This project proposes to add to an emerging arts community within the state of Colorado, and reflect the population of the state itself, while lowering barriers to entry for cultural events of this sort. To achieve this, I will record an album of new chamber music, creating accompanying visual media and audience participation opportunities, and offer live ensemble performances in non-traditional venues throughout Colorado.
The music will utilize varying combinations of violin, cello, electric guitar, and marimba, with auxiliary musicians on flute, clarinets, and piano. The video will further illuminate non-musical themes within each piece of music. As opposed to a typical concert of “classical” music, the ensemble will interact with audiences between pieces, and demonstrate key musical motifs in each upcoming piece, pulling back the proverbial curtain and educating the audience so that they can engage more fully in the experience. This will serve to support community members who do not view themselves as art aficionados, and enable them to communicate with their communities more confidently about the work. In two pieces, audiences will be invited to recite excerpts of poetry and a well-known chant that inspired portions of the works. The goal of this facet of the performance is to challenge the dichotomy of performer/audience and invite audience members to view themselves as artists as well. Audience members will also have the chance to purchase a recorded version of the multimedia work, with the goal of sharing it with others who may enjoy it but are not able to attend the live performance. All of these decisions will help to continue building a more robust arts community within Colorado.