Chamber Music America's Podcasts

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.

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.

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

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.

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