Chamber Music America, the national network for ensemble music professionals, develops, supports, and strengthens the chamber music field with a membership including musicians, ensembles, presenters, artist managers, educators, music businesses, and advocates of ensemble music, CMA welcomes members representing a wide range of musical styles and traditions.
CMA Talks series receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Renate Rohlfing and Olivia Cosío discuss the Sounds of Houston project, which uses sonic memoirs to preserve narratives related to climate change in Houston communities, in an interview with Jenny Ouellette.
26 Jun 2024
CMA Talks: Setting the Record Straight on Streaming
In the past decade, streaming has erupted as a preferred method of music listening for hundreds of millions of people. Under this model, music has never been cheaper or easier to access, but many argue independent musicians have been left out of the equation.
This episode discusses the work of two organizations that aim to coalesce musicians towards collective action, engage in legislative pushes, and seek a more equitable music industry. CMA conducted interviews with United Musicians and Allied Workers’ Zack Nestel-Patt and Music Workers Alliance’s Aaron Edgcomb about streaming, current initiatives and more. Also featured is Thistle Jemison, who shares thoughts about the state of the industry, streaming, and what it has meant for her career as a musician.
Music Workers Alliance: musicworkersalliance.org
United Musicians and Allied Workers: weareumaw.org
Thistle Jemison: musicofthistle.com
This episode of CMA Talks is supported by the Wallace Foundation:
wallacefoundation.org
Produced for Chamber Music America by Orchid McRae
Hosted by Larry Blumenfeld
Guests: Aaron Edgcomb, Zack Nestel-Patt, Thistle Jemison
Music by Orchid McRae
Cover Art by Ben Schonhorn
31 Jul 2023
CMA Talks: Confronting Marginalization through the Power of the Creative Life
What are the tools and best practices for creating thoughtful and lasting work? How can we use our talents and platforms to build arts equity that lasts? This episode of CMA Talks, "Confronting Marginalization through the Power of the Creative Life," features a discussion between artists and arts administrators about what's missing in the equity conversation. We also listen to a selection from Amina Figarova’s "If Barrels Could Talk"—the score of which appears in the spring issue of Chamber Music magazine.
The conversation, which has been edited for clarity, was held originally recorded at CMA's 2023 Chicago Chamberfest, held on June 2 at Pianoforte Chicago.
Featured panelists:
- Alejandra Valarino Boyer, Director of Steans Music Institute, Ravinia Festival
- Caitlin Edwards, Violinist and Educator, D-Composed and Ensemble Dal Niente
- Blake-Anthony Johnson, President & CEO, Chicago Sinfonietta
- Jennie Oh Brown, Flutist and Board Member, Chamber Music America (Moderator)
This podcast, and the panel held on June 2, 2023, are presented in partnership with The Wallace Foundation.
Produced for Chamber Music America by Nichole L. Knight and Orchid McRae. Theme music by Orchid McRae.
“If Barrels Could Talk” was created with support from CMA’s New Jazz Works program with generous funding from the Doris Duke Foundation. The recording was provided courtesy of the artist.
20 Jul 2022
CMA Talks Season 3, Episode 2: Close Listening
In this episode, we speak with Melody Buyukozer Dawkins from Slover Linett Audience Research (https://sloverlinett.com/) on the new qualitative report, “A Place to Be Heard, A Space to Be Held: Black Perspectives on Creativity, Trustworthiness, Welcome, and Well-Being” (https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/pages/a-place-to-be-heard-a-space-to-feel-held-black-perspectives.aspx) The wide-ranging discussion includes background information on the creation and execution of the study as well as key takeaways for ensemble music professionals to use in their own work.
We also listen to a selection from "Pillar III" from Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars performed by Sandbox Percussion.
Program Notes:
The article “Close Listening,” is featured in the Spring 2022 issue of Chamber Music Magazine. Read the article online: https://www.chambermusicamerica.org/close-listening
The score from the featured Pillar III selection is featured in the Summer 2022 issue of Chamber Music Magazine.
