classicalqueer

We welcome to the show this month the amazing OperaQ from Toronto. They are in the process of making a queer-led Indie Operatic film about the life of Julie d’Aubigny or Mademoiselle de Maupin. You really have to read about her life as a transgressive opera singer and swordsman.  We talked to the company about the film and what it means to them to produce an Opera about such a larger-tha-life character. So come take a listen, find out about Julie and her life as well as French Baroque Opera. I learnt so much!

We are excited to have two guests on this months CQ podcast. The first is the composer Trey Makler who tells fantastic stories with his music. The second guest and making a return to the show is Saxophonist Nick May. Jacob and I had a great time talking with the two of them and in particular about a new work written for Nick by Trey. Do take a listen!

We welcome cellist, composer, vocalist and improviser India Gailey to this months CQ podcast. India is a multi-talented artist who works across musical genres as well as dance and other art forms.   During the show we discuss India's work, her influences and her recent album Problematica. The music from the album and the range of the Cello in this work has to be heard to be believed. Truly amazing. Oh and we have a fun time as well!    

Something a little different this month as Jacob and I interview Charlotte and Bien from Trash Panda Brass - a queer brass band residing in Toronto. Formed in 2022 the band have made quite an impact in the brass band scene with their exciting and joyful arrangements of modern pop classics.   We had a wonderful time talking and laughing with them about their work and music in general. You will love their arrangements! Of course you have to listen to find out the origin of their name!

Jacob and I are excited to introduce you to the Gay4Nature collective. Based in Canada they work at the intersection of queer identity and climate justice - a unique combination. We had a wonderful time talking to the founders Anna Bigland-Pritchard and Alex Chen. We covered a wide range of topics including their new work, Green, of which we hear a preview. Stay to the end to hear a queer version of the coffee cantata! Amazing!  

It was a great pleasure to welcome back Eveshka Ghost to the podcast. She recently released her new film "Broken Eyes" - for which she not only wrote the music but also wrote and directed the film.    We not only discuss the film but delve into Eveshka's quite unique way of writing and playing music. To be honest, I am in awe of her abilities as a composer and musician and I really have no idea how she does it in the way she does. Take a listen to find out more.

Jacob and I had a great time interviewing Opera singer and theatre creator Teiya Kasahara. Teiya not only has the most fantastic voice but uses it so creatively to explore the various aspects of gender, sexuality and race all within an often amusing operatic artform. There is little doubt that they are a rising star in the operatic world. I know you will enjoy listening to this podcast!

On this month's Classical Queer Podcast we welcome composer and performer Zachery Meier. We talked to him about his life as a flutist (or flautist and definitely not flootist) and his wonderful compositions. Jacob and I had a great time talking with Zachery and I learnt a lot about the combination of flute and tuba - it works! Come and take a listen to some fantastic music that for me pushed the boundaries of what a flute can do.    

Something a little different this month. Jacob talks to some students about their music and also takes us behind the scenes during practice. It is nice to hear young musicians talk about their lives and how music fits into it. So do take a listen.  

For our first podcast of 2024 Jacob and I are so pleased to welcome Hub New Music to the show. Hub New Music are a string and wind quartet who have been called "contemporary chamber trailblazers" through their fresh and exciting music. We interviewed two of the four members Mike Avitabile (flutes) and Meg Rohrer (violin/viola) - they are joined in Hub by Gleb Kanasevich (clarinets) and Jesse Christeson (cello). So do join us for a fun and may I say joyous hour of conversation and music. 

In 2022 we interviewed Australian composer Matt Webster about his upcoming work "This too shall pass" about his life and struggle with Bipolar disorder. Since then Matt has been orchestrating and recording the work and it was released a few days ago. The work is a labour of love and deals with such important issues that affect so many people. We therefore thought it a good time to talk to Matt again about how the work developed and how it's been received. The outcome you will see is an amazing musical experience. Please note the podcast contains references to menatl health issues and suicide.

