We all know that the pandemic has been very difficult for the arts: public performances were cancelled, singers, and anyone who played a brass or woodwind instrument were restricted from rehearsals and concerts, and much more. We artists were hurting!

In September, 2020, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra decided to start a project that would allow artists to continue to create within the restrictions put in place to reduce contagion: Lowell Threads. Paying homage to Lowell's textile traditions,  Lowell Threads is a venture to commission new works around a certain genre. The idea was to engage as many creative forces as possible, providing creative relief to composers, work for players, and small economic relief for everyone. We have now completed one performance and one recording around this idea to great success, and we need your help for our next chapter.

Our original Lowell Threads installment was a performance that revolved around the Mozart flute quartets, and commissioned works from three composers. It was such a success, that we decided to go bigger in scope, and release an album: we decided to record all the five symphonies for small ensembles that French composer Darius Milhaud wrote between 1917 and 1922, and asked Brittney Benton, Yoko Nakatani, Quinn Mason, and Kevin L. Scott to write companion works to four of the five Milhaud pieces.

These pieces are beyond fantastic! We had our first recording session in February 2021, and through last year, we recorded everything, little by little. Our last recording session was January 2022.

We are hoping to add to the success of our previous album, The Suite, which received wide acclaim and international radio play, presenting the music of Anthony R. Green and José Luis Elizondo to a wide audience.

Please help us with what you can to cover the expenses of sending the music to the recording label. We have already recorded all nine works, and we are working on editing and mastering. Your contribution could help promote the careers of incredibly talented living composers, specially at a time when the pandemic is still making performances difficult. You can get some very nice rewards depending on your contribution amount, but know that no contribution is too small: you wouldn't imagine all the good you're doing!

Thanks for your consideration!

P.S.: If you have read this far, you deserve to hear all the Milhaud symphonies: click and enjoy!