DEUS EX MUSICA

Julian DeShazier is a pastor, writer, and community activist, as well as a hip-hop artist recording under the moniker J.Kwest. He stops by the podcast to talk about his work in the secular music industry, his new EP, and hip-hop's prophetic power.

Internationally-known orchestral conductor Delta David Gier talks about faith, musical interpretation, and his commitment to community engagement. 

Creative dynamo James Dargan – baritone, composer, violinist, concert producer and writer – talks about how his faith has inspired his multi-faceted work as a musicians advocating for social justice and racial equality.

Acclaimed tenor Isai Jess Muñoz discusses how his upbringing in a Latin American Pentecostal church led to his career on the operatic stage, as well as how his faith has inspired his work on topics as diverse as Latin American Protestant worship music and sacred music drama.

Renowned Biblical scholar and popular blogger James McGrath discusses his new project exploring musical interpretations of the Bible, and how he has used music from a wide variety of genres to teach students and laypeople about the Scriptures in thought-provoking and spiritually valuable ways.

Pastor, theologian, and singer Aric Flemming – who records at Aric B. – talks about his music, his faith, and the ways he navigates the complexities of a career as both as minster and an R&B artist.

Acclaimed as both a classical soprano and a scholar working on the theology of music, Awet Andemicael discusses the challenges of presenting artistically compelling and spiritually honest performances of sacred music in secular concert settings.

Ryan Turner, Artistic Director of Emmanuel Music in Boston, discusses the nexus between his own faith and the music of J.S. Bach, with particular focus on the ways listening to the cantatas can provide spiritual nourishment and understanding.

Today’s interview features Margaret Felice, a Roman Catholic musician known for both her work as an operatic soprano and as a writer on issues related to faith and music.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Latin American composers Josh Rodriguez and Xavier Beteta discuss the challenges of writing contemporary sacred music, exploring Beteta’s new Psalm setting and Piano Concerto “Thomás de Merlo” inspired by stolen sacred paintings in Guatemala.