2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting...

6
1 For Immediate Release: May 31, 2017 Press Contact: William J. Lackey Vice President of Programs 651.251.2833 [email protected] 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN – The American Composers Forum (ACF) today announced the recipients of this year’s McKnight Fellowships for Composers, funded by The McKnight Foundation. These awards, which include $25,000 in unrestricted funds for each recipient, acknowledge excellence in the field of music composition. The four fellows were chosen from a pool of 55 applicants. In another McKnight funded program, two artists from outside Minnesota have been selected as the McKnight Visiting Composers. Each receives $15,000 to spend a minimum of two months in Minnesota pursuing a self-designed community residency project. This year’s panelists were composer/performers Fang Man (Irmo, SC), Marilyn Shrude (Bowling Green, OH), and Ken Field (Boston, MA). The 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows are: deVon Russell Gray (Saint Paul, MN) Linda Kachelmeier (Saint Paul, MN) Andrea Mazzariello (Northfield, MN) Jake Runestad (Minneapolis, MN) Two artists from outside Minnesota were selected as Visiting Composers. They are: Paul Giess (Philadelphia, PA) Kristin Norderval (New York, NY) About the McKnight Composer Fellows deVon Russell Gray (Saint Paul, MN) https://soundcloud.com/dvrg deVon R. Gray may be the world’s last cultural enigma. The multi-instrumentalist, classically trained composer is as comfortable writing orchestral and operatic works as he is churning out jazz riffs and hip-hop bravado. His breadth of knowledge saturates various instruments, multiple genres, and limitless styles. And he does it all so effortlessly even he is unaware that he’s working. While many creators spend hours perfecting their craft & skills, dVRG, as he is known, envisions the pen and watches the music write itself.

Transcript of 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting...

Page 1: 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting …composersforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017...2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN –

1

For Immediate Release: May 31, 2017 Press Contact: William J. Lackey Vice President of Programs 651.251.2833 [email protected]

2017McKnightComposerFellowsandVisitingComposersAnnounced

ST.PAUL,MN–TheAmericanComposersForum(ACF)todayannouncedtherecipientsofthisyear’sMcKnightFellowshipsforComposers,fundedbyTheMcKnightFoundation.Theseawards,whichinclude$25,000inunrestrictedfundsforeachrecipient,acknowledgeexcellenceinthefieldofmusiccomposition.Thefourfellowswerechosenfromapoolof55applicants.InanotherMcKnight funded program, two artists from outside Minnesota have been selected as theMcKnight Visiting Composers. Each receives $15,000 to spend aminimumof twomonths inMinnesota pursuing a self-designed community residency project. This year’s panelists werecomposer/performersFangMan(Irmo,SC),MarilynShrude(BowlingGreen,OH),andKenField(Boston,MA). The2017McKnightComposerFellowsare:deVonRussellGray(SaintPaul,MN)LindaKachelmeier(SaintPaul,MN)AndreaMazzariello(Northfield,MN)JakeRunestad(Minneapolis,MN)TwoartistsfromoutsideMinnesotawereselectedasVisitingComposers.Theyare:PaulGiess(Philadelphia,PA)KristinNorderval(NewYork,NY) AbouttheMcKnightComposerFellows

deVonRussellGray(SaintPaul,MN)https://soundcloud.com/dvrgdeVon R. Graymay be theworld’s last cultural enigma. Themulti-instrumentalist, classicallytrainedcomposerisascomfortablewritingorchestralandoperaticworksasheischurningoutjazzriffsandhip-hopbravado.Hisbreadthofknowledgesaturatesvariousinstruments,multiplegenres,andlimitlessstyles.Andhedoesitallsoeffortlesslyevenheisunawarethathe’sworking.Whilemanycreatorsspendhoursperfectingtheircraft&skills,dVRG,asheisknown,envisionsthepenandwatchesthemusicwriteitself.

Page 2: 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting …composersforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017...2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN –

2

Inadditiontoperforming,Graycollaborateswithartists(mostlymusicians)toproduceimpactfuljourneys of socially conscious sound and art. Lending his expertise to several different local,

regional, and international performingensembleshe'sfortunatetohavesharedstagesand screens with folks including: Heiruspecs,Brother Ali, Chastity Brown, Waayaha Cusub,andmanymore.A 2015 recipient of a Cedar Cultural Centercommission,dVRGpennedanewopusentitledFractious Child (string 4tet); a work whichattempts to juxtapose the insecurity and thebeauty of life for black people in America.

