Episode 18

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Published on:

1st Nov 2021

Breaking Through False Barriers (w/Trevor Bowen)

Oh my goodness, we're back for episode 18 of THE SCORE! Can you believe it? We're all grown up and after a month apart, all of three of us are reunited in the Pod Closet and it feels so good. This week, after a quick catch-up (0:00:59), we dive into Professor George E. Lewis' essay "New Music Decolonization in Eight Difficult Steps" (0:17:43). We chat about how some of his ideas could be used to bring a new generation of people into the concert hall and might - just maybe - pull opera and classical music kicking and screaming into the future. Next, we're joined by exquisite human, costume designer and recent McKnight Artist Fellow, Trevor Bowen (0:57:18). He shares his process when designing for opera, gives us his insight into what activism can look like in the costume shop, and gives us a sneak peek at the upcoming projects he's most excited about. And finally, what else? A moment of Pure Black Joy and a warm welcome to the newest member of our team (1:38:14)! Let's do it to it, y'all!

Hosts: Lee Bynum, Rocky Jones, Paige Reynolds

Guest: Trevor Bowen

Producer: Rocky Jones

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Links

"New Music Decolonization in Eight Difficult Steps" by George E. Lewis (Outer National)

Trevor Bowen Design (Website)

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New episodes of THE SCORE drop every other Monday. If you like what you hear, please support us and SUBSCRIBE to the show on your favorite podcast app and be sure to SHARE our show with your friends. Also, leaving a 5-star REVIEW on Apple Podcasts is a great way to help get the word out. For more info about the exciting EDI work happening at MN Opera, please visit mnopera.org/edi. Email your questions or comments to thescore@mnopera.org

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About the Podcast

The Score
News and commentary about opera, classical music, and pop culture seen through an antiracist and anti-oppressive lens
It's time to put opera on game! Hosts Lee Bynum, Paige Reynolds, and Rocky Jones are three Black and queer artists, pop culture aficionados, and arts administrators at Minnesota Opera, who are working every day to bring more diversity, equity, and inclusivity into opera and classical music. The Score is their provocative, thoughtful, and humorous commentary on the industry's past, present, and future, as seen through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens. Each episode features a variety of stories from a variety of perspectives that bring People of the Global Majority, queer, trans and nonbinary folks, and everyone else into the discussion of ownership over and access to the art form. From the opera house to the statehouse to your house, each episode will amplify the voices of those in the field who are pushing the boundaries of what opera is, who it is for, and how it can transform us and our communities. New episodes come out every other Wednesday!