Best Shira And Melanie Podcasts (2024)

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EP704: Chorus America: Dr. Kirsten Hedegaard - For the Good of the Earth - Choral Music & EcoActivism 47:15

11M ago47:15

47:15

For the next several episodes, we’re partnering with Chorus America to bring you a sneak preview of what’s coming up at the Chorus America Annual Conference, being held this year in our home town, San Francisco! We hope you’ll enjoy this opportunity to get to know a bit more about the conference’s speakers and their areas of expertise, and especial…

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EP703: Chorus America: Dr. Antonio Cuyler - The Great Imagining: Envisioning and Manifesting an Antiracist Choral Field 44:00

12M ago44:00

44:00

For the next several episodes, we’re partnering with Chorus America to bring you a sneak preview of what’s coming up at the Chorus America Annual Conference, being held this year in our home town, San Francisco! We hope you’ll enjoy this opportunity to get to know a bit more about the conference’s speakers and their areas of expertise, and especial…

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EP702: Chorus America: Melanie DeMore - Seeing Each Other through Song 44:59

12M ago44:59

44:59

For the next several episodes, we’re partnering with Chorus America to bring you a sneak preview of what’s coming up at the Chorus America Annual Conference, being held this year in our home town, San Francisco! We hope you’ll enjoy this opportunity to get to know a bit more about the conference’s speakers and their areas of expertise, and especial…

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EP701: Chorus America: Karen Hopper - Unleash Your Fundraising With Digital Scale 48:05

12M ago48:05

48:05

For the next several episodes, we’re partnering with Chorus America to bring you a sneak preview of what’s coming up at the Chorus America Annual Conference, being held this year in our home town, San Francisco! We hope you’ll enjoy this opportunity to get to know a bit more about the conference’s speakers and their areas of expertise, and especial…

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EP601: World Premiere of BABA: The Life and Death of Stana with Karmina Šilec and Shira Cion of Kitka 1:07:01

1y ago1:07:01

1:07:01

Today on In Unison, we’re chatting with composer and director Karmina Šilec of Carmina Slovenika and Executive Artistic director Shira Cion of San Francisco-based Kitka about the upcoming premiere of the newly commissioned opera, “BABA: The Life and Death of Stana.” This new opera offers an innovative, non-narrative take on Balkan epic story-singin…

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EP508: Painting on a canvas of breath - Craig Hella Johnson of Conspirare 1:15:03

2y ago1:15:03

1:15:03

Today on In Unison, we’re chatting with Craig Hella Johnson, founder and Artistic Director of Conspirare, a grammy-winning choir based in Austin, Texas that is comprised of distinctive solo artists from around the country who are also committed to the highest level of ensemble performance. Music excerpts “Let the River Run,” by Carly Simon, perform…

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EP507: Solo-voice ensemble singing and the Ficta Police - Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini 1:08:45

2y ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Today on In Unison, we’re heading across the pond to chat with Robert Hollingworth, the director of I Fagiolini, a solo-voice ensemble based in the UK. Robert also co-hosts a very choir-nerdy podcast called Choral Chihuahua, and his passion for bringing choral music to the masses definitely helped to inspire the In Unison podcast. Music excerpts “D…

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EP506: Choral excellence from the Philippines - Mark Anthony Carpio of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Christopher Arceo of Aleron 1:30:50

2y ago1:30:50

1:30:50

We have a special place in our hearts for the choral music of the Philippines, and we have many mutual friends who were raised in the Filipino choral tradition. Thanks to our dear friend Robin Estrada, we were lucky enough to get not one, but TWO incredible choral conductors to join us for this episode of In Unison: Mark Anthony Carpio of the Phili…

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EP505: Championing a new normal for women in music - Beth Willer & Anne Riesenfeld of Lorelei Ensemble 1:02:28

2y ago1:02:28

1:02:28

On today’s episode, we’re chatting with Beth Willer and Anne Riesenfeld of Lorelei Ensemble. Lorelei is an organization that creates and champions bold artistic work that points toward a new normal for women in music. Through commissioning, performance, and education, Lorelei is carving out a boundless new space for women to be among, and become, o…

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EP504: Examining diversity in early music - Arianne Abela of Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble 1:04:47

2y ago1:04:47

1:04:47

On today’s episode, we are chatting with Arianne Abela, the Artistic Director and co-founder of Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble, a group that engages in creative educational outreach to audiences and students, particularly in communities of color, and promotes the study, research, performance, and recording of music from various eras with special atten…

