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A Musical Life with Hugh Sung

Pianist Hugh Sung shares stories about making music and what moves our souls. Featuring interviews with musicians from a wide variety of genres, including Classical, Folk, Rock, Jazz, and beyond. Visit http://amusicallife.com for all episodes and show notes. New episodes coming every Monday.
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Now displaying: January, 2017
Jan 30, 2017
Steven Hackman, Composer, Conductor, Arranger, and Producer

Steven Hackman is one of the most exciting hybrid classical and pop artists on the scene today. Steve has worked extensively with the hit classical crossover group, Time for Three, writing several of their unique arrangements, and is currently the Creative Director of FUSE at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the 'Mash-Up' series at the Colorado Music Festival, and founder and creative director of his own music brand :STEREO HIDEOUT:

I first met Steve as a young conducting student at the esteemed Curtis Institute of Music, studying under the legendary maestro Otto Werner-Mueller. But while he was pursuing serious classical music studies, he had a secret passion. One day, I happened to be walking by some of the basement practice rooms, and heard the most amazing pop piano and vocals coming out from one of them. You guessed it - it was Steve, who has an amazing voice, and is an incredible pop songwriter in his own right. As a conductor, Steve went on to work with the Reading Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony. As a pop songwriter and arranger, he continues to collaborate with Time for Three, has a second album of his own original hip hop music in the works, and even had a run on season 7 of American Idol, placing in the top 64 out of 150,000 contestants.  But what really got my attention was the amazing symphonic mashups he’s been creating, blending pop and classical mediums in a way that’s exciting new audiences everywhere.

Jan 23, 2017
Chad Seiter, Movie, TV and Videogame Composer

Chad Seiter has composed and produced original music for several major Hollywood franchises such as Star Trek, Fringe, and Lost. He is also Composer, Music Director and Associate Executive Producer for Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions and The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses touring concert series performing symphonic arrangements of classic Nintendo scores with hundreds of the world’s leading orchestras.

Chad Seiter is one of those composers lucky enough to create music that encompasses his passions for movies, TV and video games. Chad started his career as an assistant to Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino, and has produced music for some top video game titles, such as the 2013 ‘Star Trek’ video game based on J.J. Abrams’ reboot film, and 2016’s ‘ReCore’ from Microsoft studios.  A die-hard retro gamer himself, Chad’s symphonic arrangements of themes from classic NIntendo games has been a huge success, and a great way to attract new audiences who have never been to a live symphony concert before.

Links

Chad's website: http://www.chadseiter.com/

 

Jan 16, 2017
Mimi Stillman, Flutist

At the age of 12, Mimi Stillman was the youngest wind player ever to be accepted for studies at The Curtis Institute of Music with the legendary flutist Julius Baker. Now, Mimi is not only a world renowned flute soloist, but she is also the founder and artistic director of the Dolce Suono chamber music ensemble, as well as an author, arranger, teacher, and lecturer with a doctoral degree in history.

Back when I was the Director of Instrumental Accompaniment at The Curtis Institute of Music, I had the good fortune to work with Mimi Stillman, one of the most remarkable young flutists I have ever met. Mimi has gone on to do incredible things as a musical and artistic pioneer, championing new works by living composers, getting her doctoral degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania, and enriching the Philadelphia cultural scene with her remarkable chamber ensemble organization, Dolce Suono.

Links

Mimi's website: http://mimistillman.com/

Dolce Suono's Website: http://dolcesuono.com/

 

Jan 9, 2017
Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra

Joseph Conyers is a remarkable musician, educator, and civic leader. In 2007, Ebony magazine named him one of ‘30 Leaders 30 and under’. In addition to his position in the Philadelphia Orchestra, Joe is the Music Director for the School District of Philadelphia's All City music program, and founder of Project 440, an organization that provides high school students with opportunities and tools for individual growth and community impact.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful, restful holiday! What a great way to start 2017 interviewing one of the most remarkable people I know, Joe Conyers. I’ve known Joe since his student days at Curtis, and it’s been such a joy and an inspiration to see his incredible life journey and passion for giving to others, from his tenures at the Atlantic and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestras, to his current leadership position in the Philadelphia Orchestra, All City Music Program, and his remarkable organization, Project 440. Joe was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down with me backstage at the Kimmel Center to record this interview.

Links

Project 440 website: http://www.project440.org/

Joe's bio on The Philadelphia Orchestra website: https://www.philorch.org/about/musicians/joseph-conyers#/

Jan 9, 2017
Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra

Joseph Conyers is a remarkable musician, educator, and civic leader. In 2007, Ebony magazine named him one of ‘30 Leaders 30 and under’. In addition to his position in the Philadelphia Orchestra, Joe is the Music Director for the School District of Philadelphia's All City music program, and founder of Project 440, an organization that provides high school students with opportunities and tools for individual growth and community impact.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful, restful holiday! What a great way to start 2017 interviewing one of the most remarkable people I know, Joe Conyers. I’ve known Joe since his student days at Curtis, and it’s been such a joy and an inspiration to see his incredible life journey and passion for giving to others, from his tenures at the Atlantic and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestras, to his current leadership position in the Philadelphia Orchestra, All City Music Program, and his remarkable organization, Project 440. Joe was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down with me backstage at the Kimmel Center to record this interview.

Links

Project 440 website: http://www.project440.org/

Joe's bio on The Philadelphia Orchestra website: https://www.philorch.org/about/musicians/joseph-conyers#/

Jan 9, 2017
Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra

Joseph Conyers is a remarkable musician, educator, and civic leader. In 2007, Ebony magazine named him one of ‘30 Leaders 30 and under’. In addition to his position in the Philadelphia Orchestra, Joe is the Music Director for the School District of Philadelphia's All City music program, and founder of Project 440, an organization that provides high school students with opportunities and tools for individual growth and community impact.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful, restful holiday! What a great way to start 2017 interviewing one of the most remarkable people I know, Joe Conyers. I’ve known Joe since his student days at Curtis, and it’s been such a joy and an inspiration to see his incredible life journey and passion for giving to others, from his tenures at the Atlantic and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestras, to his current leadership position in the Philadelphia Orchestra, All City Music Program, and his remarkable organization, Project 440. Joe was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down with me backstage at the Kimmel Center to record this interview.

Links

Project 440 website: http://www.project440.org/

Joe's bio on The Philadelphia Orchestra website: https://www.philorch.org/about/musicians/joseph-conyers#/

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