Music Speaks

Hunter and Shaun dive into the music of Kevin McKee and discuss his progression as a composer.

Kevin McKee is an American composer of (primarily) brass chamber music.  He was born and raised in Yreka, CA, a tiny mountain town in the heart of the “State of Jefferson” (Northern California).  He began playing the trumpet in grade school at the urging of his father, the high school music teacher in town.  He went on to earn two degrees in trumpet performance; a BM from Sacramento State, where he studied with Gary Dilworth, and a MM from the University of Maryland, under Chris Gekker.

Our 5-time guest Valerie Nuzzolo interviews Music Speaks co-hosts Shaun and Hunter about their top 5 playlists (ten songs in total).

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In this episode, Shaun and Hunter go undercover to look at Brandenburg No. 4 in G Major.

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Hunter and Shaun help Nicole Murray break down some pieces she will be performing soon and some of the new choices she wanted to get the attention of.

Nicole Murray is a flutist and teacher based in buffalo, NY. Her teaching approach is based firmly on the belief that all students should enjoy playing music, and it is the role of the private teacher to help each student find their own unique musical voice.

As a flutist, Nicole subs with several orchestras, including the Erie Philharmonic, Catskill Symphony, Southern Tier Symphony, Amherst Symphony, and the Orchard Park Symphony. Her passion project is the Liminal Space Ensemble - a new music collective comprised of several buffalo professional musicians and guest artists. She received her bachelor's degree in flute from SUNY Fredonia, a master's degree from Ithaca College, and an artist diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Nicole also discussed the humanitarian crisis that is happening in Myanmar. If you would like to help, please visit these websites.

Hunter and Shaun act as musical therapists in this deep and thought-provoking interview with the artist known as Cubbage.

Cubbage hails from Philadelphia, but his heart is that of a traveler. With music rooted in pop/folk foundations, his style also seeks inspiration from jazz and soul reminiscent of John Mayer and Jamie Cullum. Traveling across the US in a sleeper van and busking on the streets between gigs, Cubbage has given himself wholly to a life of a modern bohemian musician.

Hunter and Shaun look at Bach's Brandenburg No. 3 in G Major, one of Bach's shortest concerti.

Shaun and Hunter examine some choral renaissance music with returning guest Meredith Neumann.

Meredith Neumann is the Choirmaster at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, CT, where she conducts the professional Schola Cantorum. Founded in 1999 by Archdiocesan Music Director and Organist, Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez, the choir’s repertoire encompasses the full range of Roman Catholic music, including plainchant, a cappella motets from the 16th through 20th centuries, music for chorus and orchestra, as well as newly commissioned works. In addition to its liturgical function, the Cathedral Schola Cantorum plays an active role in the concert life of the Hartford area, having appeared in concert with the New Haven and Hartford Symphony Orchestras.

Shaun and Hunter examine Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, and why the trumpet part is incredibly challenging and cracking Bach's compositional system.

Hunter and Shaun examine Composer/Arranger Joseph Melvin's top ten (eleven) movie soundtracks and quiz him on his soundtrack knowledge.

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Here is a little extra from Sphie's interview, where Hunter discusses Sphie's song "Imaginary Line."