Pause and Listen

Pause and Listen explores the spectrum of new classical music through the lens of musicians, composers, and art appreciators. Each episode, three panelists join in conversation with John T.K. Scherch, bringing in three pieces of new notated music available on the internet that they feel others should hear. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the music as they see fit, be it listening to the pieces uninterrupted before playing the episode or pausing and listening to the pieces on streaming platforms along with the panelists.

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Pause and Listen

Difficulty

September 22, 2020 • John T.K. Scherch and Michele Mengel Scherch • Season 2 • Episode 6

1. Stephen Scott - Vikings Of The Sunrise: Fantasy On The Polynesian Star Navigators (Start with “Ocean Drum”)

https://open.spotify.com/album/1HRPSkZaRp1uaoOoRI2NEB

2. Sarah Kirkland Snider - Penelope (Start with “Circe and the Hanged Man”)

https://open.spotify.com/album/49xHTKjIfDahbCEPNVBZ3M

3. Laura Kaminsky - As One (Start with “To Know” and “Out of Nowhere”)

https://open.spotify.com/album/5h6QCRWqjzpFWrTlcAoEVG

Panelists:

El Schoepf, M.S. (they/she) is a social science researcher who studies and teaches about power, privilege, and oppression in the performing arts. After burning out of a performing career, El sought to improve mental health services in the performing arts sector by becoming a therapist. Their research about stratified economies’ effect on human behavior and experience served as inspiration for an experiential simulation game they developed called “Star Ensemble: Exploring Power and Privilege in Classical Music.” El holds degrees in counseling psychology and music and is currently a trainee at the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Philadelphia.

Robin (Rob) McGinness is an active operatic baritone, inactive composer, and instructor helping students build the necessary skills needed for diverse careers in the arts. Often featured on stage portraying opera’s “bad boy,” Rob’s operatic credits include the title roles in Eugene Onegin and Don Giovanni, as well as Marcello in La Bohème. Committed to promoting and performing new works, Rob regularly premieres new roles, including Ed Wall in Frances Pollock’s award-winning opera Stinney, and Saul Hodkin/Price in The Ghost Train by Paul Crabtree. Rob’s compositions include vocal, theatrical, and orchestral pieces premiered at IngenuityFest, Andy’s Summer Playhouse, and by the Windham Orchestra of Vermont. Rob holds degrees from the Peabody Institute and Oberlin Conservatory and is a returning Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist at Arizona Opera.

British-American soprano Claire Galloway’s theatricality covers the gamut of “palpable pain” and “splendid, funny moments” (B.I.T.R.). This summer and next, Claire is a Fellow with the Ravinia Steans Music Institute. She recently sang Sam in Stephen Crino and Joshua Scheid’s Friends House for the new Podcast Opera Company. In 2019-2020 she performed Vitella (Clemenza) and Blanche (Dialogues of the Carmelites), was a semifinalist in the James Toland Vocal Arts Competition, and performed with Opera Lafayette’s 1806 revival of Beethoven’s Léonore. An avid recitalist, she recently presented a recital based on the life of Rosa Ponselle and concerts showcasing Scandinavian and contemporary American compositions. Ms. Galloway’s innovative recital programing has resulted in the best-attended concert event at the Baltimore War Memorial Arts Initiative in past seasons. Through her teaching studio, she is currently offering a 6-month training program called Core Singer Essentials, starting in October, as well as a free 2-day preview called “Singers Take The Wheel Career Roadmap” on September 25th and 26th. Details at www.clairegalloway.com.

More information at pauseandlisten.com. Pause and Listen was created by host John T.K. Scherch and co-creator/marketing manager Michele Mengel Scherch.