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EP503: Pushing the boundaries of choral performance - Karmina Šilec of Carmina Slovenica 1:06:42

2y ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Today’s conversation came about as a result of the choral world being a small one, where everyone is connected in one way or another. Through Bob Geary of Volti, we managed to get in touch with an incredible luminary in the world of choral music: Karmina Šilec, who is the Artistic Director of Carmina Slovenica, a Slovenian production house that is …

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EP502: Anywhere else it would’ve been an ‘A’ - Collegiate singing at Swarthmore College 1:01:03

2y ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Today we’re continuing our series of episodes focused on ensembles, and this episode’s conversation is with Dr. Joseph Gregorio, the director of choirs at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. It’s a very interesting conversation covering the operations of choirs at a well-established educational institution, a somewhat different perspective than the…

1
EP501: The Santa Fe Desert Chorale with Dr. Joshua Habermann and Emma Marzen 1:15:31

2y ago1:15:31

1:15:31

Today we’re chatting with the Artistic and Executive Directors of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale to learn all about the storied past, present, and future of this unique professional vocal ensemble. We’ll also learn about the inner workings of planning and producing a successful season for the Desert Chorale, and discuss some of the characteristics of …

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EP416 End of Year Wrap-Up: Holiday Concert Edition 5:43

2+ y ago5:43

5:43

Today’s episode is a quick end of year wrap-up of 2021, and what a year it’s been! We’ve got info on some upcoming events for IOCSF and the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, so listen in for more details on live (and live streaming!) concerts coming your way this month. Episode transcript Edited by Fausto Daos Episode references IOCSF Events Golden Gate Me…

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EP415 Freshly Squeezed: Kyle Randall 54:59

2+ y ago54:59

54:59

Today’s episode of In Unison continues our mini-series of discussions with composers to be featured on IOCSF’s upcoming concert program, Freshly Squeezed. The performances will take place on December 4th in Berkeley, and December 18th in San Francisco. For more information on IOCSF’s concerts, please visit iocsf.org Today’s conversation is with com…

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EP414 Freshly Squeezed: Sam Maurer 1:09:23

2+ y ago1:09:23

1:09:23

Today’s episode of In Unison continues our mini-series of discussions with composers to be featured on IOCSF’s upcoming concert program, Freshly Squeezed. The performances will take place on December 4th in Berkeley, and December 18th in San Francisco. For more information on IOCSF’s concerts, please visit iocsf.org Today’s conversation is with IOC…

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EP413 Freshly Squeezed: Soren Austenfeld 56:55

2+ y ago56:55

56:55

Today’s episode of In Unison continues our mini-series of discussions with composers to be featured on IOCSF’s upcoming concert program, Freshly Squeezed. The performances will take place on December 4th in Berkeley, and December 18th in San Francisco. For more information on IOCSF’s concerts, please visit iocsf.org Today’s conversation is with IOC…

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EP412 Freshly Squeezed: Bryan Lin 56:30

2+ y ago56:30

56:30

Today’s episode of In Unison continues our mini-series of discussions with composers to be featured on IOCSF’s upcoming concert program, Freshly Squeezed. The performances will take place on December 4th in Berkeley, and December 18th in San Francisco. Our conversation today is with San Francisco Conservatory grad and IOCSF alum, Bryan Lin, about h…

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EP411 Freshly Squeezed: Michael T Roberts 1:03:44

2+ y ago1:03:44

1:03:44

On today’s episode of In Unison we’re continuing our mini-series of conversations with the composers whose works will be premiered on IOCSF’s Freshly Squeezed program on December 4th and 18th this year. Today we’re chatting with IOCSF’s current Composer-in-Residence, Michael T Roberts, about all sorts of things, but most importantly his new composi…

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EP410 Freshly Squeezed: Lauren Bydalek 46:12

2+ y ago46:12

46:12

On today’s episode of In Unison we’re continuing our mini-series of conversations with the composers whose works will be premiered on IOCSF’s Freshly Squeezed program on December 4th and 18th this year. We’re chatting with Lauren Bydalek—singer-songwriter turned choral composer, who wrote a wonderful piece called “Pieces of My Heart,” about her own…

