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Music | Why?

Music | Why?

By Anna Summers

Why is music important to people? For many musicians, this is the 21st century question. We are interviewing guest artists from all over the world: to realize the value of music and its role in our lives.

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Music and Healing: Aging Made Easier (feat. Dr. David Coon)

Music | Why?Dec 28, 2021

00:00
17:60
DMV Music Academy | Co-Lab Music Festival: Leadership (feat. Don Johns)
Sep 17, 202219:34
DMV Music Academy | Co-Lab Music Festival: The Love of a Teacher (feat. Sean Daniels)
Sep 03, 202247:10
DMV Music Academy | Co-Lab Music Festival: 70% is LIFE! (feat. Tony Townes)
Aug 30, 202227:04
DMV Music Academy | Co-Lab Music Festival: The Gift of Teaching (feat. Terrell Smith)
Aug 22, 202217:12
DMV Academy | Co-Lab Music Festival: The Vision (feat. Larry Williams)
Aug 12, 202226:52
Music and Feminisim: Creativity and Environmental Activism (feat. Laurana Wheeler Roderer)

Music and Feminisim: Creativity and Environmental Activism (feat. Laurana Wheeler Roderer)

Today I’m very happy to be publishing a conversation with one of my dearest friends that I met whilst we were both pursuing our Master’s Degrees at Arizona State University. Laurana Wheeler Roderer is a violinist and librettist and is now pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts. Laurana has particularly fascinating projects centered on the subject of environmental consciousness and social activism. I love Laurana dearly and find myself in awe of her ideas, her unique story, and marvelously creative talents. Laurana is one of the great artists I’ve met in my life who embodies her “why” so beautifully in everything she executes. Listen in as we both unmask our vulnerabilities and find strength in the empowering endeavor of musical creations.

Aug 06, 202231:43
Music and Feminism: We can do anything! (feat. Sunny Xia)

Music and Feminism: We can do anything! (feat. Sunny Xia)

https://www.sunny-xia.com/bio

Today you will be hearing from my dear friend and exceptional musician and conductor, Sunny Xia. Recognized for her innate musicality, compelling presence, and technical precision, Chinese-born conductor Sunny Xuecong Xia’s ability to forge an immediate and captivating connection with orchestras and audiences alike has led to engagements around the country. Recently appointed Douglas F. King Assistant Conductor of the Seattle Symphony, Xia begins her new position in September 2022. I have had the privilege of working with Sunny for the last two years as she studied conducting with Dr. Jeffrey Meyer at ASU. It’s a rare opportunity to work with such capable, vulnerable people. Sunny is someone that I find has the perfect combination of incredible strength and courage while at the same time cares so deeply about people, about humanity, and about being compassionate, empathetic, and honest. In our conversation, we unveil the wisdom behind Sunny’s outstanding success as a young, female conductor in what has traditionally been a study and career for only men.

Jul 26, 202234:05
Music and Feminism: Creating Africlassical "Soul Food" (feat. Tami Lee Hughes)
Jul 11, 202220:05
Music and Feminism: Self-Awareness (feat. Bridget Gan)

Music and Feminism: Self-Awareness (feat. Bridget Gan)

Join me for an intimate conversation with illustrious Soprano, Bridget Gan, on the subjects of motherhood and the arts, women’s rights, creative COVID adaptations, community and virtual collaboration, and of course the healing and empowering gift of music.

Jun 20, 202242:49
Music and Healing: Aging Made Easier (feat. Dr. David Coon)
Dec 28, 202117:60
Music and Celebration! :)

Music and Celebration! :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

Dec 21, 202104:46
Music and Healing: The Enduring Power of Music Therapy (feat. Dr. Melita Belgrave)
Aug 09, 202124:49
Music and Antiracism: "We've barely scratched the surface..." (feat. Afa Dworkin)
Aug 02, 202131:02
Music and Healing: Music is LIFE! (feat. Robin Fay Massie)
Jul 19, 202144:35
Music and Healing: Coming soon!

Music and Healing: Coming soon!

I'm so excited to launch this new series on Music and Healing! Stay tuned as we interview experts on the healing power of music and music therapy! 