Redefiningversatility,dVRGdrawsinspirationfromanenviablerecordcollection,fromClaudioMonteverdi to ShuggieOtis, and communicates through nuanced sounds; amusical polyglotdisguisedasalonestar…readytosupernova.

LindaKachelmeier(SaintPaul,MN)http://www.lindakachelmeier.com/LindaKachelmeier isacomposer, conductor,andprofessional singerbased inSaintPaul.Herspecial passion is for choral music and art song because of their unique capacity to conveyemotionthroughthevoice.Sheisinterestedinthelineandcurveofmelody,andinrich,rhythmictexturesandlayers.Hervastexperienceasasingerandchoralconductor has made her a uniquely sensitive composer forvoice, writing for children, professionals, and all levels inbetween.Fromtheindividuals’soundsshestrivestocreatea“companyofvoices,”incorporatingthedistinctqualitiesofthesingers into an orchestral texture. Her influences are varied,frommedieval chant and polyphony to gospel and folk. Hermusichasbeendescribedasausterebutalsolusciousandfun;sheembracesthatseemingcontradiction.Linda has composed more than forty works and has beenawarded grants sponsored by the Jerome Foundation, theMetropolitanRegionalArtsCouncil, theMinnesotaStateArtsBoard,andtwoFaithPartnersresidencies.HerworkhasbeencommissionedandperformedbyTheRoseEnsemble,Cantus,and The Singers; by the tiny Village Church in downtownMilwaukeeandlargeAll-StateHonorchoirsinMinnesota,NorthDakota,andNebraska;andbythe vibrant community choirs Calliope Women’s Chorus and One Voice Mixed Chorus. HercompositionshavebeenperformedattheSchubertClubandtheBasilicaofSt.MaryintheTwinCities, the Getty Art Museum and Carnegie Hall on the coasts, as well as in many schoolgymnasiumsandsmallchurches.

Page 3: 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting …composersforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017...2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN –

3

AndreaMazzariello(Northfield,MN)http://www.andreamazzariello.com/AndreaMazzariello (b.1978) is a composer,performer,writer, and teacher.Heworksat theintersectionsoftextandsound,popularandartmusic,traditionalplayingtechniqueandone-man-band-inspiredperformancephysiology.

Hisconcertmusichasbeenperformedbyleadingcontemporarymusicensembles,includingSōPercussion,MobiusPercussion,NOWEnsemble,andNewspeak,andpresentedatCarnegieHall,

NationalSawdust,andSanFrancisco’sCenterforNewMusic, amongmanyothers. SEAMUSandNew Amsterdam Records have releasedrecordingsofhiselectronicandchambermusic.Active as a performer, he plays a unique andcontinually evolving instrumental setup,including keyboard, drum set, voice, andelectronics.HehascontributedessaystoAlbanyRecords, the Baryshnikov Arts Center Storiesseries, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’sLiquid Music blog, and Princeton University

Press’ forthcomingThePocket Instructor:Writing. TheOperating Systemwill publishhis firstbook,OneMoreRevolution,in2017.

He completed his Ph.D. in Music Composition at Princeton University, writing on the vinylresurgenceanditsconnectiontoourideasofphysicalityandabstractioninmusicanalysis,andthen joined the faculty of the PrincetonWriting Program,where he taught several first-yearmusic-centered writing seminars. Currently he teaches composition, music technology, andmusic fundamentals as Visiting Assistant Professor ofMusic at Carleton College, directs thecompositionprogramat the SōPercussion Summer Institute, and runsOneMoreRevolutionRecords.JakeRunestad(Minneapolis,MN)http://jakerunestad.com/Jake Runestad is an award-winning andfrequently-performed composer of “highlyimaginative” (Baltimore Sun) and “stirring anduplifting” (Miami Herald) musical works. Havingcollaborated with leading ensembles andorganizations around the world, Jake has aversatile and prolific career creating works fororchestra, wind ensemble, chorus, chamberensembles, and opera. His visceral music andcharismatic personality have fostered a busyscheduleofcommissions,residencies,workshops,and speaking engagements, enabling him to be one of the youngest full-time, independentcomposers in the world. He has received commissions and performances fromWashingtonNationalOpera,theDallasSymphonyOrchestra,theLouisianaPhilharmonicOrchestra,theSantaFeDesertChorale,SeraphicFire,theNetherlandsRadioChoir,thePhilippineMadrigalSingers,

