Portland, Oregon’s “Fear No Music” contemporary classical series, led by composer/violist Kenji Bunch, “has added two new permanent members to its all-star roster … soprano Arwen Myers and Oregon Symphony principal clarinetist James Shields,” reads an unsigned article in Thursday’s (8/22) Lake Oswego Review (Lake Oswego, Oregon). “Shields is co-artistic director of Chatter, an Albuquerque-based chamber music organization … a core member of 45th Parallel Universe and is also a composer. Before joining the Oregon Symphony Shields served as principal clarinet of the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto as well as the New Mexico Philharmonic in Albuquerque…. Fear No Music’s 2019-20 season Justice (Just Us) connects Portlanders to the international movement of restorative justice and forgiveness-based healing, the medium of music…. The season provides an amplified voice to the stories of oppressed peoples, environmental issues and important musical works that survived initially dismissive reviews … offering an avenue for healing and positive change. Following seasons which celebrated diversity and inclusivity through music, and explored music as an effective tool for activism, Fear No Music has streamlined its programmatic focus, establishing itself as a clear public advocate for global peace and equity.”
Click here to read Symphony magazine’s article about orchestras and social justice.
Posted August 23, 2019
