Programs and Press

Programs & Press

NAICP

This project began thanks to the vision of Howard Bass and Georgia Wettlin-Larsen during the first Classical Native program at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in November 2006. For the first time I was performing with talented Native American musicians who shared a socio-political and spiritual perspective. Our music, though all very unique, perhaps came from a similar place – one of being with nature, with conflict, with reparation, with heart and mind. The Classical Native program, as I understood it, was not just about exploring the rich contributions that Native people are making to the world of contemporary classical music, but also a meeting ground for Native musicians to explore our world as living artists; thus, collaborations, deep respect, and rich musical friendships began. I am privileged and inspired by this project and hope to commission another series of elder composers to record a small volume of North American Indian classical cello works. I sincerely thank the composers and performers for bringing their vision to life and giving me the opportunity to be part of it. The funding for most of the works premiered is graciously provided by a grant from the First Nations Composers Initiative project supported through the Ford Foundation's Indigenous Knowledge, Expressive Culture grant program of the American Composers Forum.

Dawn Avery (program notes November 2007)

past programs

Program 1
Program 2
Program 3
Program notes with field notes.pdf

Press

Dawn Avery - Washington Post (11/08/2007)