The season one finale of Trilloquy features a conversation between Garrett and Am're Ford, who works as a composer, educator and founding director of a nonprofit arts organization. Ford shares his perspective on music education and discusses what he’s learned from starting a summer arts program. Garrett and Scott also share some big news about the future of Trilloquy. Episode PlaylistNaughty by Nature - "O.P.P."Steely Dan - "Black Cow"Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - "Deja Vu"Drake - "Emotionless" J. Cole - "Middle Child"  MoreArts in ActionAm're's Website

Trilloquy

Opus 50 - The End of the Beginning

After fighting against classical music’s rigidly outdated practices as a music teacher, composer and euphoniumist John DelVento decided to take his talents into the world of commercial film and TV music. He chats with Garrett and Scott in this opus about what led to that shift, and he offers his advice for music educators seeking a relevant way to introduce new students to instrumental performance. In honor of 4/20, Garrett and Scott spend the prelude exploring the intersection of classical music and cannabis.Episode PlaylistSergei Lyapunov – ‘Hashish’ SymphonyHector Berlioz – ‘Symphonie Fantastique’Hildegard von Bingen – ‘Alleluia’Hugo Schmidt – ‘The Devil’s Tongue’ More“Cannabis and coronavirus: What you need to know” John DelVento’s website

Opus 49 - 'High Art'

This opus of Trilloquy features part two of a conversation with Maestro Brandon Keith Brown, who filed a racial discrimination suit after he was fired as Brown University’s music director back in 2017. Since then, he’s conducted orchestras in several countries, and he chats with Garrett about how racism in classical music isn’t just an American issue – it’s a global one. Episode PlaylistWolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 10 More”Former Brown University Orchestra Director Alleges Racial Discrimination in 2017 Firing” (Diverse Issues in Higher Education, May 13, 2019)“Black People Don’t Like Talking About Racism” (Brandon Keith Brown, Medium, April 7, 2020)Brandon’s websiteAmerican Composer Forum’s Response to Covid-19

Opus 48 - Brown vs. Classical Music

In 2017, Maestro Brandon Keith Brown was named music director at Brown University. A few weeks later, he was fired. The resulting racial discrimination suit that he filed in 2019 has opened up some interesting conversations in the world of classical music. In this opus, Brandon shares his side of the story with Garrett. Garrett and Scott open up this opus with a look at the ongoing impact of social distancing. More”Brown University music director claims racial bias in 2017 firing” (Providence Journal, May 12, 2019)Brandon’s website

Opus 47 - Brown vs. Brown

Orchestras are starting to program more works by women and composers of color, but today those performances are nearly outnumbered by the programming of works by a single composer: Beethoven. That's just one of the surprising statistics professor Rob Deemer has discovered through his work with the Institute for Composer Diversity. He joins Garrett and Scott in this opus to talk numbers and explore why orchestras may want to program “a little less Beethoven.” PlaylistMy Favorite Things (arr. John Coltrane) MoreSupport the Institute for Composer DiversityResources for artists impacted by COVID-19

Opus 46 - A Little Less Beethoven

According to musician and arts administrator Janis Lane-Ewart, the best way to keep the spirit of Women’s History Month alive year-round is by sparking a sense of curiosity about ALL the women in your life. In this opus, she chats with Garrett about her experiences in music to conclude Trilloquy’s look at Women’s History. Garrett and Scott also offer a few of their Women’s History Month stand-outs, and they conclude the opus with a Janis-dedicated performance by pianist Lara Downes. Episode PlaylistAmanda Röntgen-Maier - Violin ConcertoKate Moore & Ashley Bathgate - Stories for Ocean ShellsAmina Claudine Myers - African BluesDinah Washington - What a Difference a Day MakesFlorence Price - First Romance MoreArts Leaders of Color Emergency FundEqual Sound Corona Relief Fund

Opus 45 - Privileged

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a huge impact on the financial wellness of musicians. In this opus, Garrett and Scott share ways that you can support artists during the crisis. This opus also features a conversation with Blair Tindall, author of Mozart in the Jungle, and a peek into the new album by Singapore-based bassoonist Jo Anne Sukumaran! Episode PlaylistModest Mussorgsky - “Tuileries (Children's Quarrel after Games)” from Pictures at an ExhibitionJo Anne Sukumaran - The Night GardenMoreContribute to the Artist Relief TreeJo Anne Sukumaran's websiteWatch Mozart in the JungleRead Mozart in the Jungle