Here's a link to the Harvard Health Blog:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/healing-through-music-201511058556

Jul 07, 202105:31
Music and Antiracism: Book List

Music and Antiracism: Book List

List of 5 recommended books on Antiracism and Civil Rights:

  1. (First two books were recommended to me by Titus Underwood) “Where do we go from here” by Martin Luther King
  2. “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century” by A. Kirsten Mullen and William A. Darity Jr.
  3. (Recommended to ASU students by Alex Laing) “How to be Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
  4. (Recommended by Ibram X. Kendi) “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander
  5. (Final recommendation was from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)  “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing” by Anneliese A. Singh
Jun 29, 202103:48
Music and Antiracism: Growing Through Dissonance - "What is an American Symphony?" (feat. Titus Underwood)

Music and Antiracism: Growing Through Dissonance - "What is an American Symphony?" (feat. Titus Underwood)

Our guest today is Titus Underwood, America’s first Black principal oboist of a major orchestra, playing for Nashville Symphony. He was recently awarded the 2021 Sphinx Organization Medal of Excellence which is the highest honor bestowed by the Detroit-based social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Titus has created several viral projects that have made an enormous impact in creating a more anti-racist music community. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Titus as we explored ways for American musical organizations to become more culturally conscious. Titus shares brilliant ways to enrich our understanding of Black Culture and the roots of uniquely American music. Learn more about our guest through the links below!

Jun 22, 202144:25
Music and Antiracism: We need to do more! (feat. Chi-chi Nwanoku)
Jun 15, 202128:27
Music and Antiracism: My Story

Music and Antiracism: My Story

In this episode, I share the stories of my ancestors Felix Galura and John Parry. To learn more about them, I've attached links below!

Felix Galura:

  • http://viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com/2015/07/385-fiery-pen-of-flauxgalier-felix-n.html
  • https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/357519/114-year-old-zarzuela-to-be-restaged-to-fund-cultural-projects/
  • https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1846162/Pampanga/Local-News/Bacolor-honors-memory-of-towns-beloved-son-Felix-Galura

John Parry:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Parry_(Mormon)
  • https://uk.churchofjesuschrist.org/john-parry
  • http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=2924
Jun 08, 202111:07
Reflections on Music and Community
Apr 26, 202103:31
Music and Community: If the dream is right... (feat. Michael Ballam)

Music and Community: If the dream is right... (feat. Michael Ballam)

I am so excited to be sharing a wonderful conversation with you today with acclaimed operatic artist and entrepreneur, Michael Ballam. Michael Ballam has received critical acclaim with the major opera companies of the USA and a recital career in Concert Halls across four continents. His operatic repertoire includes more than 600 performances of over 70 major roles, sharing the stage with the world's greatest singers. An accomplished pianist and oboist, he is the Founder and General Director of the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre company, which is fast becoming one of the nation's major Opera Festivals. Along with his artistic and creative endeavors, Michael Ballam is a passionate advocate for the arts across the country. I had the great privilege of working and performing in the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre back in 2019, their last season since before the pandemic. Along with many others, I felt the grave loss when they were forced to shut their doors in the summer of 2020. However, this week they publicly announced their 2021 season! Tickets are available through their website which I have linked in the show notes for this episode!

In this episode, Michael Ballam shares the Festival’s challenges in the last year. We talk about their miraculous beginnings and how, through perseverance, they have enriched the lives of countless individuals in their small community and beyond in ways that have served multiple generations and hopefully, many generations to come.

https://music.usu.edu/faculty/directory/ballam

https://michaelballam.com/

https://utahfestival.org/

Apr 23, 202148:05
Music and Community: Stay tuned for our final guest!

Music and Community: Stay tuned for our final guest!

This coming Friday will be the release of my final guest artist episode of the series “Music and Community”. The reason I am not publishing this episode right away is due to some exciting news that our guest will be sharing this coming Wednesday in launching their "post-COVID-19" summer plans. I am ecstatic over this episode and the time I got to spend with this particular guest who, for over fifty years, has done miraculous things in promoting music in their communities. Stay tuned! You won’t want to miss it!

Apr 19, 202100:50
Music and Community: People and Passion (feat. Tacy Edwards)

Music and Community: People and Passion (feat. Tacy Edwards)

Today you will hear from Tacy Edwards who is co-founder of the North Charleston POPS! orchestra and currently serves as its Executive Director. Tacy plays Principal Flute with the POPS!, Second Flute in the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and has been the Piccolo player with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra from 1992 to the present. I asked her beforehand if she would be willing to talk about why music is important to her but also, about how she has worked to build a uniquely positive community of musicians and arts supporters who have all worked together to create meaningful connections and lasting relationships.

http://northcharlestonpops.com/about-us/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn4Ad0qm2bFS7oN3Dw-aSQ

https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston_scene/latest_headlines/n-charleston-pops/article_3599fcb2-5661-522e-b660-0891c4a3def5.html

