall and James Scott Skinner into a repertoire that is now vast. Twice winner of the Scottish National Fiddle Championship, he also began to notice the connection between speech patterns and musical expression, especially among Gaels and the Doric speaking players in the north-east, and incorporated this into his fiddle style. Inclined towards science as well as music at school, Alasdair went on to work as a petrophysicist with British Petroleum, a post that took him to California in 1981 and the realisation four years later, while writing out a fiddle tune during office hours, that he was in the wrong job. He decided to concentrate on music and passing on his passion and skills through programmes such as the Valley of the Moon fiddle camp, which he founded among the Californian Redwoods in 1984 and still directs, the fiddle course that he's run on the Isle of Skye since 1987, and the more recently established Sierra Fiddle Camp, near his home in California. As a fiddler equally capable of playing haunting Gaelic airs and rumbustious dance tunes and improvising endless variations on traditional themes, Alasdair has worked in a variety of successful partnerships, including his duos with pianist Paul Machlis and guitarist Tony McManus and his acclaimed band Skyedance. He has also guested with The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Itzhak Perlman and Los Angeles Master Chorale, appeared on innumerable broadcasts including A Prairie Home Companion and CBS TV's Kennedy Center Honors and performed on film soundtracks including The Last of the Mohicans and Titanic. His compositions have featured in works by the Richmond (Virginia) Ballet and Shiftworks Dance Ensemble and his commissions include Fettercairn Suite. Since 2003 Alasdair has featured in a duo with cellist Natalie Haas, restoring the wee fiddle and big fiddle partnership that flourished in eighteenth century Scotland to contemporary prominence at the cutting edge of tradition-rooted creativity. Their debut album, Fire and Grace, was voted Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004, adding to Alasdair's North American Independent Record Distributors award for his Dawn Dance album in 1996, and they continue to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing, their near-telepathic understanding and the joyful spontaneity and sheer physical presence of their music. For more, please visit: https://www.alasdairfraser.com/home https://alasdairandnatalie.com/home Tracks in the podcast: - On Wings of a Skorrie - Valley of the Moon Reel - La Sansonette
Mike Evenson was joined by Patrick Brown, Director of Marketing at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, on episode 23 of the Unobstructed podcast. Patrick began his tenure with the Geffen Playhouse in 2018 after thriving in his previous roles with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. They discussed how the Geffen Playhouse team shifted their business model through the pandemic, creating engaging remote experiences for their audience, the logistics behind such a move and how they can continue to scale this effort into new and exciting theatre. Patrick also talked about the role of regional theaters, the importance of having a cohesive visual identity and embracing new technology.
Music Mondays featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and KIKI & DAVID GINDLER Artistic Director Grant Gershon. "Child of Wonder" is a selection from “The Sacred Veil”, a 12-movement work composed by Eric Whitacre, recorded by the LA Master Chorale January 13-14, 2020 at Musco Center for the Arts in Orange, California.
Eric Whitacre's latest work, for chorus, piano and cello, The Sacred Veil, was commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale who give the first performance at Walt Disney Hall in February 2019. With Whitacre himself conducting, The Sacred Veil has been recorded by those first performers, and the album is now available from Signum Classics. Set to words largely by the poet Anthony Silvestri, The Sacred Veil, takes as its theme the death, from ovarian cancer, in 2005, of Silvestri's wife Julie, who was only 36. James Jolly spoke to Eric Whitacre about the work, and how it came into being, for this Gramophone Podcast.
Percussionist and arts policy consultant Sidney Hopson shares how he found strength and comfort in classical music as a young child struggling to care for his ailing parents. We discuss how Sidney's discovery of cultural policy, pinpointing how he could bring the transformative power of music to others through legislative action, enabled him to combat audition anxiety, a decade of depression, and the pervasive racism of the classical music industry. Lastly, Sidney unpacks why he's experiencing increased creativity and motivation during the pandemic and offers advice to those of us who may be struggling to produce creative work or take social action during this difficult period. Sidney Hopson celebrates a diverse career spanning the music industry and public policy. As a percussionist, he has performed for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, Jacaranda Chamber Ensemble, Southeast Symphony, Ensemble FIRE (NYC), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Opera Santa Barbara, members of the Echo Society, and more. He is currently the principal percussionist of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra. He has also performed and recorded with a wide range of commercial artists including Stevie Wonder, Danny Elfman, Rhianna, Burt Bacharach, the cast of "GLEE", Dionne Warwick, Lamont Dozier, Dave Koz, Patrice Rushen, David Benoit, and Brian Wilson. Sidney can be heard on over 100 film/tv soundtracks, from the cult horror film The Caretaker to Illumination's How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2018). As an arts consultant, Hopson advises artists, arts institutions, and the public and private sectors on content development, strategy, and best practices to advance social justice and cultural equity, foster economic growth, prevent local crime and global terrorism, mitigate climate change, and support international development via the arts. Questions and comments can be shared on Julia Adolphe's YouTube Channel.
