Hello Everyone,
If you have not already, I encourage you to use the following link to listen to the most recent episode of the TCC Podcast, featuring the composer Quinn Mason and his piece A Joyous Trilogy.
https://www.tccollaboration.com/29-a-joyous-trilogy-quinn-mason/
Returning to the world of orchestral music was a wonderful time, and certainly because of the exemplary piece that is A Joyous Trilogy. As we talked about in the episode, in many ways Quinn is living the composer dream. Widely performed and programmed, well known, frequent long-term collaborations with large ensembles, universities and conductors; truly the near pinnacle of the free-lance life. That is not all to say that it is somehow a smooth ride, however, as Quinn discussed in the episode the hustle is difficult, long, and does not stop. One thing that I really appreciated in the episode is Quinn’s consistent focus and dedication towards the practice of collaboration. This is something that I also value, if you couldn’t tell from the podcast title, and is also a facet of music life that I have come to appreciate even more in the past few years.
I believe it was in the first roundtable episode, Collaboration in Reality, that this was said, but there is a strong irony in the fabled, mythical view of a composer being a secluded, dark academia creative. Locked away in the depths of intellect and creativity, maybe even pained by their creations and creative process (Brahms, Mahler, Beethoven, Shostakovich, R. Schumann, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, etc., you get the point). Sure, every creator, just as every person, has afflictions, but the mythical element of “the composer” throughout the classical canon is an air that, in reality, is hardly from the truth. To be a successful composer today, or hell even a successful academic, there is nothing “secluded” about it. It’s meeting people, getting to know them, playing with them, writing with them, creating communities of like-minded friends and colleagues, and all of the other permutations of what collaboration means. I would say that most who are in the field, such as myself or Quinn, would find any of what has been said here as ground-breaking, but I believe that in undergraduate and non-academic musical circles there is still this odd mythology. Quinn, in many facets, proves that collaboration is the key, with other composers, performers, conductors, and ensembles, your interactions and acts all matter.
A very special thank you again to Quinn Mason for coming back onto the podcast and for sharing his piece A Joyous Trilogy.
I am excited to preview that the next episode of the TCC Podcast is going to be a first of its kind, featuring the artist Purple Kloud and tracks from his most recent album, HUGO. I am especially excited for this episode, as the element of being “first of its kind” is that Purple Kloud is a rap artist. That might be the easiest way to describe his music, but, as will be heard in the episode, it is not as simple as that. Influences from jazz, funk, R&B, and other genres, Purple Kloud’s musical influences are broad, something we certainly discuss during the episode. As I look further into my own personal research and study in the world of hip hop and rap, I am incredibly excited to feature this music on the podcast, and I hope to share more music from this genre and others not typically associated with “compositional” practice. There’s a lot that I could preview for the episode, but I do not want to spoil the eclectic combination of topics that we discuss. If you are really itching for more Purple Kloud from the music previewed on the social media trailer, below is the link to the Bandcamp page for HUGO, available for streaming and digital purchase. Otherwise, for more info you will have to wait for the episode release this coming Monday, you won’t want to miss it!
https://4bitsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hugo
As a quick personal announcement, last weekend I just got engaged! This is partially the reason why the social media content slagged last week (also it being the first week of spring classes), but it is certainly a happy time for myself. Now it’s time for conferences, comprehensive exams, final piano exams, Ph.D. interviews, skills tests, acceptances, waitlists, rejections, and possibly moving across the country. Light stuff! Regardless, I have a handful of interviews scheduled months out and a few already recorded, hope you all continue to enjoy and support the upcoming content!
Again, don’t forget to listen to the most previous episode if you missed it, featuring the composer Quinn Mason. Make sure to follow our social media links below and the podcast streaming platform of your choice to keep up-to-date on new episodes and blog posts from the TCC. Additionally, set your calendar and or streaming subscriptions to this coming Monday, January 20th, for the episode featuring Purple Kloud and his tracks from HUGO. You won’t want to miss it, and we’ll see you there!
- Aaron
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