Putting It All Together—Russell's Classical Consortium

Putting it all together: Russell’s Classical Consortium 

We go to concerts. We applaud. Then we usually go right back home. Traffic is bad. We’re tired. 

Guess what? We’re missing one of the best parts of the experience—gathering afterwards in spirited discussion about what we just heard. What if some of the musicians joined the conversation? It would be magical . It would make the concert so much more memorable. 

I’ve spent the past five months envisioning a way to make this happen. Virtually. Not just because of Covid, but because we classical music lovers come from all over. Patreon is an established, proven monthly membership program for artists and supporters to be together online. I’m going to turn the patronage idea around to empower you as a community of music listeners. It’s personal for me as well because it integrates my life as a composer and educator. That’s why I’m calling it Russell’s Classical Consortium.

How will this change your life? Tune in Wednesday. Some regulars will tell you about our Hangouts. I’ll introduce you to some remarkable world class musicians—cellist Cecilia Tsan, guitarist and microtonal evangelist John Schneider, Grammy award-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, soprano Kristina Bachrach, world music artist Yuval Ron, and accordion virtuoso Cory Pesaturo. I’ll perform and share insights on music listening.  Let’s have some fun! We’ll raffle off one free admission to my new series The Piano Concerto. Everyone will receive a free listening gift. 

I’ve shared my journey with you this past week because I realized my Classical Consortium is really another one of my compositions. I began with inspiration and  sketches. Then doubts. Then lots of inquiry. Why did this feel important to do? I laughed remembering how I first fell in love with music while sorting baseball cards. Eventually I realized that we all hear differently, and with extreme prejudice!  As a graduate student, I learned a deeper way to listen, beyond liking and not liking a particular style. As a composer, I realized audiences can’t expect to understand my music if they can’t really follow Beethoven. I created tools to make that possible. As a teacher and pre-concert speaker, I discovered a knack to attract a community of smart people who become friends with each other, as well as skilled listeners. 

Inquiry guided my “sketches” towards this finished “piece” —a journey to take more people than ever into a deep musical understanding and social connection, just as I originally imagined. I feel this is a way out from the depression and isolation we’re all feeling during this pandemic. Also a respite from the daily political insanity. It will connect you with the happier, higher purpose you feel when you thrill to the classical music you love. Will my “piece” be a success? Will you eagerly join? I’m excited to find out at the premiere tomorrow!