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EP409 Freshly Squeezed: Mari Esabel Valverde, Jake Heggie, and Dr. Zanaida Robles 49:56

2+ y ago49:56

49:56

This week’s episode of In Unison is the second installment in our mini-series all about the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco’s return to live performance with our “Freshly Squeezed” program. Originally slated for the Spring 2020 concert series, this program exclusively features the premieres of new works for our Bay Area audience, and …

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EP408 IOCSF’s Freshly Squeezed Program & A Return to Live Singing 32:07

2+ y ago32:07

32:07

This week’s episode of In Unison is the first in a mini-series of sorts, all about the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco’s return to live performance with our “Freshly Squeezed” program. Originally slated for our Spring 2020 concert series, this program exclusively features the premieres of new works for our Bay Area audience, and over …

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EP407 Getting Into Treble: Conductor Martin Benvenuto 52:02

2+ y ago52:02

52:02

Today’s episode is a conversation with Dr. Martin Benvenuto, a treble choir specialist, about his journey from singing in choirs in Argentina, to leading some of the most respected treble choirs in the Bay Area. We will also chat about his new choir, 21V, a professional SSAA chorus which is inclusive of voices of all gender identities. Episode tran…

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EP406 God in the Machine: Rex Isenberg’s Messiahs: False and True with Vince Peterson 1:19:22

2+ y ago1:19:22

1:19:22

Today’s episode is the second installment in our series discussing newly released choral albums, and we’ll be focusing on Choral Chameleon’s new album, Deus Ex Machina. We’re excited to share a fascinating conversation with composer Rex Isenberg about his piece Messiahs: False & True, as well as Choral Chameleon’s Artistic Director (and dear friend…

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EP405 Getting Down to Business: Randy Kikukawa & the Business of the Choral Arts 59:52

2+ y ago59:52

59:52

Today’s episode features a conversation with Randy Kikukawa, a stalwart of the San Francisco choral community for over forty years. Randy’s vast choral experience - including decades with the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus and the GAPA Men’s Chorus as a music director, general manager, CFO, CEO, and myriad other roles - make Randy a uniquely qualified ex…

1
EP404 O, Fortuna! David W. Collins of The Soundtrack Show 1:12:44

2+ y ago1:12:44

1:12:44

On today’s episode of In Unison, we’re chatting with David W. Collins. We first became acquainted with David through his own podcast, The Soundtrack Show, where he takes a look at film scores and soundtracks from some of the most popular movies, TV shows, video games and theater pieces of all time, including some of the best choral soundtracks! Epi…

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EP403 Setting Texts at the Intersection of Secular and Sacred: Composer Dale Trumbore 1:12:52

2+ y ago1:12:52

1:12:52

Today on In Unison we’re talking with composer and writer Dale Trumbore about choosing texts, blurring the line between the sacred and the secular, and her idea of a perfectly relaxing evening. We also discuss Choral Chameleon’s newly released recording of Dale’s secular requiem “What Are We Becoming?” Episode transcript Edited by Fausto Daos Music…

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EP402 Sexuality in Song: Composer Nathan Hall’s Choral & Vocal Works 1:11:15

2+ y ago1:11:15

1:11:15

Today on In Unison we’re chatting with composer and friend Nathan Hall about his choral works, and how he weaves themes of nature, sexuality, and intimacy (among others) into his work. We’ll also share three movements of Nathan’s piece, “Go Ahead,” recently recorded by IOCSF, as well as discussing his latest premiere: “Unbound,” a kink opera. Episo…

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EP401 Album Review: America Will Be! by Tonality, with Alexander L. Blake 51:09

2+ y ago51:09

51:09

Today’s episode of In Unison is all about a recently released choral album: America Will Be! by Tonality, with Alexander L. Blake. This is going to be something we do from time to time when a choir we are fans of releases something new. We hope this episode—and others like it—serve as a resource for all you choir nerds out there to find out what’s …

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...Aaaaand we’re back! 1:20

2+ y ago1:20

1:20

We’re back from vacation, tanned and well-rested, and we’ve got a special request, just for you. Episode references Help fund an episode of In Unison Intersection for the Arts Theme Song: Mr. Puffy by Avi Bortnik, arr. by Paul Kim. Performed by DynamicBy Mission: Orange

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EP311 Special Announcements! 4:19