Page 4: 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting …composersforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017...2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN –

4

VocalEssence,TheSingers,CraigHellaJohnsonandConspirare,andmanymore.Considereda“choralrockstar”byAmericanPublicMedia,Jakeisoneofthemostfrequentlyperformedandcommissionedcomposersof choralmusic,having“…aparticularknack formarryingpowerfulmusic to texts that speak tosomeof themostpressingandmoving issuesofour time” (StarTribune).JakeRunestadholdsaMaster’sdegreeincompositionfromthePeabodyConservatoryoftheJohnsHopkinsUniversitywherehestudiedwithPulitzerPrize-winningcomposerKevinPuts. He also received a life-changingmentorship from acclaimed composer Libby Larsen. Anative of Rockford, IL,Mr. Runestad is currently based inMinneapolis,MN and hismusic ispublishedbyJRMusic.Findoutmoreat:JakeRunestad.comAbouttheMcKnightVisitingComposersPaulGiess(Philadelphia,PA)http://www.paulgiessmusic.com/PaulGiess isaversatile trumpetplayer,composer,andeducator fromPhiladelphia,PA. PaulearnedaMasterofMusicfromLouisianaStateUniversityandaBachelorofMusic,cumlaude,fromJamesMadisonUniversity.PaulasstudiedwithnotablemusiciansincludingRalphAlessi,BrianShaw,JoeMagnarelli,ChrisCarillo,BillGrimesandJimKluesner.Paulreleasedhisdebutjazzalbum"USuiteU"inFebruaryof2015.PauliscurrentlyactiveinmultipleensemblesinthePhiladelphiaareaincluding,BittersandRyeJazzBand,TheAbstractTruth,Dr.B'sGrooveandTheSofaKings.Pauliscurrentlyemployedby

The Center for Creative Works in Wynnewoodwhere he runs amusic program for adultswithdisabilities. Paul also teaches at the MerideeWinter's School of Music and Philadelphia ClefClubofJazz.AttheClefClubPaulalsoservesasanEducationConsultant to theArtisticDirector,LovettHines. In Januaryof2015Paul servedasthemusicaldirectorforanoriginaltheaterwork,“AMERICANA”, performed in New Orleans. InDecemberof2015PaulwasthetrumpetsoloistintheBarrymoreawardingwinningperformanceof

themusical,BlackNativity,whichproducedbyTheaterHorizoninNorristown.Paulisalsoactivewith Outside Sound, a mixed-media project that takes artwork created by adults withdevelopmentaldisabilitiesandsetsittooriginalmusic.Paulisalsoexcitedtoannouncethathiscomposition, "Prayer forMimi",will be included in thePhiladelphiaRealBook,whichwill bepublishedinthespringof2017.Paul Giess will collaborate with a program, Midwest Special Services, to produce a concertfeaturingtheartistswhoattendtheirprogram.PaulwillworkwithMidwestSpecialServices'dayprogramfortwomonthsengagingdirectlywiththeirartiststodeveloptheirmusicalabilities and to prepare them for thefinalperformance.Withhisexperiencemakingmusicwithpeoplewithdisabilities,Paulbelievesthathewillbeabletoempowerthiscommunity’svoicethroughmusicmaking.

Page 5: 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting …composersforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017...2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN –

5

ThisprojectwillserveartistsfromMSSwhohavebeenselectedbasedontheirexpressedinterestinmusic.MSSservesindividualswithavarietyofintellectualandphysicaldisabilitiesranginginagefrom21to80yearsoldwithvaryinglevelsofexperiencewithmusic.