Singer, composer, and song-collector Moira Smiley has sung in arenas, cathedrals, kitchens, back porches, sound stages, and on glaciers. She's performed with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Tune-Yards, Tim O'Brien, Eric Whitacre, Los Angeles Master Chorale, New World Symphony, Solas, and The Lyris String Quartet. Moira's original compositions, choral arrangements, and folk music are being sung by millions of voices around the world today. Original sheet music for more than 170 pieces are available through this website, and Moira's sheet music library. Moira uses voice and body movement to create collective connections as well as interpersonal connections. Fostering self expression and embracing inner tantrums as a way to rise and reach all potentials. Please visit Moira's website for more information on her music and projects or to join her newsletter: https://moirasmiley.com/
Listen to a fascinating visit with a composer who has written music for Popes, Dioceses, Cathedrals, famous Choirs, Colleges, and Concert Halls. Paul Gibson was born in Sacramento, California. A few years later, his family moved to the small village of Chitray, France, near the airbase at Châteauroux where his father worked for the U.S. Air Force. Gibson experienced his first liturgical music – Latin hymns and chants – in the local parish church. He received degrees in composition from Mount St. Mary’s University (Los Angeles) and California State University, Northridge. He studied with Matt Doran, Frank Campo, Aurelio de la Vega, Ian Krouse, and John Harbison.Gibson was commissioned to arrange hymns for the visit of Pope John Paul II to L.A. Publisher G.I.A. released A Mass of Life, a critically acclaimed CD of his sacred music. He took part in the first Composers Symposium at the Oregon Bach Festival, where three of his works were performed.For its 15th anniversary, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus commissioned Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass. Commissioned by Loyola Marymount University for the Golden Jubilee of the choral program founded by the late Paul Salamunovich, Gibson’s Te Deum for chorus and orchestra was premiered at LMU under Dr. Mary Breden. The following year saw his music in first performances at Carnegie Hall and St. Olaf College.This award-winning composer’s music has been broadcast on hundreds of radio stations and received performances by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, three Grammy-winning choruses: Los Angeles Chamber Singers, the Kansas City Chorale, and the Phoenix Chorale, and many others. He is published by Alliance, ECS, Fatrock Ink, G.I.A., Morningstar, and OCP. http://paulgibsonmusic.comMUSIC: Salve Regina Paul Gibson recorded by ZephyrMUSIC: May God Bless Us Paul Gibson recorded by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductorMUSIC: Dona Nobis Pacem Paul Gibson LA Children’s Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, conductorMUSIC: The Love of Our Creator Paul Gibson recorded in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Portland, OR for OCP Commissioned by the Diocese of Orange for the installation of Bishop Tod David Brown. Premiered by Matt Gray at Holy Family CathedralMUSIC: Te Deum: 7. Alleluia. Amen. Paul Gibson Loyola Marymount University Choruses and Orchestra, Mary Breden, conductorOriginal air date Saturday, November 3, 2018
In this episode, Christine has a conversation with the wonderful Grant Gershon, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Together they discuss the human aspect of music making, and how music can connect people from all different aspects of life in powerful ways. Grant shares his expertise on how, as musicians, we can garner that sense of connectedness through our performance, and how we can look forward towards the future of music and performance. As an added bonus, Grant shares some valuable advice for musicians wanting to make a career out of music.