3y ago4:19

4:19

As we wrap up season three of In Unison, we've got some exciting announcements to share with you about what's in store for season four and beyond! Episode transcript Episode references Intersection for the Arts In Unison Podcast Playlist (Spotify) Theme Song: Mr. Puffy by Avi Bortnik, arr. by Paul Kim. Performed by Dynamic…

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EP310 Math Nerd to Music Nerd: Composer Nicholas Weininger 1:23:26

3y ago1:23:26

1:23:26

On today’s episode, we’re chatting with IOCSF’s very own Nicholas Weininger. Nick started off in IOC as a member of the tenor section, but it wasn’t long before his talents as a composer started to emerge. He then went on to become our very first Composer in Residence, and in total, we have performed ten of his works over the years! Episode transcr…

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EP309 3D Recording and Magnetrons: David Bowles of Swineshead Productions 1:21:36

3y ago1:21:36

1:21:36

On this episode of In Unison, we thought we would nerd out about something that is tangentially tied to choral music: recording arts. We’ll be chatting with recording engineer David v.R. Bowles of Swineshead Productions about mic techniques, 3-D audio, and we’ll even get a history lesson about stereo technology, World War II, and something called t…

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EP308 Virtuosic Filipino Composer and Choral Artist Saunder Choi 1:23:59

3y ago1:23:59

1:23:59

This week’s episode features a conversation with LA-based Filipino composer and choral artist Saunder Choi about his journey as a composer, some of the core characteristics of Philippine choral music, the future of music publishing, and even a bit about his favorite street food locales in the L.A. area. Episode transcript Edited by Fausto Daos Musi…

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EP307 Forging a Compositional Path: Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles 1:13:13

3y ago1:13:13

1:13:13

This week, we’re chatting with composer, singer, and chair of the board of LA-based vocal ensemble, Tonality, Dr. Zanaida Robles, about how she discovered her compositional gifts, and what inspires her to write such exceptional and moving choral music. Episode transcript Music excerpts “Kuumba” by Zanaida Robles “Can You See” by Zanaida Robles, per…

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EP306 A Musical Embodiment of Home: Tonality's Alexander Lloyd Blake 1:27:44

3y ago1:27:44

1:27:44

This week is a conversation with composer, music activist, and founding director of L.A.-based vocal ensemble, Tonality, Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake, about forming a choir that is accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive from the ground up—making choral music something everyone can be a part of. Episode transcript Music excerpts (all performance…

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EP305 Powerhouse Community College Choirs: John Knutson of Cuesta College 1:09:43

3y ago1:09:43

1:09:43

This week, we’re in conversation with John Knutson, director of choral music at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA (one of Zane’s alma maters!), about his 20 year tenure at Cuesta and the role of community college programs in furthering choral excellence. Episode transcript Music excerpts “Adam Lay YBounden” by Hubert Bird, performed by Cuesta C…

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EP304 Doox Are A-Changin’: Morgan Baker and the Doox of Yale 1:31:28

3y ago1:31:28

1:31:28

This week we catch up with Yale senior Morgan Baker, the first non-male member to join the Duke’s Men of Yale—now known as the Doox of Yale—to reflect on the group’s transition from an all-male to an all-gender group. Episode transcript Music Excerpts “Lego House”, by Ed Sheeran, arr. Danny Germino-Watnick; PJ Frantz, solo “Toxic”, by Cathy Dennis …

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EP303 Special episode! The light at the end of the COVID tunnel with Dr. Jeremy Faust 52:11

3y ago52:11

52:11

As the choral community begins to consider a post-COVID return to singing, we wanted to take a moment to check in with frontline COVID physician and IOCSF founder, our good friend Dr. Jeremy Faust. We’ll get caught up on the latest with regards to vaccinations, singer safety, and what it’ll take to return to singing in person. Episode transcript Mu…

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EP302 The Divine Feminine: Soprano Michele Kennedy 1:19:35

3y ago1:19:35

1:19:35

This week we catch up with Bay Area native, early music scholar, and soprano Michele Kennedy on everything from her early days singing with the San Francisco Girls Chorus to her triumphant return to the Davies Symphony Hall stage as a soloist. We manage to avoid embarrassing stories from her collegiate a cappella days at Yale (where she sang with G…

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EP301 A Volti Premiere: Pamela Z's Ink 1:20:55