Apr 13, 202122:29
Music and Community: SYNERGY (feat. Justin Morgan)

Music and Community: SYNERGY (feat. Justin Morgan)

Today you will be energized by Justin Morgan’s contagious attitude of positivity and passion for music and its role in our communities. Justin is a wonderful bass player and conductor and has been a dear friend and colleague of mine since high school when we met playing in a string orchestra together over 10 years ago. Justin has always been an inspiration to me as someone who ceaselessly strives to achieve impossible goals. He recently left his graduate studies at Bard College Conservatory of Music in upstate New York and a Fellowship position with the TŌN orchestra to become the new Dean at The Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City, Utah. A product of The Gifted Music School himself, Justin shares the incredible history of this organization and how it now serves dozens of communities, here and abroad.

https://www.justinmorganbassist.com/

https://www.giftedmusicschool.org/

Apr 08, 202135:25
Music and Community: The 21st Century Question (feat. Larry Williams)

Music and Community: The 21st Century Question (feat. Larry Williams)

Today is a very exciting day, the first of a series of episodes on Music and Community. Yamaha French Horn artist Larry Williams has held principal horn positions in a number of great orchestras and chamber ensembles and has a great passion for teaching. Professor Williams has dedicated his incredibly successful career to promoting great music as a tool for connection: connection with ourselves, with our communities and with society. The “why” of music, Larry agrees, is the 21st century question. Without giving too much away, I came away from this invigorating conversation teeming with ideas for supporting the evolution in the music industry as I’m sure you will as well!

http://www.larrywilliams.us/

https://www.youtube.com/user/larrywilliamsvideos

Mar 30, 202138:38
Up next! (Preview)

Up next! (Preview)

It has been an incredible journey! As I look forward to more conversations, I’m excited to soon be releasing upcoming project series including:

  • music and community
  • music and antiracism
  • music and healing
  • music and feminism
  • music and global communication. 

I will introduce all of these individual projects in upcoming episodes. We have a number of fantastic guests lined up so stay tuned!

You can connect with me and our guests on the Music | Why? Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/musicwhy.summers) as well as music-why.com. Please give me your feedback and suggestions, whether it’s through messenger or contacting me through my website. This conversation is central to the future success of music industries! 

I look forward to hearing your stories!

Mar 23, 202103:57
Humanizing... (feat. Christopher Bradford)

Humanizing... (feat. Christopher Bradford)

Mar 16, 202131:39
Everyone has a story. (feat. Yuriy Bekker)

Everyone has a story. (feat. Yuriy Bekker)

Today, you will be hearing from Yuriy Bekker-- a magnificent violinist, international soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician. In addition to playing the violin he is a passionate pedagogue, dynamic conductor and a deeply caring friend. He currently serves on faculty at the College of Charleston in South Carolina as a professor of violin and orchestra and also plays significant roles in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as concertmaster and Principal Pops conductor. In these roles, he has done much to enrich the arts community in the vibrant city of Charleston, one of the many reasons moving there to complete my Bachelor’s program in his studio was so attractive to me. You will hear Yuriy share the moving story of his humble beginnings in what was communist Russia that led him to the United States for a better life which, without question, would include music. Having this warm conversation with my former professor was such a treat for me. While he has enjoyed much hard earned success in his life, Yuriy has one of the most generous and modest personalities I know. For me and many others, he has been a standard of excellence but also goodwill in the way he serves his communities by bringing beautiful music into the world.

https://www.yuriybekker.com/


Mar 09, 202128:20
An Alternate Universe

An Alternate Universe

Today we talk about imagining going into a live performance like you are going into an alternate universe. The key word to audience etiquette: consideration.

Read the full transcription here: https://www.music-why.com/post/an-alternate-universe

Mar 02, 202108:08
Informed listening... (feat. Dr. Michael O'Brien)

Informed listening... (feat. Dr. Michael O'Brien)

In this episode you will hear from someone whose unique skills will be offering a critical perspective on the ways in which music interacts with culture. Dr. Michael O’Brien is a prominent professor and Department Chair at the College of Charleston and is an ethnomusicologist, someone who studies the music of the world. Ethnomusicology involves the interactive relationships between music and cultural anthropology, psychology, folklore, and conventional musicology. He recently published an article in Musicultures detailing his research on a soccer chant in Argentina that was turned into what he calls a “sonic meme” meant to be a protesting medium. When I lived in Charleston, South Carolina, I spent a lot of time in conversation with Dr. O’Brien, talking about the musical improvisation methods in different cultures, Haitian politics and classical music, communism in Cuba and the Cuban Rap Agency, the history of Argentinian tango music, and so many other things! These and other conversations expanded my vision on the wide ranging impact of music in the world. Today, you will also hear Dr. O’Brien share a number of inspiring ways in which we can all support artists in these challenging times.