When thinking of the world of classical music one does not normally think of the Saxophone. Well, Nick May is here to change your mind. Jacob and I had the great pleasure of interviewing Nick who's amazing virtuosity is displayed in the 3 pieces we listened to. It really opened my eyes to the world of classical sax. As usual we discussed a wide range of subjects including Nick's project to promote innovative queer music called "I Exist". Do take a listen, you won't be disappointed.

If you are like me you have a soft spot for musicals then you are in for a real treat this month. Jacob and I had the great pleasure to interview composer, musical director and improviser Jordan Paul Clarke. Come listen to some great songs including one about two people in a home for the elderly trying to come to terms with facebook and you shouldn't miss the excerpt from Jordan's musical about Salmon tying to escape from a farm. Enjoy fantastic music combined with witty lyrics and the British sense of humour  in a really enetertaining show. Don't miss it!

I have had the pleasure of interviewing many great musicians and composers over the past two years but I came to realise that I had never talked music with my co-host Jacob Caines. He amazingly agreed to be interviewed by me. So here is Jacob talking about his work as a musicologist, conductor and musician. As usual we had lots of laughs and talked about a wide range of subjects.   ... and no, don't worry I won't be interviewed next! Sammi

Classical Queer 27 sees the return to the show of Rylan Gleave who was one of the first guests we had on the CQ podcast and since then Rylan's career has flourished. Here we discuss his new work called "In Chemical Transit" by All Men Unto Me. This very unique work details the change in Rylan's voice during his transition. As is usual we talk about a wide range of issues covering the whole range of the queer experience - oh and of course we laugh a lot!   Do take a listen!

On this month's podcast Jacob and I talk to the brilliant American violinist Andrew Sords. Andrew has travelled the world and played with over 300 orchestras. He has a wide-ranging repertoire of work including solo and recital works  as well as with his trio.   As usual we listened to some great music and talked widely about music, politics and of course Andrew's dancing.   Do take a listen!

This month, the classicalqueer podcast was on location at the Unison Choir Festival held in Halifax, Canada. The festival brought together 1500 queer singers from across the country to sing and connect.   Jacob had the opportunity to listen to performances as well as talk with one of the festival choir conductors, Deirdre Kellerman as well as sitting on a rehersal.   Come take a look behind the scenes of a fantastic festival.      

For CQ Episode 24 we crossed the world to Australia to talk to composer, pianist and conductor Kym Dillon who is currently based in Melbourne and Geelong. Starting out her career as a jazz pianist, Kym’s interest soon turned to composition, and her work now regularly spans multiple genres and areas of musical practice.   We had a great time chatting with Kym and talking about her work as well as having lots of laughs and a generally fun time. We hope you take a listen.    

Back in November 2021 Jacob and I had the pleasure of interviewing composer and instrumentalist Florence Anna Maunders. Since then her career has moved forward in leaps and bounds. So we thought it was time to invite her back on the show and find out what she has been doing.   We talk about her work and awards over the last year and listen to three recent compositions. As usual we discuss a wide range of topics and talk about upcoming work. Do take a listen.

Jacob and I welcome to the show Canadian Composer Stuart Beatch. Stuart specialises in choral music and has had his work performed across North America and Europe. During the show we listen to three pieces all of which need to be listened to not only for their choral beauty but for the story they tell - which is surely the sign of great composing.   We of course talk about music, the state of the world and pretty much everything in between. Jacob and I had a great time talking with Stuart so do take a listen. Credits "a boy & a boy", performed by Pro Coro Canada (Michael Zaugg, dir), recorded September 2022    "The Letter" from "I am like many", performed by The Fourth Choir (Dominic Ellis-Peckham, dir), EP release from 2019   "Preserves" from "Still Running", performed by tenor Tim Carter and pianist Kimberley-Ann Bartczak, recorded August 2022