Jennifer Marotta is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. An active freelance musician based in Los Angeles, she regularly performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the St. Louis Symphony.Marotta is currently a member of the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Music of the Baroque in Chicago. She was a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band from 2001 to 2005.Originally from Naperville, Illinois, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and her Master of Music degree from DePaul University.Marotta was a visiting trumpet professor at UCLA in 2016 and was Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Kennesaw State University from 2006 to 2012. She was also a visiting professor at Illinois State University in 2006 and was an artist-in-residence at Emory University from 2006 to 2010.Jennifer, along with her husband Thomas Hooten, is the most recent editor for Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet, published by Carl Fischer. She serves on the board for the International Women’s Brass Conference and is the editor for their bi-annual newsletter.Support the show (https://thatsnotspit.com/support/)
Jennifer Rosenfeld believes that building a life and career where her creative expression is center stage is the key to success...and she's forging the way for others to do the same. A leading arts entrepreneurship educator and speaker, Jennifer has worked with professional artists of all genres on identifying and pursuing their career goals and overcoming the obstacles that come up along the way. She is the co-founder of iCadenza and Cadenza Artists, co-author of Awakening Your Business Brain: an iCadenza Guide to Launching your Music Career and the host of iCadenza's Creative Careers podcast. With Bachelor of Arts degrees from Stanford University in History and Slavic Languages and Literatures and a JD/MBA from Stanford Law School and Graduate School of Business, Jennifer has consulted for organizations and universities including Hyatt, Nordstrom, SF MOMA, Stanford University, the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Frost School of Music at University of Miami, Chorus America, and Classical KUSC. Her work with universities has ranged from designing and teaching new coursework on career preparation for musicians, consulting on curriculum development, leading workshops, and facilitating faculty retreats. She also sits on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Classical KDFC, the Bay Area's classical radio station. Jennifer's creativity is not only seen in her professional accomplishments, but in her artistic contributions as a musical theater writer and composer. Her 15 minute musical, Fears Anonymous, debuted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June 2018 and she is currently writing a musical about the White Rose, a student-led resistance movement in Nazi Germany. www.icadenza.com jennifer@icadenza.com For more episodes and info go to www.franciskamusic.com
6 time Grammy Award-winner Fred Vogler is the principal sound designer and FOH mixer for the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Throughout the year, he also records the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for commercial and broadcast release. Fred is also one of the first live mixers to work in immersive audio using the L-Acoustics L-ISA system on high profile events for Deadmau5 and the LA Phil 100th anniversary tour show in Seoul, S. Korea. During the interview we spoke about mixing in an immersive environment, what it’s like to mix at the Hollywood Bowl, what happens if a visiting mixer gets too loud, the punishing schedule during the summer, and much more. You can learn more about Fred at Sonitus Consulting. On the intro I take a look at how music is expected to disappear from the radio in 10 years, and tips on how to hydrate your voice properly.
6 time Grammy Award-winner Fred Vogler is the principal sound designer and FOH mixer for the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Throughout the year, he also records the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for commercial and broadcast release. Fred is also one of the […]
Dale Trumbore is a successful composer and the author of the recently released book Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life. She joins the show to talk about her career, her music, and to talk about issues related to anxiety for musicians. Topics: Dale’s background and her journey to becoming a full time composer, including some lessons learned from an influential teacher. Dale’s career as a composer including her choral music, how she finds text to set, and the value she sees for students who are part of commissions. A long discussion about anxiety and strategies for coping with it in a creative career. Some actionable tips for working through creative blocks. Links: Dale Trumbore, Composer Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life Trumbore: In the Middle Yoga with Adriene Messiaen: O Sacrum Convivium Biography: Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been praised by The New York Times for its "soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies." Trumbore's compositions have been performed widely in the U.S. and internationally by ensembles including the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Modesto Symphony, Neave Trio, Pacific Chorale, Pasadena Symphony, The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, and VocalEssence. Trumbore is Composer in Residence for Choral Chameleon and was previously Composer in Residence for Nova Vocal Ensemble. She has been an Artist in Residence at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Copland House, Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, and Willapa Bay AiR. How to Go On, Choral Arts Initiative's album of Trumbore's choral works, debuted at #6 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart. Choral Arts Northwest, The Esoterics, Helix Collective, New York Virtuoso Singers, and soprano Gillian Hollis have also commercially recorded works by Trumbore. Her published choral works are available through Boosey & Hawkes and G. Schirmer. As a composer who works frequently with words, Trumbore is passionate about setting to music poems, prose and found text by living writers. She has written extensively about working through creative blocks and establishing a career in music in essays for 21CM, Cantate Magazine, the Center for New Music, and NewMusicBox, and she is the author of Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life. Trumbore holds a dual degree in Music Composition and English from the University of Maryland and a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Southern California. A New Jersey native, Trumbore lives in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of L.A. with her fiancé and their two cats.
Having clear boundaries is important to all our relationships – personal and professional. Yet boundaries can also be a hindrance. Sir Ranulph Fiennes explains how he pushes through physical and mental barriers to go where no man or woman has gone before; country-soul singer Yola Carter tells us how she’s learned the importance of setting boundaries; conductor Grant Gershon, ahead of the Los Angeles Master Chorale concert, describes how the use of dramatic performance can unlock our understanding of classical music; and sitar player and composer Jonathan Mayer explains his passion for crossing boundaries between Indian and Western styles of music ahead of his Riverside Ragas: Altered Boundaries concert.