Opus 44 - Sex, Drugs, and Social Distancing

Being one of the few black woman conductors in the world isn’t the only thing that sets Kalena Bovell apart. In this opus, she chats with Garrett and Scott about her journey to the podium and her deep admiration for metal! To frame the conversation, Garrett and Scott draw connections between rock and classical, and they shout out the black woman who codified the sound of rock ’n’ roll guitar: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Episode PlaylistLudwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” (arr. Tina Setkic)Metallica – “Nothing Else Matters” (arr. Soren Madsen)Evanescence – “Lacrymosa” (after Mozart) MoreSister Rosetta TharpeMemphis Symphony OrchestraKalena Bovell’s website

Opus 43 - Rock on From the Podium

In February 2019, Garrett recorded his very first Trilloquy conversation with Katie Brown and Dalanie Harris, hosts of the “Classically Black” podcast. The two return in this opus to chat with Garrett and Scott about the benefits and challenges of hosting a classical music podcast, and they offer their perspectives on real solutions to classical music’s lack of diversity. Episode PlaylistDobrinka Tabakova – Concerto for Cello and StringsJessie Montgomery – StarburstAnna S. Thorvaldsdóttir – MetacosmosJean Sibelius – Symphony No. 1Nils Boltman – Troubadour BlueDaBaby – “Shut Up” (arr. Michael Matas) MoreClassically Black Trilloquy is supported by the Minnesota Orchestra.

Opus 42 - (Still) Classically Black

Garrett and Scott wrap up Black History Month with improvisatory composer Davu Seru, who joins them for an in-depth conversation on black history, community, literature, gardening, and music! Seru and deVon Russell Gray share a live improvisation at the end of this opus. In the prelude, Garrett and Scott respond to listener requests by revisiting a previous conversation regarding The American Rhapsody. Episode PlaylistSamuel Coleridge-Taylor – African Dance No. 1Samuel Coleridge-Taylor/Aaron Dworkin – The American Rhapsody (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfz1QCQCu18) WatchDavu Seru and deVon Russel Gray Davu Seru and deVon Russel Gray MoreDavu Seru on “Minnesota Original”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk4v96fr380&t=70s“George Washington, the slave owner” blog post: http://www.garrettmcqueen.com/blog/george-washington-the-slave-ownerTRILLOQUY Op. 37: https://www.trilloquy.org/episode/2020/01/30/opus-37 Trilloquy is supported by Naxos of America. Find out more at https://unclassified.com

Opus 41 - 'Off the Page'

Composer Dameun Strange’s Mother King tells the story of Alberta Williams King, who was murdered in her church six years after the assassination of her son, Martin Luther King Jr. In this opus, Dameun sits with Garrett to discuss his background in community activism and the origins of his opera. deVon Russell Gray and Sarah M. Greer conclude the opus with a performance of Dameun’s composition Dream Variations. Episode Playlist George Frideric Handel – “And He Shall Purify” (from Messiah) WatchSarah M. Greer and deVon Russel Gray - Dream Variations Dream Variations More on Alberta Williams Kinghttps://www.atlantamagazine.com/civilrights/the-murder-of-alberta-king/

