"Being a composer and new music enthusiast is a rare and lonely thing in Waco, Texas, where gospel hymns and country music reign as music's main cultural expression. But there is a small collective of us avant-garde-concert-music-loving-folks out in west Texas, and we constantly exchange about what pieces we're hearing, what we're writing, what is happening in the "new music" world. I feel especially privileged with my experience as an intern at the Ojai Music Festival this past summer, because I've got a unique outside experience to share. The OMF 2009 was a front row seat to watching how this world of contemporary musicians, contemporary composers and contemporary loving audiences come together to experience fantastic art, the kind future "history of twenty-first-century music" textbooks will be talking about.
In our efforts to begin a new music ensemble at Baylor University, my percussionist friend and I have looked towards OMF's guests eighth blackbird as a model. What's more, having worked with them this summer I have even been in contact with them a few times to ask about arrangements of Bresnick pieces, etc. They are so kind to respond quickly, despite their crazy schedules, and I'm grateful that I met them and that they value giving a few words to a young musician now and then.
My own performing and composing these past 7 months has also been encouraged towards a new professionalism since I experienced that of the musicians in the festival. The collaborative mindset, the musicality and preparedness with which they approached the works, the time and dedication offered: these things continue to inspire me now. I remember David Gordon's "Quasi Sinfonia" or Steven Mackey's guitar playing in "Slide", eighth blackbird's consistently fresh expression of contemporary (and not so contemporary, i.e. Pierrot Lunaire) literature, and I am inspired daily to continue pursuing today's world of aural art.
Though I may be the minority in Waco, Texas, the OMF gave me a place to be among people that love contemporary music as much if not more than I did. What's more, I was around those who have been at the craft a lot longer than I have! That I saw and even partnered with today's contemporary musicians and those who appreciate them; this experience continues to encourage me today along my own musical path and I won't forget the music I experienced at the OMF! I certainly will be back."
Margaret? We're totally saving you a place here!
- Christiana Thomas
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