Produced for Chamber Music America by Nichole L. Knight and Orchid McRae. Theme music by Orchid McRae.
Melody Buyukozer Dawkins appears courtesy of the Wallace Foundation.
Seven Pillars was created with support from CMA’s Classical Commissioning Program with generous funding from the Mellon Foundation.
1 Oct 2021
CMA Talks Season 3, Ep. 1: The Dangers of Returning to a Monochromatic Arts World
In this episode, we hear from pianist, music educator, and researcher, Rod Vester, whose recent article in the Summer 2021 issue of Chamber Music Magazine urges ensembles and organizations not to abandon the racial equity commitments they made during 2020’s public reckoning. He talks about his personal connection to this work, highlights the importance of culture and belonging in D.E.I. initiatives, and gives tangible tips on how we can all know better, do better, and be better.
Program Notes:
Read “The Dangers of Returning to a Monochromatic Arts World” online: https://www.chamber-music.org/mag/2021/summer/index.html?page=28
The term BIPOC is used throughout this episode. It stands for Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color and it is used to center those who have been most severely impacted by systemic racial injustices.
Produced for Chamber Music America by Nichole L. Knight and Orchid McRae
Additional production assistance provided by Anna Nordmoe
Theme music by Orchid McRae
Music featured in this episode:
"It is Well Within My Soul" performed by Rod Vester, hymn by Horatio Spafford, and composed by Philip Bliss. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGoDPZUPJGE
Follow Rod
Instagram | YouTube: @RodVester
Website: www.rodvester.com
16 Dec 2019
CMA Talks: A Conversation with Joan Tower
This episode features a conversation between Chamber Music America CEO, Margaret M. Lioi, and composer, pianist, and educator Joan Tower. Listen in as they discuss Tower's life and work that has made her one of the most important American composers living today.
Joan Tower will receive the Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award Visionary Award as part of CMA’s 2020 Conference, Music, Equity, and Our Future. For more information, visit http://conference.chamber-music.org.
Music featured in this podcast:
Joan Tower "Night Fields" performed by participants in the Britt Institute's String Quartet Academy.
18 Nov 2019
CMA Talks: A Conversation with Samora Pinderhughes
This episode features a conversation between Chamber Music America CEO, Margaret M. Lioi, and pianist, composer, and vocalist Samora Pinderhughes. Listen in as they cover a wide range of topics including Samora’s musical history, mentors, and social justice activism.
Samora will receive CMA’s Visionary Award as part of CMA’s 2020 Conference, Music, Equity, and Our Future. For more information, visit http://conference.chamber-music.org.
Music featured in this podcast:
"Transformation" from The Transformations Suite by Samora Pinderhughes https://samorapinderhughes.bandcamp.com/album/the-transformations-suite
"Inertia" featuring Jack DeBoe by Samora Pinderhughes
https://samorapinderhughes.bandcamp.com/track/inertia-ft-jack-deboe
30 Sept 2019
CMA Talks: Tools for Mindfulness with Angela Myles Beeching
In this episode, we’ll hear from Angela Myles Beeching, a music career coach who teaches musicians how to get more of their best work out into the world. She is the former director of career and entrepreneurship programs at Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University, and New England Conservatory. She writes the “Angela Answers” column in CMA’s Chamber Music magazine. The third edition of her book, "Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music," will be released later this year. Listen in as she explains the value of mindfulness for musicians and explains how to use mindset tools to help artists do their best work.
To learn more, visit: https://angelabeeching.com/
Have a question about how to move forward in your professional or creative life? Email angelaanswers@chamber-music.org.
Learn more by visiting our Audience Engagement Resource page: www.chamber-music.org/audience-engagement
Check out our podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/05IUVxbpj117EcQnZAJZ4Q?si=7M3WoEDvSdm8_QZMP1pleA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chamber-music-americas-podcasts/id1373815844
21 Jun 2019
CMA Talks: Educational Outreach and Youth-Centered Programming
In this episode, we listen to part of Zara Lawler’s March 2018 First Tuesday session, Strategies for Educational Outreach and Youth Centered Programming. Flutist Zara Lawler, specializes in interdisciplinary collaborations and engaging performances for young audiences. A grantee of CMA’s Residency Partnership Program, Lawler discusses how to develop interactive youth-centered performances as well as strategies for meaningful, mutually-beneficial relationships with education partners.