Opus 40 - Mother King

How do you define jazz? Should it sit side-by-side with “classical” music in the concert hall? At what point does the act of incorporating elements of jazz become cultural appropriation? In this opus, Garrett and Scott explore these questions and discuss jazz’s connection to black music and Black History Month. The two also recap their recent trip to Detroit for the 5th annual SphinxConnect conference, billed as the “epicenter for artists and leaders in diversity.” Garrett and Scott send “get well soon” vibes to Janis Lane-Ewart, who has been rescheduled to a future opus of Trilloquy due to illness. Episode PlaylistSamuel Barber – Summer MusicDarius Milhaud - La Création du mondeLeonard Bernstein – Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: VII. Fugue ('Cool')Duke Ellington – Black, Brown, and BeigeNina Simone – “Love Me or Leave Me,” “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” “Mississippi Goddam,” “Strange Fruit”Jessie Montgomery – Coincident DancesMichael Abels – Winged CreaturesLudwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 5DaBaby – “Bop”Joel Thompson – Seven Last Words of the UnarmedAstor Piazzolla - “Fuga y Misterio” MoreJazz 88: http://www.jazz88.fm/What is jazz?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG_KXiOOJIo&t=4sApollo’s Fire: https://apollosfire.org/Art Accordingly Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/artaccordinglypodcast/Classically Black Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/classicallyblackpodcast/Exigence Ensemble: https://www.sphinxmusic.org/exigence-vocal-ensemble/“Your Guide to Evergreen Programming”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJozw6BTMDY&t=916s“Sphinx Tank 2020”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oo8RhnkNkw&t=5914s

Opus 39 - 'Close Enough for Jazz'

In 2019, PaviElle French decided to engage both her native Saint Paul community and her hometown orchestra by writing her first “classical” composition. The result was a touching ode to her mother called A Requiem for Zula. At its premiere, Garrett noticed something very interesting – the audience was more diverse than he’d ever seen! In this opus, Garrett and Scott kick off Black History Month in a chat with PaviElle about how this performance served as a catalyst to strengthen the relationship between Saint Paul’s communities of color and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The three also go into the impact her mother made on her as a musician and what it means to find freedom as a creative artist. In the prelude, Garrett and Scott introduce the question they’ve planned to ask each February guest, and Garrett addresses one organization’s discomfort with his life philosophy. Episode PlaylistPrince (arr. Stringspace Quartet) – “When Doves Cry”Gary Clark Jr. – “This Land” MorePaviElle on Minnesota Originals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yEG1APKuoI&t=5sPaviElle with the Current: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSRh9BIJevY Trilloquy is supported by Naxos of America. Find out more at https://unclassified.com

Opus 38 - 'I'm Rooting for Everybody Black'

In response to criticism from attendees at a concert in late 2019, the Minnesota Orchestra took another look at its engagement with audiences of color. Garrett, who was very vocal about this infamous performance, addresses his concerns with Sam Bergman, a violist and 20-year member of the orchestra. In this opus, Sam discusses his journey as a musician, shares his social media strategy, and gives an inside look at the audition process at one of the nation’s great orchestras. In the prelude, Garrett tells Scott about his own journey into a professional orchestra, and the two briefly discuss the implications of taking on a non-leadership role in the arts. The opus concludes with Sam’s performance of In Teaching Others We Teach Ourselves by composer Judd Greenstein. Episode PlaylistWolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Overture to The Marriage of FigaroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart - “Der Hölle Rache” (from The Magic Flute)Judd Greenstein – ChangeJudd Greenstein – In Teaching Others We Teach Ourselves MoreMinnesota Orchestra

Opus 37 - Backstage at Orchestra Hall

Will Van De Crommert isn’t just a composer – he composes specifically for film, television, web, and advertising! In this opus, Will chats with Garrett and Scott about what it means to be a commercial composer and potential pivot points for making classical music programming align closer with the sounds he creates for a living. Will is joined in the conversation by cellist Vela Farquharson, who offers her unique perspective as a commercial music performer. The opus concludes with a sneak-peek into the score that Will composed for the upcoming web series “Quinn’s Place.” In the prelude, Garrett and Scott recount some of their favorite film scores and shout-out the very first film score! Episode PlaylistQuincy Jones – The Color PurpleWendy Carlos/Rachel Elkind – The ShiningJames Newton Howard – The VillageCamille Saint-Saëns – L'Assassinat du duc de Guise Morehttps://www.willvandecrommert.com/https://www.velafarquharson.com/

Opus 36 - Pivot Point

As the world of Podcasts continues to grow and evolve, so does public radio's responsibility to engage in it, and in its audiences. Trilloquy is our response to this - 'true and real' conversations from the fringes of classical music. This includes classical music makers, classical music appreciators, and even those new to the genre. Trilloquy is hosted and produced by Garrett McQueen and Scott Blankenship - two classical radio hosts with divergent, yet complementary, perspectives on the culture surrounding the genre of classical music.

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Trilloquy

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