As the orchestral field continues to face its relative lack of diversity on stage, Joe LaRocca has dedicated work toward raising awareness around a lack of diversity under the stage. He joins Loki to talk about his experiences as a theater musician, the challenges he's faced engaging this topic among theater professionals, and the written word that supports this activism. Loki responds to the 2025 New York City mayoral election.
Josh Jones and Bill Neri join Loki Karuna to chat about the new album from Sphinx Virtuosi: American Mirror. Loki explores his history with the Sphinx Organization and encourages others to consider the diversity of tactics needed to institute change in the classical field.
Stefan Thompson is a composer whose works celebrate the beautifully diverse aesthetics and traditions of his Bahamian home. He joins Loki to chat about growing up in the Bahamas, his entry into composition, and his research that shines a light on the lack of diversity in the world of film music.
Support for TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV!
★ Support this podcast ★Monica Ellis has blazed a trail in "classical" music for nearly 30 years as a founding member of the historic Imani Winds ensemble. She joins Loki to talk about her career, so far, her past and upcoming work with the Gateways Music Festival, and more! Loki offers a peek into his work as the new Executive Director of the American Composers Forum.
Music at the Anthology (MATA) was founded in 1996 and has become the world’s most sought-after performance opportunity for adventurous emerging music artists experimenting with composition, multimedia, and collaborative performance art. Loki chats with MATA's Executive Director, Pauline Kim Harris, about the festival, her life, and shifting status quo in the field. Loki shares notes from his upcoming address at the League of American Orchestras Conference.
Amanda DeBoer Bartlett has reached beyond her training in opera to write and produce music from her own aesthetic experiences. Loki and Amanda chat about her upbringing in "classical", the notion of genre, and her new album, "Braided Together". Loki reflects on his time at the American Composers Orchestra as he begins his new journey with the American Composers Forum.
Yuliana Lagunas is a rising star in the world of music as the concert mistress of the Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), and hopes to use the leadership skills she's cultivated to become a leading pediatrician! She joins Loki to talk about her journey, so far, why ICYOLA has been important for her overall development, and what this all means for her as a Latina in America today. Loki responds to recent cuts by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Support from TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV-FM!
Curtis Stewart returns to TRILLOQUY to chat about his life since becoming Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra, his engagements with the Gateways Music Festival, and his newest work, "Seasons of Change". Loki speaks to what he thinks people should think about as it relates to current TV shows and movies that deal with group resistance.
**Support for TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV-FM!
World-renowned musician, educator, performer, and composer, Damien Sneed, chats with Loki about his life, the power of existence, and the upcoming premiere of his new work, "Reflections of Resilience" by the Gateways Festival Orchestra. Loki speaks to dealing with feelings of "being left out" as Black communities grow within the field of classical music.
Support for TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV-FM!
★ Support this podcast ★Loki chats with Grammy-winning composer Jessie Montgomery about her trajectory as an artist, the role her parents and broader New York community played in her development, maintaining a sense of authenticity through notoriety, and lots more. Loki responds to recent lay offs at the Kennedy Center.
Support for TRILLOQUY comes from Boulanger Initiative.
TRILLOQUY is a proud partner of WDAV-FM.
Dr. Matthew Aubin has dedicated his research to raising awareness around the music of a French woman named Fernande Decruck, whose legacy has fallen into relative obscurity. He chats with Loki about his professional trajectory, his introduction to the music of Decruck, the new album featuring music of Decruck, and how he contextualizes his work within the framework of activism. Loki speaks to the power of reaching outside of our respective communities, and offers words in response to reactions about his latest professional venture.
Support for TRILLOQUY comes from Boulanger Initiative.
Loki chats with Maestro Sean Mayes to unpack Black identity north of the "American" border, his work with the Pops of Color Orchestra, the power of Whitney Houston's music in a symphonic setting, and more! Loki also speaks on the idea of relevance in classical music.
Loki chats with librettist/producer Portia Kamons and composer Ron Ramin about their joint venture with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, designed to meaningfully engage Generation Z. Loki shares the reasoning behind his return to "traditional" orchestral engagements.
Loki chats with Cheryl Warfield about her career as a singer, her beginnings outside of the music industry, and her upcoming collaboration with The Discovery Orchestra for their presentation of "Discover Angelitos Negros" in celebration of Black History Month. Loki offers continued thoughts on the takeover of the Kennedy Center.
Loki chats with George Marriner Maull, founder of the Discovery Orchestra, about his life, engaging new audiences through public media, and his upcoming Black History Month celebration concert: "Angelitos Negros". Loki shares his thoughts on the recent takeover of the Kennedy Center.
Loki chats with composer Shawn E. Okpebholo about the idea of "music for music's sake", the importance he puts on responding to calls for social justice, and his latest release, "Songs in Flight". Loki compares backlash against Beyoncé's Grammy wins to society's general aversion to musical evolution and change.
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Theme music by Soggy Beats
Loki chats with acclaimed musicologist and pianist Samantha Ege about her early engagement with music, her work highlighting and preserving the work of Black women in classical music, and her new book, "South Side Impresarios". Loki reacts to the idea of fighting against upcoming challenges in America.
Composer Carlos Simon returns to TRILLOQUY to offer updates on life, music, and the pursuit or peace in a world filled with change and uncertainty. Loki shares writings of Martin Luther King Jr. to commemorate MLK Day and the inauguration of Donald Trump as 47th President of the United States.
Violinist Kristin Lee joins Loki to discuss her new album, "American Sketches", and to unpack the question of who (and what) is American. Loki offers Buddhist texts as encouragement to those impacted by the California fires.
Loki chats with composer Damian Geter about his upbringing, career success, and his new opera that shines a light on the Loving v. Virginia court case, which made interracial marriage legal in the United States. Damian also offers words on "The Blacknificent 7" and their hopes for the industry. Loki shares his experiences and opinions on the topic of interracial love.