Jennifer Marotta is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. An active freelance musician based in Los Angeles, she regularly performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the St. Louis Symphony. Marotta is currently a member of the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Music of the Baroque in Chicago. She was a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band from 2001 to 2005. Originally from Naperville, Illinois, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and her Master of Music degree from DePaul University. Marotta was a visiting trumpet professor at UCLA in 2016 and was Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Kennesaw State University from 2006 to 2012. She was also a visiting professor at Illinois State University in 2006 and was an artist-in-residence at Emory University from 2006 to 2010. Jennifer, along with her husband Thomas Hooten, is the most recent editor for Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet, published by Carl Fischer. She serves on the board for the International Women’s Brass Conference and is the editor for their bi-annual newsletter. In this fun and lively conversation, we cover: Teaching at USC Subbing for Jens at UCLA Freelancing and travel Playing in the US Marine Band St. Louis and Atlanta on the way to LA Being married to another professional trumpet player (Thomas Hooten, Principal trumpet in the LA Phil Similar teaching styles with Tom Differences in their playing styles Ambassador of Euphonium, Adam Frey Kennesaw State with Tom Gibson, Wes Funderburk, and Dave Kehler Studying with Barbara Butler Balancing fundamentals with musical communication Treating each student in a way that is best for them Taking the best stuff from her teachers and heroes The USC students study with both of them and switch each semester Teton Festival Playing in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band Joining the band just after 9/11 Seven-week tours and "Tour Babies" Playing for President Reagan's funeral in 90-degree heat Playing with the Atlanta Opera Being on the board of the International Women's Brass Conference and editor of the newsletter Playing with the Monarch Brass Ask a Performer site LINKS: Personal Site USC Bio Page Ask A Performer Site Arban's Want to help the show? Here are some ways: Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes. Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron. Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.) Tell your friends! Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.
Jennifer Marotta is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. An active freelance musician based in Los Angeles, she regularly performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the St. Louis Symphony. Marotta is currently a member of the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Music of the Baroque in Chicago. She was a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band from 2001 to 2005. Jennifer, along with her husband Thomas Hooten, is the most recent editor for Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet, published by Carl Fischer. She serves on the board for the International Women’s Brass Conference and is the editor for their bi-annual newsletter. The show notes for this episode can be found at www.bobreeves.com/58.
The emotional, some say spiritual, effect music has on us is notoriously difficult to put into words. It’s sort of like analyzing why something is funny. The reality ever exceeds our verbal grasp. Why are minor chords sad and majors happy? Why, when you hear a song from your childhood is there a superglue of emotion attached, bringing you instantly to those moments long ago? This week’s guest is one of the greats in the choral music world. If you enjoy music with a lush, cinematic sound created for multiple voices on the exquisite side, Morten Lauridsen is your man. The most frequently performed American composer of choral music, Lauridsen is a National Medal of Arts recipient (2007), he was composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (1994–2001), and has been a professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for more than 50 years. His work has been recorded on over 200 CDs including five with Grammy nominations. We’re talking serious musical gravitas here. On November 11, 2018, a massive concert for international television is being held at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany to mark the centenary of the end of World War One. In addition to Welsh composer Karl Jenkins’ Mass for Peace, the other piece selected is Lauridsen’s beautiful Lux Aeterna. I predict not a dry eye on that night. You can imagine my surprise when, during the interview, the great man spontaneously began playing a portion of his classic O Magnum Mysterium to explain why the notes for the word “Virgo” ground the piece in a special way! In this interview, you will learn: Why every artist has to risk failure; as not trying guarantees failure How Lauridsen became a late bloomer as a composer, at age 50, and maybe how you can, too Why poetry deserves a massive revival The importance of stillness and quiet for human serenity and creativity The mysterious way in which music connects us to the divine Resources mentioned in this episode: O Magnum Mysterium performance Lux Aeterna performance Profound talk by director Karl Paulnack to music freshmen at Boston College Conservatory CD album, Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna; Madrigali; Ave Maria; Ubi Caritas CD album streaming, Lauridsen: Mid-Winter Songs Connect with Morten: www.mortenlauridsen.net The Patrick Coffin Show is 100% listener supported. Help us keep our show independent and unfiltered. Consider supporting our work with a one-time or recurring donation HERE. Tweet to Patrick HERE Follow Patrick on Facebook HERE Check out the store HERE Sign up for our Inside Scoop newsletter with the best of The Patrick Coffin Show each week. Join the Conversation Question of the week: With only one life to live, if you feel like you have something to create, musically or otherwise, what is stopping you?