Link to journal article:

https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/MC/article/view/31403?fbclid=IwAR2q0_a9VbLLFmjYcRmbybL1HMF9Wo5HMkAzxmkvAMCnBPlRfpXV2-2SVdU

Instagram radio show: unosoenbicicleta

https://www.instagram.com/unosoenbicicleta/

Blog:

https://soundstudiesblog.com/michael-obrien/


Feb 23, 202145:27
It fuels me! (feat. Zack Clark from Simply Three)

It fuels me! (feat. Zack Clark from Simply Three)

Today you’ll meet Zack Clark, the lead cellist in the group Simply Three--a string trio consisting of a cellist, bassist, and violinist. They describe themselves to “have old school training but a new school sound”. A few years ago I was on the lookout for anything to do with the violin and I found Simply Three through their pop cover albums on Spotify and I was instantly hooked by their electrifying sound, impressive virtuosity, and heartfelt music. Tune in as I talk with Zack about his amazing journey from elementary school cello to now having a distinct brand, a nationally touring group, and an internationally popular YouTube channel with millions of followers all over the globe.

https://simplythreemusic.com

Check out their latest premiere!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kjJeexF-tQ

Feb 16, 202137:36
Injury and Perspective

Injury and Perspective

On this episode, I share my personal insights from experiencing an overuse injury and what I've learned through the process. 

Feb 09, 202110:20
Trumpet did that. (feat. Buddy Deshler)
Feb 02, 202132:27
Beautiful Dissatisfaction (feat. Dr. Austin Thorpe)

Beautiful Dissatisfaction (feat. Dr. Austin Thorpe)

Today you will hear my conversation with Dr. Austin Thorpe who recently published a PhD dissertation titled, “An Achingly Glorious Beauty: Ronald Staheli and His Philosophies”. 

I met Dr. Thorpe 8 years ago as a vocalist and pianist in his choirs at Herriman High School in Herriman, Utah. The experiences I had in his choirs were transformative and played an important role in my deciding to become a professional musician. His friendship is something I will treasure my whole life. In our discussion, I’ve asked him to talk a little bit about parts of his dissertation as well as to share his story. I have tremendous gratitude and admiration for Dr. Thorpe but in listening to him, I experienced some genuinely moving moments that I am very pleased to share with you.

Link to full dissertation:

https://search.proquest.com/openview/6a37b42610a6253d297ce92b09c0f5f7/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Feb 01, 202140:46
Musical Instrument Museum

Musical Instrument Museum

I had the opportunity to attend the Musical Instrument Museum here in Phoenix, Arizona and it was LIFE CHANGING!! 

Below is a link to an AWESOME video of Thomas Roth shredding it on the Nyckelharpa! I talk about a number of instruments in the podcast but this one is a treat! You're welcome :) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sfBcWvVUbs

Jan 11, 202114:14
It's BIG. (feat. Dr. Deanna Swoboda)

It's BIG. (feat. Dr. Deanna Swoboda)

I met Dr. Swoboda while taking her course “The Enterprising Musician” at Arizona State University. The thing that immediately impressed me with her classroom management was her passion for encouraging curiosity. Inviting Dr. Swoboda to open my 2021 podcast launch was the obvious choice. In our discussion, we talk about her adaptations to the challenges of COVID-19, pivotal childhood experiences, role models, her thoughts on entrepreneurship, and of course, her “why”.

The next 30 minutes will inspire you.

Jan 06, 202133:49
Trailer

Trailer

Hello! My name is Anna Summers and I am a musician currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona. In my lifetime, I frequently raise eyebrows when I communicate with people about my choice of career. “Music? Why?” They ask. Well, it’s an honest question. Why is music so important to so many people, musicians and audiences alike? This question never ceases to fascinate me. That is why I decided to start a weekly blog and podcast titled, “Music| Why?" devoted to exploring people’s answers to this question. On this podcast you will hear incredible stories from great artists all around the world. My mission is to connect these inspiring individuals and their experiences to a broader audience of people who are on a similar quest: to realize the value of music and its role in our lives.

Oct 01, 202004:23