Down the Pit

An entertaining episode in which our guest Louis Levitt shares with us his life as a musician with a business mentality. From founding chamber music groups like Sybarite5 and The Weeklies, to being a producer, and CEO of record label Bright Shiny Things, we explore topics like life on tour,  non vs for-profit worlds, how to be signed by a label, labeling classical music, and more. To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian & Ian Loew

Post-production: Chris Ellis

Sponsor: U.S. PAVE

Armenian-American composer Mary Kouyoumdjian talks about her music, her culture, her influences, her projects ranging from concert works to multimedia collaborations and films scores. Kronos Quartet, Atom Egoyan, social and political conflicts, race/gender equality and so much more in this riveting conversation. To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

00:00 Introduction

04:52 Electone organ, why music?

10:29 What would be your career if not a musician?

14:52 Integrating field recordings & folk tunes into music

17:00 Kronos Quartet and commissions

19:00 Discomfort in music

22:30 Composition process 

27:25 Teaching at Colombia University, Brooklyn College, New School, Mannes Prep

38:38 Breaking moment of Mary's career

48:10 Gender issues 

52:48 Conflict in Armenia; Genocide; Awareness

1:05:57 What inspires Mary?

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian & Ian Loew

Post-production: Chris Ellis

Sponsor: U.S. PAVE

Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s “OrchKids” and founder of El Sistema inspired program “Tuned In” at the Peabody Conservatory, where he teaches creative composition and community engagement, Daniel Trahey is a pioneer and innovator in his field. In this entertaining conversation, we learn about his work, his views on music and education, his entrepreneurial skills, his use of music as a vehicle for social change, and a lot more! To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

https://www.danieltrahey.com/about

http://orchkids.org/

Dr. Yves Dharamraj tells us about his career, his dreams, his views on the importance of music education, privilege in classical music, his work as a co-Executive Director of New Docta Festival, and much more! To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

https://www.yvesdharamraj.com/

An entertaining chat with Shelbie Rassler, composer/arranger, conductor, multi-instrumentalist. The story behind the video that changed her life, how is it to be a student at The Juilliard School during COVID-19, her passion for education and altruism at such young age, a surprise phone call from a very important person, and much more. To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

https://maestramusic.org/profile/shelbie-rassler/

Arthur Sato shares his life as a NYC freelancer, as an educator. He tells us some great stories about being a contractor, how his heritage has shaped who he is, his involvement in the production of Mozart in the Jungle, his love for the Portland Trail Blazers, and so much more on this great episode! To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-sato-9108559

Growing up in Cleveland, diversity in music, American orchestras, music publishers, accessibility, orchestral programming, the Sphinx Organization, and so many more topics are part of this fun and fascinating interview with Jennifer Arnold.  To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

https://vlajma.wixsite.com/jenniferarnoldviola

https://www.richmondsymphony.com

Nathan is a composer, entrepreneur, and violist of the GRAMMY Award-winning  Attacca Quartet. In this episode, he shares his experiences juggling a career in chamber music, as a composer, his new "normal" during the pandemic, and his work as Executive Director of Musicambia, a non-for-profit that uses the power of music to build supportive communities where incarcerated individuals can build human connections, engage in learning and rebuild their lives. To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

https://www.nathanschramnoise.com/

http://musicambia.org/

http://www.attaccaquartet.com/

 Jacob Braun talks about growing up in the Boston area, his love for sports, fun anecdotes as a touring musician, and detailed insight of the fascinating life of being a recording soloist in Hollywood, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry like John Williams, and being part of some of the biggest blockbusters. To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

https://www.jacobbrauncello.com/

A captivating chat with one the most gifted American conductors of his generation. Currently in his 6th season as Artistic Director of Phoenix Symphony, in this episode,  Tito shares his views on a number of topics including public education in NYC, the state of American Orchestras, diversity, equity and much more. To become a Down the Pit supporter, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit

http://titomunoz.com/

https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/musicians/tito-munoz