BE MUSIC is a celebration of the artists who come together to perform, create, teach, live, and work here at Interlochen, this nexus point of the arts between the lakes and beneath the pines. These artists are my community, my neighbors, and my colleagues, and this work is the result of the relationships and collaborations built over time.   

Many of the pieces were rehearsed and performed at various recitals at summer camp or developed as projects over the school year.  Ideas were shared during hallway conversations on the way to class, or over drinks at the pub down the road.  When given the opportunity to professionally record these works, rehearsals were tucked in the middle of busy lesson schedules.  Recording sessions were booked for Wednesday mornings before faculty meetings and studio classes.  We worked hard, prepared well, and we were diligent, but this work is more a reflection of our daily practice and music making, rather than the result of any one single artistic retreat.  This project nourished our own artistic exploration and growth as we also continued to foster the young artists in our care as teachers. 

This is the lesson that I wish to pass to my students with BE MUSIC: Artistry and performance are not something to be “achieved” at any particular moment, but rather, they are active states, to be practiced with renewed intention each day.  They can hold space along with all the other aspects of one’s life, and so perhaps this title is also a call to action, to nurture one’s own artistry and to live it and be it always and over and over again. 

It is my hope that this album is not only a celebration of the collaboration, music, poetry, and performance of all involved, but also a conduit through which these pieces may travel and seek new champions, interpreters, and performances.  The three incredible composers featured on this album are creating music that is compelling, beautiful, lyrical, and dramatic, and their gracious writing for the voice is a welcome gift to any singer.  Please see their websites to learn more about their excellent work and where you can purchase scores. 

Thank you for listening. 

- Laura Osgood Brown