“If you’re more curious about each other, maybe you’re more tolerant of each other and there’s greater social harmony. Maybe that’s too lofty, but I hope that people come away with a greater appreciation, and then translate that into their daily interactions.”

Read the full article in the BOSTON GLOBE here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2016/09/21/creating-spotlight-for-black-composers/IlGiFm6PoVWIicXnfCJLxN/story.html

A message from Anthony Green, composer-in-residence of Castle of our Skins:

When Ashleigh Gordon and I started Castle of our Skins, we were embarrassed when we realized how many Black composers we did not know. Composers such as Alvin Singleton, Valerie Capers, Olly Wilson, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Eleanor Alberga, and many others were composers that never came across our collective experiences. And this is where the state of Classical music is at today. Ashe and I grew up performing and studying Classical music in some of the best schools in the USA. Additionally, I am an avid concert-goer, averaging at least 5 concerts and recitals a month during my studies. Yet – despite quality of music, contributions to music, and a myriad of accomplishments – the music and lives of Black composers are typically not studied along with their non-Black counterparts, and soloists and ensembles often overlook the works of Black composers in their programming. On an educational level, name a class that discusses thematic transformation in the work “Troubled Water” by Margaret Bonds, or the use of serialism in the works of Ed Bland. Furthermore, tell me a course that discusses American composers that also includes Black composers? Perhaps they exist, but they are too few. And besides Castle of our Skins and its members, please name 10 soloists and ensembles whose season includes a work by a Black composer?

With that said, the discovery of the life and music of Jeffrey Mumford was truly a soul-soothing gift for Ashleigh and me. On a personal level, I immediately wished that I could have come across Mr. Mumford and his work earlier in my studies. But as the saying goes, “better late than never.” Since reaching out to him, he has been such a mentor and help to us. In a recent interview, he encouraged the current and next generation of African-American and Black composers and performers around the world to create a community and be a voice for change. With Castle of our Skins, Ashleigh and I are doing just that. It is our honor to have our future portrait concert feature the complex, atmospheric compositions of one of our biggest advocates and mentors, Jeffrey Mumford.

In short, thank you, Mr. Mumford, for all of your work and everything that you do. You are truly an inspiration, and I hope that I can one day inspire future generations of composers in the way that you have done!

(Please also read 5 Questions to Jeffrey Mumford on the I CARE IF YOU LISTEN Blog!)

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Hear us 9/24 and join in the excitement!

Tix/dets: www.CastleSkins.org

Sound Energy Trio (minus one) working hard on Jeffrey Mumford’s “8 aspects of appreciation” duo. Don’t miss out on the performance, 9/24 at Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center. More info: www.CastleSkins.org

Get ready for COOS’s “a veil of liquid diamonds” concert 9/24 in Boston! Press Release

Sound the alarms and spread the news! a veil of liquid diamonds is coming to Boston next month!

Excited to have received all the scores for our September 24th Jeffrey Mumford portrait concert in Boston! Even more excited to get underway at learning them this weekend at our Sound Energy retreat in Tanglewood.