Some of our episodes are inspirational in nature, and some are instructive. This one is both. You can’t help but be amazed by what the National Children’s Chorus is doing with their 800 students in 18 ensembles based in 3 major cities. Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer discusses what is ahead for this world-class chorus. But also, you get to hear the logistics behind commissioning an original work. Emmy nominated composer Sharon Farber describes her collaboration with the NCC, and discusses the upcoming premiere of “Children of Light.” And listen all the way to the end, because Luke and Sharon unlock the key elements of a successful chorus! Listen [Subscribe on iTunes] [Subscribe on Android] Highlight to Tweet: “Children of peace and grace, their song...unlocks the aching heart of the world.” - Sharon Farber “Joy and desire are where we start for everything.” - Luke McEndarfer Show Notes: Part of the mission of the National Children’s Chorus is to commission new works for children’s chorus. Most recent commission was completed by noted composer Sharon Farber. NCC Season - “Winter Dream” performances coming up, featuring concepts of darkness and light. How children can remain a light in the world through music. Commissioning a work that goes along with this theme: why Sharon was interested in this collaboration. How she approached writing this new piece, “Children of Light”, in Hebrew. Compositional styles and considerations taken when writing for children. Plans for world and East Coast premieres at Royce Hall in LA and Lincoln Center in NYC this December. Why it’s important to create new quality works for children by living composers. Most important qualities for a chorister are joy in singing and a strong desire to be there. Most important qualities in a conductor are skill in the art of conducting, experience playing an instrument, engaging personality, love of music. Bio: The National Children’s Chorus of the United States, under the leadership of Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer, is quickly establishing itself as one of the world’s leading treble choruses, with nearly 700 students in 18 ensembles, based in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Collaborating with some of the finest music companies in the nation, the group has performed live with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera Company, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, Kronos String Quartet, New York City Master Chorale and American Youth Symphony, among others. Its groundbreaking Season 2017/18, entitled Building Bridges, features exquisite repertoire including notable commissions and premieres at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Royce Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. In July of 2018, the chorus will make its 4th major international tour to Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary. Resources/links Mentioned: National Children’s Chorus on Facebook National Children’s Chorus on Instagram Sharon Farber Choir Nahttp://sharonfarber.comtion group on Facebook Email Patreon - Support the podcast! Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!) My Music Folders (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for “last column” or best pricing - usually reserved for bulk purchases only!)
Anne Tomlinson has served as Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Artistic Director since 1996, overseeing the educational and artistic development of the 400-member chorus and conducting LACC’s renowned Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. She has positively impacted the lives of thousands upon thousands of children and helped shape LA’s cultural landscape in myriad ways over the past two decades. Today she talks to Ryan about the all the right keys: the best keys for children to sing in, and the keys for singing for a lifetime. Listen [Subscribe on iTunes] [Subscribe on Android] Highlight to Tweet: “Children can learn the basics of singing best in a choir.” - Anne Tomlinson Show Notes: About Anne: Anne Tomlinson is the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC). Her background is in piano, not teaching, but she learned from outstanding mentors while accompanying the LACC LACC is famous for bel canto teaching technique, producing a uniquely pure and resonant sound. On repertoire: Latin, Italian, German, Hebrew, Spanish, and Japanese are all good language choices for children, focusing on Italianate vowels. When selecting repertoire, focus on educating not just your students, but also your audience. Have the children talk about the piece, helping parents understand why we make these musical choices. Pick repertoire that supports the technique of the choir. Balance your selections, considering, unison, parts, sweet melodies, and more rhythmic selections. Can’t find a piece in a sharp key (better for young voices)? Transpose. Your choir is bigger than just the children in it Want to build relationships with other community arts organizations? Just ask for an opportunity to meet and share your goals and vision for a partnership. Invite them to your concerts, have children talk to them, demonstrate how their ticket sales are likely to increase. Teach children how to sing for a lifetime, technique that will allow them to sing in whatever style they choose as an adult. Shaping a singer is a long game, and children can damage their voices singing in styles that are not developmentally appropriate. Bio: Anne Tomlinson, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), oversees the educational and artistic development of the Chorus and leads LACC’s renowned Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Additionally, she is Children’s Chorus Mistress for LA Opera. Tomlinson has worked with celebrated conductors Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Plácido Domingo, James Conlon and Grant Gershon and prepared the Chorus for performances with LA Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, among other leading organizations. Tomlinson’s film work includes the 2002 Academy Award-nominated documentary Sing!, which chronicles a year in the life of LACC, and the sequel documentaries Sing Opera! and Sing China!. Her live broadcast work includes the January 2005 Chamber Singers performance on NPR’s nationally syndicated program “From the Top.” Tomlinson is a frequent guest conductor and presenter at symposia, workshops and festivals both nationally and internationally. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Master’s degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied with Margaret Hillis. Among many awards, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and Tomlinson are the 2014 recipients of the Chorus America Margaret Hillis award for choral excellence. Tomlinson is stepping down from Los Angeles Children’s Chorus at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, after 22 years of leading the organization to unprecedented growth and artistic excellence. Resources/links Mentioned: Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Chorus America Coffin's Overtones of Bel Canto Dinner with Edward, by Isabel Vincent Choir Nation group on Facebook Email Patreon - Support the podcast! Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!) My Music Folders (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for “last column” or best pricing - usually reserved for bulk purchases only!)
