Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant
ACHF Arts Access
By working with Carol Wincenc and Tod Machover’s commissioned piece of music, the 80 musician’s knowledge and/or skill as orchestral instrumentalists will be enhanced. The concert audience is estimated at 500. Audience members will have concert program notes to help in their understanding and appreciation of the new work. Additionally, Machover will speak from the stage just before the piece is played, offering insights into his creative process and giving context to his work. The audience will be invited to attend a post-concert conversation with Dr. Everett, Ms. Wincenc and Mr. Machover following the performance.The performing musicians will be asked to provide feedback via email as to the experience of working on a newly commissioned piece of music with Ms. Wincenc and Mr. Machover. Audience members will be invited to give immediate post-concert feedback by writing reactions on a post-it note provided in the concert program, and sticking their note to a designated window in the lobby as they leave. In particular, they will be asked to react to Machover’s piece and Wincenc's performance of it. Bemidji Symphony Orchestra board members will collect the notes, compile them, and use them to inform future programming. Additionally Bemidji Symphony Orchestra board members will observe and document the nature of the interaction during post-concert conversation.
Selecting a contemporary composer to write a commissioned piece specifically for flutist Carol Wincenc resulted in audience responses falling into three categories: 1) deep appreciation for modern composition; 2) openness toward exposure to a new kind of music and an appreciation for gaining knowledge and appreciation for the composition process; 3) clear appreciation for well-known classical compositions. Post-it notes with audience comments following the concert were the primary mode of audience feedback collection, and musician feedback was solicited via email. On the whole, musicians gained skill and appreciation for performing complex pieces, and were inspired by working with composer Tod Machover, flutist Carol Wincenc, and BemidjijSymphony Orchestra conductor Beverly Everett.
Other, local or private