Chamber Music America's Podcasts Chamber Music America

What are the tools and best practices for creating thoughtful and lasting work? How can we use our talents and platforms to build arts equity that lasts? This episode of CMA Talks, "Confronting Marginalization through the Power of the Creative Life," features a discussion between artists and arts administrators about what's missing in the equity conversation. We also listen to a selection from Amina Figarova’s "If Barrels Could Talk"—the score of which appears in the spring issue of Chamber Music magazine.

The conversation, which has been edited for clarity, was held originally recorded at CMA's 2023 Chicago Chamberfest, held on June 2 at Pianoforte Chicago.

Featured panelists:

- Alejandra Valarino Boyer, Director of Steans Music Institute, Ravinia Festival
- Caitlin Edwards, Violinist and Educator, D-Composed and Ensemble Dal Niente
- Blake-Anthony Johnson, President & CEO, Chicago Sinfonietta
- Jennie Oh Brown, Flutist and Board Member, Chamber Music America (Moderator)

This podcast, and the panel held on June 2, 2023, are presented in partnership with The Wallace Foundation.

Produced for Chamber Music America by Nichole L. Knight and Orchid McRae. Theme music by Orchid McRae.

“If Barrels Could Talk” was created with support from CMA’s New Jazz Works program with generous funding from the Doris Duke Foundation. The recording was provided courtesy of the artist.

In this episode, we speak with Melody Buyukozer Dawkins from Slover Linett Audience Research (https://sloverlinett.com/) on the new qualitative report, “A Place to Be Heard, A Space to Be Held: Black Perspectives on Creativity, Trustworthiness, Welcome, and Well-Being” (https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/pages/a-place-to-be-heard-a-space-to-feel-held-black-perspectives.aspx) The wide-ranging discussion includes background information on the creation and execution of the study as well as key takeaways for ensemble music professionals to use in their own work.

We also listen to a selection from "Pillar III" from Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars performed by Sandbox Percussion.

Program Notes:
The article “Close Listening,” is featured in the Spring 2022 issue of Chamber Music Magazine. Read the article online: https://www.chambermusicamerica.org/close-listening
The score from the featured Pillar III selection is featured in the Summer 2022 issue of Chamber Music Magazine.

Produced for Chamber Music America by Nichole L. Knight and Orchid McRae. Theme music by Orchid McRae.
Melody Buyukozer Dawkins appears courtesy of the Wallace Foundation.
Seven Pillars was created with support from CMA’s Classical Commissioning Program with generous funding from the Mellon Foundation.

In this episode, we hear from pianist, music educator, and researcher, Rod Vester, whose recent article in the Summer 2021 issue of Chamber Music Magazine urges ensembles and organizations not to abandon the racial equity commitments they made during 2020’s public reckoning. He talks about his personal connection to this work, highlights the importance of culture and belonging in D.E.I. initiatives, and gives tangible tips on how we can all know better, do better, and be better.

Program Notes:
Read “The Dangers of Returning to a Monochromatic Arts World” online: https://www.chamber-music.org/mag/2021/summer/index.html?page=28

The term BIPOC is used throughout this episode. It stands for Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color and it is used to center those who have been most severely impacted by systemic racial injustices.

Produced for Chamber Music America by Nichole L. Knight and Orchid McRae
Additional production assistance provided by Anna Nordmoe
Theme music by Orchid McRae

Music featured in this episode:
"It is Well Within My Soul" performed by Rod Vester, hymn by Horatio Spafford, and composed by Philip Bliss. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGoDPZUPJGE

Follow Rod
Instagram | YouTube: @RodVester
Website: www.rodvester.com