Concert: Organ Recital: Iveta Apkalna Upbeat Live provides historical and cultural context for many concerts, featuring engaging speakers, audio examples, and special guests. These events are free to ticket holders and are held in BP Hall, on the second floor, accessible after your ticket is scanned. For more information: laphil.com/upbeatlive About the Speaker: Born in Mannheim, Germany, Christoph Bull has performed and recorded around the world, including France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Russia, India, Taiwan and El Salvador, at national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists and at venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Lincoln Center in New York City, Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, the Cathedrals of Moscow, Saint-Denis and Salzburg as well as rock clubs like The Viper Room, The Roxy and The Whisky in Los Angeles. He's collaborated with leading orchestras, conductors, choirs and ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, James Conlon, Carl St.Clair, Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony and Grammy-winning Southwest Chamber Music. He improvised his first melodies on the piano at the age of five and gave his first organ recitals and rock concerts with a band at the age of twelve. Following his graduation at Karl-Friedrich-Gymnasium Mannheim and organ studies at University of Church Music in Heidelberg and Musikhochschule Freiburg, he earned degrees at Berklee College of Music, University of Southern California and American Conservatory of Music on multiple scholarships. His organ teachers were Cherry Rhodes, Hermann Schäffer, Ludwig Dörr, Samuel Swartz, Christoph Schöner and Paul Jordan. He won prizes in numerous organ and composition competitions, including “Jugend musiziert”, Michael Masser Competition, Berklee College of Music Songwriting Competition and International Organ Competition Marcello Galanti. Christoph Bull is the creator of the genre-crossing, collaborative multi-media series organica, combining traditional and contemporary music. His collaborators include DJs, video artists, live painter, instrumentalists and singers. He has also contributed to projects by Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Harry Connick Jr., George Clinton and Bootsy Collins (Parliament Funkadelic), Cindy Lauper, Lili Haydn and Nishat Khan and opened the organ series at Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa and Villa Aurora in the Pacific Palisades. He's received several awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for creative and innovative concert programs and has released a number of CDs, including License To Chill, Old School, organica 2001, organica 2, and organica 3. His musical Treasure Island, a collaboration with lyricist Tim Mathews, was premiered in both the U.S. and Germany. His solo album First & Grand, the world premiere recording of the Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ, was celebrated by the international trade press and showcases the stylistic versatility and expressiveness of his playing. His original song “Peace” was featured on the benefit album 2 Unite All together with songs by Peter Gabriel, Stewart Copeland and others. His music has been broadcast on TV and radio, including on NPR's flagship station in Southern California, KCRW, on Classical KUSC and the Minnesota Public Radio program “Pipedreams”. Christoph Bull is based in Los Angeles. In addition to his activities as a concert organist, composer, singer-songwriter, speaker, university organist and organ professor at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he is organist-in-residence at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, playing the largest church pipe organ in the world.