KristinNorderval(NewYork,NY)http://kristinnorderval.org/KristinNordervalisacomposerandsingerwhohasspecializedindevelopingnewworksforvoice,cross-disciplinarywork,andworksusinginteractivetechnology.Herfirstfull-lengthopera-TheTrials of Patricia Isasa for 6 soloists, SATB choir, 7 instrumentalists and electronics - wascommissioned by Artxchange (Oslo) and premiered at the Monument National Theater inMontrealinMay,2016,inaChantsLibresproductionwithNordervalsingingoneoftheleadroles.TheTrialsofPatriciaIsasawasawardedQuebec´sOPUSprizeintwocategories:BestproductioninMontrealin2016,andBestcontemporarymusicproductionin2016.Other commissions have included works for the Ultima Festival (Oslo), Den Anden Opera(Copenhagen), jill sigman/thinkdance (New York) and the Parthenia viol consort (New York).Norderval'screditsasasopranosoloist includeperformances with the Oslo Sinfonietta, thePhilip Glass Ensemble, Netherlands DanceTheater,andtheSanFranciscoSymphony.A 2005 recipient of the Henry Cowell AwardfromtheAmericanMusicCenter,andtwo-timerecipient of the Norwegian Artist’s Stipend,KristinNordervalhasalsoreceivedsupportfromthe Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer,Harvestworks, and Rensselaer PolytechnicInstitute. Her compositions are featured on Deep Listening, Koch International, EvergladeRecords, and Losen Records. Her solo CD -Aural Histories (post-ambient arias for voice andelectronics)-waslistedbyTheNewYorker’sclassicalmusiccriticAlexRossasoneof“TenNotableClassicalMusicRecordingsof2012”.MoreinformationonKristinNordervalcanbefoundathttp://kristinnorderval.orgKristinNordervalwillworkinPelicanRapidsandSt.Cloudwithgroupsofyoungwomenaged15-25,fromdiverseethnicbackgrounds(primarilySomali,HispanicandScandinavianbackground)for a series of workshops in vocal improvisation, sound recording, text generation andcollaborativecompositionthatwouldhelpthemarticulatehopesanddreamsforthemselvesandtheir communities. The workshops will introduce participants to various improvisationtechniques, aswell as to some basics of sound-art and electronicmusic, including recordingambientsoundandspokenword,andusingsimplelo-techaudioprocessingandplaybacktoimprovise with both text and found sounds. The workshops would include elements of thepracticesofDeepListeningasdevelopedbyPaulineOliveros,whichKristinhasstudiedand iscertifiedtoteach,andtheywouldleadtothecreationoftext-basedscoresthattheyoungwomencouldperformattheendoftheworkshops.Asoundinstallationmightalsobeoneoftheendresults,dependingonthewishesoftheparticipantsandtheprogressoftheworkshops.

Page 6: 2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting …composersforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017...2017 McKnight Composer Fellows and Visiting Composers Announced ST. PAUL, MN –

6

AbouttheMcKnightArtistFellowshipProgramsFoundedonthebeliefthatMinnesotathriveswhenitsartiststhrive,TheMcKnightFoundation’sartsprogramisoneoftheoldestand largestof itskind inthecountry.Supportfor individualworkingMinnesotaartistshasbeenacornerstoneoftheprogramsinceitbeganin1981.TheMcKnightArtistFellowshipsProgramprovidesannual,unrestrictedcashawardstooutstandingmid-careerMinnesotaartistsin10differentcreativedisciplines.Programpartnerorganizationsadministerthefellowshipsandstructurethemtorespondtotheuniquechallengesofdifferentdisciplines. Currently the foundation contributes about $1.7million per year to its statewidefellowships.AbouttheAmericanComposersForumTheAmericanComposers Forum is committed to supporting composers anddevelopingnewmarkets for their music. Through granting, commissioning, and performance programs, ACFprovidescomposersatallstagesoftheircareerswithvaluableresourcesforprofessionalandartistic development. By linking communitieswith composers and performers, ACF fosters ademand for new music, enriches communities, and helps develop the next generation ofcomposers,musicians,andmusicpatrons.Founded in 1973 as theMinnesota Composers Forum, the organization has grown from aninnovativeregional initiative intooneofthenation'spremiercomposerserviceorganizations.ACFprogramming reaches composers and communities in all 50 states andhelps composersengage communities with music as a source of inspiration, self-reflection, and delight. Thisengagement takes the form of groundbreaking composer residencies, designed to engagecommunities inthecreativeprocessandbroadenthecontexts inwhichnewmusic iswritten,performed,andheard. Itmeans innovativeapproachestoteachingmusicwhilenurturingthenextgenerationofcomposers,performers,andaudiences.ACFsupportscomposers'artisticandprofessional growth through a rich variety of programs and services, including commissions,performances, readings, and fellowships. 2,000members include composers andperformers,presenters and organizations that share ACF's goals, and individuals and institutionswith aninterestinsupportingnewmusic.Memberscomefrombothurbanandruralareas;theyworkinvirtuallyeverymusicalgenre,includingorchestralandchambermusic,worldmusic,operaandmusictheater,jazzandimprovisationalmusic,electronicandelectro-acousticmusic,andsoundart.

###