Nodality Music’s first educational event is here, plus other news
As we mentioned back in the fall, both Zach and Nick have been expanding Nodality’s educational and community work with the Curtis Institute. Zach specifically has been working with students both from Curtis and Carver High School of Engineering and Science to explore a multitude of connections between music and environmentalism. Next week, these students will have a chance to share their work with a wider audience. See below:
Upcycled Music
A musical celebration of our environment and meditation on how Philadelphia can build a more sustainable community.
March 30th, 6:15pm-7:00pm
The Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
On March 30th, Carver Honors Music students will present an environmental program of music and artworks in front of the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall. Carver musicians will perform side-by-side with musicians from the Curtis Institute of Music right before the world premiere of John Luther Adams’ Vespers of the Blessed Earth, performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra with the vocal ensemble, The Crossing. Our program will include our very own original composition, written specially for us by Ira Mowitz: Carver Climate Upcycle for orchestra.
Artworks inspired by the evening’s musical selections and “upcycled instruments,” all made by Carver students, will be featured on the program. These instruments, designed by Dr. Basu’s Environmental Studies class, will include QR codes linked to digital slideshows telling the story of each instrument’s life, from the extraction of its natural resources through the disposal of the materials that these students upcycled* into musical instruments. Audience members will be invited to listen, ponder our society’s impact on the natural world, and even join in the music-making using these instruments. In between musical selections, Carver and Curtis musicians will share their thoughts on how we can work towards a more sustainable society in our schools and in Philadelphia, highlighting the work of the Sunrise Movement Green New Deal for Schools.
*Upcycle: to creatively transform waste materials and unwanted objects into products with a new purpose
In other news, Nick recently had premieres across the US of his nerd-tastic ode to Star Trek, Darmok & Jalad, performed by musicians from Curtis on Tour. He wrote it for the same ensemble as Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat, which they performed with narrator John de Lancie – better known by many a Trekkie as "Q" from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Also, if you're looking for more music, or can’t catch us on the 30th, check out this new program that Zach is performing with pianist Sahun Hong as part of ensemble132's e132/Duos initiative at New York City's Gotham Arts on Friday, March 31st (yes, the next evening).
Look out for more Spring news soon, including announcements about our upcoming digital series with Guarneri Hall and more information about Nodality’s new educational work. Thanks for checking in!