Concert: From the New World Upbeat Live provides historical and cultural context for many concerts, featuring engaging speakers, audio examples, and special guests. These events are free to ticket holders and are held in BP Hall, on the second floor, accessible after your ticket is scanned. For more information: laphil.com/upbeatlive About the Speaker: Alan Chapman is heard weekdays on Classical KUSC (91.5 FM). He also produces and hosts “Modern Times” on Saturday nights and “A Musical Offering,” a program of Baroque music Sunday mornings. He was a longtime Professor of Music at Occidental College and served as a Visiting Professor at UCLA and UC Santa Barbara. In recent years he has been a member of the music theory faculty of the Colburn Conservatory. Well known as a pre-concert lecturer, he has been a regular speaker on the Upbeat Live series since its inception in 1984. He also works closely with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Pacific Symphony, and has been heard globally as programmer and host of the inflight classical channels on United and Delta Airlines. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he earned a Ph.D. in music theory from Yale University. His analytical work has appeared in The Journal of Music Theory, and he is a contributor to A New Orpheus: Essays on Kurt Weill (Yale University Press, 1986), winner of the 1987 Deems Taylor Award for excellence in writing on music. Dr. Chapman is also active as a composer-lyricist and pianist. His songs, which have been performed and recorded by Andrea Marcovicci, Amanda McBroom, and many other artists throughout the United States and in England, have been honored by ASCAP, the Johnny Mercer Foundation, and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets. His children's opera Les Moose: The Operatic Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, commissioned by Los Angeles Opera, was premiered in 15 public schools in 1997. Peter and Mr. Wolf, a work chronicling the tribulations of an eighth-grader in search of a science project, was commissioned by Chamber Music Palisades and premiered in 2008 with Chapman as narrator. He frequently appears with his wife, soprano Karen Benjamin, in evenings of his original songs as well as concerts dedicated to preserving the American Songbook. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, New York's Town Hall, the Los Angeles Music Center, Pepperdine University, Ford Amphitheatre, Broad Stage, Dallas Museum of Art, and many other venues across the United States. Their CD, Que Será, Será: The Songs of Livingston and Evans, features the late Ray Evans telling the stories behind such beloved songs as “Mona Lisa” and “Silver Bells.”
Concert: Organ Recital: Felix Hell Upbeat Live provides historical and cultural context for many concerts, featuring engaging speakers, audio examples, and special guests. These events are free to ticket holders and are held in BP Hall, on the second floor, accessible after your ticket is scanned. For more information: laphil.com/upbeatlive About the Speaker: Born in Mannheim, Germany, Christoph Bull has performed and recorded around the world, including France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Russia, India, Taiwan and El Salvador, at national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists and at venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Lincoln Center in New York City, Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, the Cathedrals of Moscow, Saint-Denis and Salzburg as well as rock clubs like The Viper Room, The Roxy and The Whisky in Los Angeles. He's collaborated with leading orchestras, conductors, choirs and ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, James Conlon, Carl St.Clair, Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony and Grammy-winning Southwest Chamber Music. He improvised his first melodies on the piano at the age of five and gave his first organ recitals and rock concerts with a band at the age of twelve. Following his graduation at Karl-Friedrich-Gymnasium Mannheim and organ studies at University of Church Music in Heidelberg and Musikhochschule Freiburg, he earned degrees at Berklee College of Music, University of Southern California and American Conservatory of Music on multiple scholarships. His organ teachers were Cherry Rhodes, Hermann Schäffer, Ludwig Dörr, Samuel Swartz, Christoph Schöner and Paul Jordan. He won prizes in numerous organ and composition competitions, including “Jugend musiziert”, Michael Masser Competition, Berklee College of Music Songwriting Competition and International Organ Competition Marcello Galanti. Christoph Bull is the creator of the genre-crossing, collaborative multi-media series organica, combining traditional and contemporary music. His collaborators include DJs, video artists, live painter, instrumentalists and singers. He has also contributed to projects by Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Harry Connick Jr., George Clinton and Bootsy Collins (Parliament Funkadelic), Cindy Lauper, Lili Haydn and Nishat Khan and opened the organ series at Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa and Villa Aurora in the Pacific Palisades. He's received several awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for creative and innovative concert programs and has released a number of CDs, including License To Chill, Old School, organica 2001, organica 2, and organica 3. His musical Treasure Island, a collaboration with lyricist Tim Mathews, was premiered in both the U.S. and Germany. His solo album First & Grand, the world premiere recording of the Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ, was celebrated by the international trade press and showcases the stylistic versatility and expressiveness of his playing. His original song “Peace” was featured on the benefit album 2 Unite All together with songs by Peter Gabriel, Stewart Copeland and others. His music has been broadcast on TV and radio, including on NPR's flagship station in Southern California, KCRW, on Classical KUSC and the Minnesota Public Radio program “Pipedreams”. Christoph Bull is based in Los Angeles. In addition to his activities as a concert organist, composer, singer-songwriter, speaker, university organist and organ professor at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he is organist-in-residence at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, playing the largest church pipe organ in the world.
