Statements
Mission
Music City Baroque is dedicated to sharing a historically-informed perspective on great Baroque music with audiences in Nashville through performances and collaborations with guest artists, educational institutions, and other arts organizations.
Background
Founded by organist and conductor Murray Somerville, Music City Baroque has brought early music to Nashville audiences for over ten years. Highlights include performances of J.S. Bach's B Minor Mass and St. John Passion, and performances with renowned early music specialists such as Monica Huggett and Robert Mealy. From 2015 to 2017, the ensemble was led by violinist Allison Nyquist, with notable events such as a visit from flutist Barthold Kuijken, casual coffee concerts, and collaborations with Vox Grata and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Under the current leadership team of Jessica Dunnavant and Maria Romero, Music City Baroque continues its tradition of presenting exciting programs of great music that create an awareness of history, context and tradition. Our passion for tradition enhances our experience of the music and our collaborations with guest artists, educational institutions and arts organizations.
Impact
Prior year concert season: after a period of reorganization Music City Baroque presented two programs in the 19-20 concert season. In September, we celebrated a collaboration with Elevare to present Vivaldi's GLORIA , and the March 9 concert (one of the last live performances of 2020), presented a program celebrating the work of women composers of the Baroque.
For the 20-21 concert season: in November, we recorded our debut video program, ARMCHAIR TRAVELER. It was the first recorded program for MCB, and the first program distributed through video stream. All of the works on this program, which depicted an imaginary journey to the musical capitals of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, were given their first performance in the Middle Tennessee area. The second program of this season will be recorded in April 2021, for video release in May. Titled BRING FORTH THE LIGHT:A Celebration of Life, this concert will explore themes of hope and perseverance in times of darkness, celebrating the arrival of Spring and the life it brings with it.
These programs were the first "ticketed" events MCB has presented.
The 21-22 concert season is in the final planning stages. We hope to present 2 -3 concert programs. Also in development are two educational outreach "units" focusing on two of the characteristic instruments of the Baroque period, the recorder and the viola da gamba (also called the viol). These educational units will be released in conjunction with concert programs that involve those instruments.
Concert concepts are being developed with emphasis on the following criteria :
1. Tennessee resident artists, or guest artists with a strong link to Middle Tennessee.
2. Baroque and early Classical music from underrepresented composers
Administrative goals prioritize expanding the Board of Directors, working with MTSU Department of Music to offer an internship in Arts Administration, and establishing a funding core of donors (Friends of MCB is the working title).
3. Programs that broaden audience exposure to the ensemble itself.
4. Programs that balance the familiar Baroque repertoire with Middle Tennessee "debuts" of Baroque works.
Needs
1. Board members with fundraising experience/interest, business skills, and a passion for music.
2. Funding for a guest artist. approximately$2500 for the two artists, travel, and outreach workshop.
3. Training/guidance for marketing and financial initiatives.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Music |
| Secondary Category: | - |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
Programs have historically attracted audiences in Nashville, but our reach expanded through the recorded concert in November. We would like to continue to reach this audience, either by providing concert videos on demand or by performing in other communities.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