3y ago1:20:55

1:20:55

This week’s episode is a conversation with composer Pamela Z about her new premiere with Volti SF, titled Ink. The composition unfolds in five sonically distinct movements that variously use standard notation, graphic elements, instructions, and rote transmission of sung and spoken vocal material. We also catch up with Volti’s Artistic Director, Bo…

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EP212 Amazing Grace: A Tribute to Grace Hoger Kerr 47:04

3y ago47:04

47:04

This week’s episode is a tribute to a personal hero, gone too soon: Grace Hoger Kerr. Grace was Giacomo’s high school choir teacher who passed away in 2018 at the young age of 54, and to whom he attributes his lifelong love of choral music. We chat with two of Grace’s former students, Barbara Maurer Raniere and Danielle Esposito, about what Grace m…

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EP211 Joy in Resistance: Abby Dobson and Brooke Williams of the Resistance Revival Chorus 1:23:39

3y ago1:23:39

1:23:39

This week, we’re chatting with artists and composers Abby Dobson and Brooke Williams, both members of the Resistance Revival Chorus, about their work with the group and how choirs can affect social change. Episode transcript Music excerpts “This Joy” by Shirley Caesar “Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind Stayed on Freedom)” by Rev. Robert Wesby “All…

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EP210 Shifting Frequencies in Concert Design: Astrid Vang-Pederson and Dopplers 1:17:11

3y ago1:17:11

1:17:11

This week, we chat with Astrid Vang-Pederson, the founder and artistic director of Danish vocal performance ensemble, Dopplers, about everything ranging from the world of a cappella singing to Astrid’s specialty: concert design. Episode transcript Music excerpts Mín Móðir by Eivør Pálsdóttir, performed by Dopplers Take Me Coco, written and performe…

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EP209 Who's watching whom? Mass Observation by Tarik O'Regan 1:22:57

3y ago1:22:57

1:22:57

On this week’s episode of In Unison, we focus our discussion on a specific composition and its premiere performance: the remarkable “Mass Observation” by composer Tarik O’Regan, premiered in 2017 by the University of Michigan Chamber Choir and Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Jerry Blackstone. Episode transcript Music Excerpts Mass Obser…

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EP208 Your colors are like my dreams: Vince Peterson of Choral Chameleon 1:14:37

3y ago1:14:37

1:14:37

This week we chat with Vince Peterson, the director of Choral Chameleon and the Empire City Men’s Chorus, as well as the founder and brilliant mind behind the newly minted Greenhouse Music School. Vince is also the recipient of the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America -- and in this episode, you’ll he…

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EP207 #BlackVoicesMatter: A Pledge of Anti-Racism in Choral Practice 58:17

3y ago58:17

58:17

This week we chat with three of the authors of the Black Voices Matter Pledge: composers Drs. Zanaida S. Robles and Melissa Dunphy, as well as Christie McKinney, Director of Programs at Chorus America. We discuss the details of the pledge, the politics of composing, and breaking the cycle of apathy in combating social change in our choral communiti…

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EP206 Notes that shouldn't be sung: Jeff Gavett and Ekmeles 1:24:31

3y ago1:24:31

1:24:31

Today, we chat with Jeff Gavett of Ekmeles about microtuning and the mathematics of tuning, audio tech, adventurous programming, and their first live performance in over a year. Episode transcript Music excerpts Performed by Ekmeles, live, February 27, 2021 (program notes | donate) “Advice to a Migraineure,”(2020) by Jeff Myers (1977) “i n s t i t …

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EP205 Spring has sprung! The joy of music making with Jake Heggie 1:02:00

3y ago1:02:00

1:02:00

This week we catch up with prolific opera, theater, orchestral, and choral composer (and dear friend of IOCSF), Jake Heggie, about his influences, his latest works, and his excitement about the coming of spring! Episode Transcript Music Excerpts People, by Barbra Streisand, from the album People. Mass in B Minor, MWV 232: Kyrie: Kyrie eleison (Chor…

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EP204 From Star Wars to Drones with Nico Muhly 1:14:26

3y ago1:14:26

1:14:26

Today we chat with celebrated American composer Nico Muhly about everything from Star Wars to drones (no, not that kind), the gamelan, and tons of other fun stuff. Buckle up, kids, it’s going to be a fun ride! Episode Transcript Music Excerpts Gambangan, trad., from Peter Pears: Balinese Ceremonial Music by Thomas Bartlett, Nico Muhly Pemoengkah, t…

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