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Soundstreams is a new series bringing together musicians from different backgrounds for performances followed by an improvisation lab. We aim to create a space where people of all experience levels can make music together with openness, respect, and curiosity. Come listen, play, and explore new sonic possibilities with the community.In February there are not one, but TWO improv sessions and concerts. Feb 9 at 7:30 pm and Feb 23 at 7 pm.
Headlining Performers: Andrew Kohn, David Taddie, and George Willis
#### Ciel étoilé ####
Kaija Saariaho (1952-2023) is noted for exploring the relationship between sound and noise. Her beautiful, atmospheric, ethereal Ciel étoilé (Starry Night, 1999) has sustained sounds that blend the clear pitch of the crotale with the complex sound of the cymbal, while the bass similarly sustains sounds that can be pure or noisy. The changing balances between the two players creates fascinating shifts of color.
#### Deep ####
Of “Deep,” Alex Shapiro writes: I want truth and nakedness in my music; I want honesty. I want the listener to feel my heart and have their own stirred by what I offer in sound. Deep was commissioned by Carolyn Beck, who has been the inspiration for much of my bassoon music. I was touched by her excitement when a gorgeous new contrabassoon, affectionately named Moby, came into her life. Listening to the profound resonance of the tones the two made together returned me to the depths of the translucent sea that enveloped my body on a recent visit to Belize. The lower I sank, the more beauty greeted my eyes. The flat color of the surface had hidden the truth below.
Sometimes I make the mistake of believing that I’m not being unless I’m doing and moving. This piece was my challenge to myself to be still and present. And in doing so, I’ve never been as much before. Like the sea, my truth lies below, and I am happiest when I am immersed. Inhale. Exhale.
Shapiro composed “Deep” in 2004 and prepared a version for double bass in 2025. This is the first performance of her new version, which is dedicated to Andrew Kohn.
#### The “Dance” in the Place Congress ####
In New Orleans, a place known as Congo Square has held numerous festivals of music and dance called, “Dance in the Place Congo”. Such named events were held in the Congo nation as well. In some African countries, Ghana, e.g., there is no separate word for music – it exists only in tandem with dance.
This piece is intended by Taddie as a parody of Donald Trump’s lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him and his repeated attempts to overturn the results that ultimately lead to the January 6th Insurrection at the Capital. The quotation marks around ‘Dance’ in the title refers to the fact that the attack on the Capitol was an Insurrection despite repeated attempts to “dance” around that fact by calling it merely a peaceful protest gone awry, a sight-seeing tour, a false flag operation orchestrated by Antifa, or a stop the steal rally, etc. “The Place Congress” is the Capital itself.
This piece was written for Taddie's longtime friend, colleague, and stellar musician, Andrew Kohn.
The program order:
Ciel étoilé Kaija Saariaho
Deep Alex Shapiro
The "Dance" in the Place Congress David Taddie
Location: Monongalia Arts Center
Monday, February 23 at 7:00 - 9:00 pm ***note: back to normal start time***
$0 - 15
Donations are accepted at the door to support headlining performers & space rental. No one turned away for lack of funds.
More events in the series coming in the spring (message us if you'd like to make music and need sound / equipment)
Series organized by Annick Odom, Andy Sledge, and Mark Micchelli
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Monongalia Arts Center, 107 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505-5412, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