Concert: Tetzlaff Plays Dvořák Upbeat Live provides historical and cultural context for many concerts, featuring engaging speakers, audio examples, and special guests. These events are free to ticket holders and are held in BP Hall, on the second floor, accessible after your ticket is scanned. For more information: laphil.com/upbeatlive About the Speaker: Los Angeles native Christian Campos is managing artistic director of the Horizon Music Group. Under Campos' stewardship, the ensemble has collaborated with the Cincinnati Boychoir (Bach cantatas), Long Beach Camerata Singers (Handel's Messiah), Pacific Chorale (Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna), and Bach Collegium San Diego (Bach's St. John Passion). Campos has performed at the Oregon, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Whittier College Bach Festivals. His conducting style has been described as “expressive, varied and tuned perfectly with the music” (Long Beach Grunion Gazette). Campos graduated from DePauw University where he studied music and economics while participating in honors programs in business management and information technology. A champion of world music, he received a grant from the ASIANetwork to study Indian Carnatic Music, the result of which was the first ever online database of ragas, composers, and compositions. Since returning to California, he has worked as a guest conductor and contractor of choirs and orchestras, regularly performing with musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and Los Angeles Master Chorale. He has contracted for the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, Broad Stage, Santa Monica College, CalState Long Beach, Fullerton, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino, and a host of area performing organizations. Christian has been featured on the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Upbeat Live pre-concert series; in previous seasons he worked as a score reader at the Hollywood Bowl and lecturer as part of the Student Insiders pre-concert series. Campos has served on the faculty at Pomona College and the USC Thornton School of Music, where he recently completed his coursework towards a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
Concert: Gil Shaham Plays Prokofiev Upbeat Live provides historical and cultural context for many concerts, featuring engaging speakers, audio examples, and special guests. These events are free to ticket holders and are held in BP Hall, on the second floor, accessible after your ticket is scanned. For more information: laphil.com/upbeatlive About the Speaker: Alan Chapman is heard weekdays on Classical KUSC (91.5 FM). He also produces and hosts “Modern Times” on Saturday nights and “A Musical Offering,” a program of Baroque music Sunday mornings. He was a longtime Professor of Music at Occidental College and served as a Visiting Professor at UCLA and UC Santa Barbara. In recent years he has been a member of the music theory faculty of the Colburn Conservatory. Well known as a pre-concert lecturer, he has been a regular speaker on the Upbeat Live series since its inception in 1984. He also works closely with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Pacific Symphony, and has been heard globally as programmer and host of the inflight classical channels on United and Delta Airlines. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he earned a Ph.D. in music theory from Yale University. His analytical work has appeared in The Journal of Music Theory, and he is a contributor to A New Orpheus: Essays on Kurt Weill (Yale University Press, 1986), winner of the 1987 Deems Taylor Award for excellence in writing on music. Dr. Chapman is also active as a composer-lyricist and pianist. His songs, which have been performed and recorded by Andrea Marcovicci, Amanda McBroom, and many other artists throughout the United States and in England, have been honored by ASCAP, the Johnny Mercer Foundation, and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets. His children's opera Les Moose: The Operatic Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, commissioned by Los Angeles Opera, was premiered in 15 public schools in 1997. Peter and Mr. Wolf, a work chronicling the tribulations of an eighth-grader in search of a science project, was commissioned by Chamber Music Palisades and premiered in 2008 with Chapman as narrator. He frequently appears with his wife, soprano Karen Benjamin, in evenings of his original songs as well as concerts dedicated to preserving the American Songbook. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, New York's Town Hall, the Los Angeles Music Center, Pepperdine University, Ford Amphitheatre, Broad Stage, Dallas Museum of Art, and many other venues across the United States. Their CD, Que Será, Será: The Songs of Livingston and Evans, features the late Ray Evans telling the stories behind such beloved songs as “Mona Lisa” and “Silver Bells.”
Mo. Grant Gershon is my guest this week. He's an amazing pianist, conductor and colleague. He holds the titles of Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Resident Conductor of the Los Angeles Opera. Our conversation whizzed by and I was left with a ton of questions I didn't have the time to ask- hopefully we'll have time for a "shorty" follow-up interview in the future. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the interview and thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Lesley Leighton is the Associate Conductor for the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Artistic Director of the Los Robles Master Chorale. She is also a certified chef and a former member of Michael Bloomberg's inner circle, during his mayorship of NYC. Lesley is interesting, candid and a nice lady to spend an hour with. I hope you enjoy our chat- Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.