Session handout: https://www.chamber-music.org/pdf/youth-centered-programming.pdf
15 Apr 2019
CMA Talks: Audience Research on a Budget Part 1
In part one of our two part podcast featuring Bob Harlow, we’ll listen to selections from his 2019 CMA Conference session, Audience Building on a Budget. Market Researcher Bob Harlow has spent the last two decades helping arts organizations, foundations, and corporations understand how different audiences think and make decisions. He currently leads his own market research organization based in New York City. Listen-in as he discusses the use of focus groups by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston with conference attendees.
CMA’s National Conference receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Additional support for this podcast was provided by the Wallace Foundation’s "Building Audiences for the Arts" initiative.
https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/building-audiences-for-the-arts/pages/default.aspx
Learn more by visiting our Audience Engagement Resource page: www.chamber-music.org/audience-engagement
15 Apr 2019
CMA Talks: Audience Research on a Budget Part 2
In part two of our podcast with Bob Harlow we’ll listen to selections from his 2019 CMA Conference session, Audience Building on a Budget. Market Researcher Bob Harlow has spent the last two decades helping arts organizations, foundations, and corporations understand how different audiences think and make decisions. He currently leads his own market research organization based in New York City. Listen-in as he addresses conference attendees and discusses the unique uses of focus groups by Orchestra X and the Minnesota Opera.
To learn more about Bob Harlow visit www.bobharlow.com
CMA’s National Conference receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Additional support for this podcast was provided by the Wallace Foundation’s "Building Audiences for the Arts" initiative.
www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-ce…default.aspx.
Learn more by visiting our Audience Engagement Resource page: www.chamber-music.org/audience-engagement
7 Sept 2018
CMA Talks: Crowdfunding Your Artistic Practice
Theresa Hubbard, associate director for program operations at Fractured Atlas, explores the benefits and tools of crowdfunding sites. Find out how to make crowdfunding an effective fundraising tool, and how to turn your donors into your audience.
2 Jul 2018
CMA Talks: Understanding Artist Management
Every ensemble—from young or emerging to well-established performers and educators— ponders artist management. Should an ensemble seek a large, well-known agency? Is self-management a better alternative? When is the appropriate time to look for management? Experienced artist manager Nancy Christensen of Christensen Arts will discuss these topics and more in this episode of CMA Talks: Understanding Artist Management.
11 Jun 2018
CMA Talks: Social Action Through Music
In this episode of CMA Talks, Kaori Fujii, founder & president of Music Beyond, offers a practical framework for integrating art and social action. She discusses where to begin, when to seek advice, how to develop your personal narrative and mission, and different methods for supporting your goals—including fundraising, sponsorship, and community partners.
21 May 2018
CMA Talks: Improving Marketing Outcomes Through A/B Testing
In this episode, we listen back to Olivia Marlowe-Giovetti's May 2018 First Tuesday session on Improving Marketing Outcomes with A/B Testing.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Wallace Foundation’s Building Audiences for the Arts initiative.
Learn more by visiting our Audience Engagement Resource page: https://www.chamber-music.org/audience-engagement
12 Apr 2018
CMA Talks: Strategy Building In Your Local Community
Listen as Donna Walker-Kuhne (President, Walker Communications Group) discusses practical, proven strategies for building audiences that better reflect the diversity of your local community.
To learn more about Donna Walker-Kuhne and Walker International Communications Group Inc., visit www.walkercommunicationsgroup.com .
https://vimeo.com/152711011
CMA’s National Conference receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Additional support for this podcast was provided by the Wallace Foundation’s "Building Audiences for the Arts" initiative.
https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/building-audiences-for-the-arts/Pages/default.aspx.
Learn more by visiting our Audience Engagement Resource page: www.chamber-music.org/audience-engagement
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