[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
thank you what was your experience of
thank you what was your experience of that short performance maybe you were
that short performance maybe you were
that short performance maybe you were thinking I loved flute music or perhaps
thinking I loved flute music or perhaps
thinking I loved flute music or perhaps this is really pretty what am I having
this is really pretty what am I having
this is really pretty what am I having for dinner tonight maybe you thought you
for dinner tonight maybe you thought you
for dinner tonight maybe you thought you know I don’t really like classical music
know I don’t really like classical music
know I don’t really like classical music it’s kind of boring
it’s kind of boring
it’s kind of boring or maybe you wondered why didn’t he give
or maybe you wondered why didn’t he give
or maybe you wondered why didn’t he give an introduction what am I supposed to be
an introduction what am I supposed to be
an introduction what am I supposed to be listening for after performing listeners
listening for after performing listeners
listening for after performing listeners will often say that was a beautiful
will often say that was a beautiful
will often say that was a beautiful concert which is really wonderful to
concert which is really wonderful to
concert which is really wonderful to hear and I’ll thank them and ask what
hear and I’ll thank them and ask what
hear and I’ll thank them and ask what did you find beautiful about it their
did you find beautiful about it their
did you find beautiful about it their eyes widen and they go silent then they
eyes widen and they go silent then they
eyes widen and they go silent then they say something like oh I don’t know I’m
say something like oh I don’t know I’m
say something like oh I don’t know I’m not a musician it was nice I just liked
not a musician it was nice I just liked
not a musician it was nice I just liked it although well-intentioned I’ve been
it although well-intentioned I’ve been
it although well-intentioned I’ve been so bothered by this because hearing that
so bothered by this because hearing that
so bothered by this because hearing that they don’t have more to say other than
they don’t have more to say other than
they don’t have more to say other than like or dislike or that they’re
like or dislike or that they’re
like or dislike or that they’re struggling to articulate their
struggling to articulate their
struggling to articulate their experience it makes me feel like they’re
experience it makes me feel like they’re
experience it makes me feel like they’re not really connecting with the music
not really connecting with the music
not really connecting with the music themselves or me but I’ve also realized
themselves or me but I’ve also realized
themselves or me but I’ve also realized that I’ve struggled to define what I
that I’ve struggled to define what I
that I’ve struggled to define what I expect and hope for when asking a
expect and hope for when asking a
expect and hope for when asking a listener about their experience so five
listener about their experience so five
listener about their experience so five years ago I fell into a deep musical
years ago I fell into a deep musical
years ago I fell into a deep musical depression because I wasn’t feeling
depression because I wasn’t feeling
depression because I wasn’t feeling connected with audiences
connected with audiences
connected with audiences I was practicing three to four hours a
I was practicing three to four hours a
I was practicing three to four hours a day and excited to share my music but
day and excited to share my music but
day and excited to share my music but after the concert there was no one to
after the concert there was no one to
after the concert there was no one to connect with on a deeper level
connect with on a deeper level
connect with on a deeper level and I began wondering why am i putting
and I began wondering why am i putting
and I began wondering why am i putting all this energy into it if no one’s
all this energy into it if no one’s
all this energy into it if no one’s gonna respond I thought music was a
gonna respond I thought music was a
gonna respond I thought music was a universal language is it just
universal language is it just
universal language is it just entertainment
entertainment
entertainment am I even a good enough musician I felt
am I even a good enough musician I felt
am I even a good enough musician I felt lost and isolated and I was considering
lost and isolated and I was considering
lost and isolated and I was considering quitting my career I needed help so I
quitting my career I needed help so I
quitting my career I needed help so I called Lisa my first flute teacher she
called Lisa my first flute teacher she
called Lisa my first flute teacher she had nurtured my passion for music in
had nurtured my passion for music in
had nurtured my passion for music in high school I felt like a huge
high school I felt like a huge
high school I felt like a huge disappointment telling her that I’m
disappointment telling her that I’m
disappointment telling her that I’m losing my fire for performing not
losing my fire for performing not
losing my fire for performing not connecting with people anymore and she
connecting with people anymore and she
connecting with people anymore and she listened so thoughtfully and kindly and
listened so thoughtfully and kindly and
listened so thoughtfully and kindly and told me something she had said when I
told me something she had said when I
told me something she had said when I was younger Jim you need to spend some
was younger Jim you need to spend some
was younger Jim you need to spend some time soul searching ask yourself what do
time soul searching ask yourself what do
time soul searching ask yourself what do you really love about music and what do
you really love about music and what do
you really love about music and what do you want to share with it I couldn’t
you want to share with it I couldn’t
you want to share with it I couldn’t remember so I set out to explore my
remember so I set out to explore my
remember so I set out to explore my connection with music in hopes of
connection with music in hopes of
connection with music in hopes of reengage in with audiences now my soul
reengage in with audiences now my soul
reengage in with audiences now my soul searching began here reflecting on the
searching began here reflecting on the
searching began here reflecting on the beginning of my musical journey at age
beginning of my musical journey at age
beginning of my musical journey at age 12 my grandma the only other musician in
12 my grandma the only other musician in
12 my grandma the only other musician in my family had a profound influence on my
my family had a profound influence on my
my family had a profound influence on my musical life she would often ask with
musical life she would often ask with
musical life she would often ask with this light in her eyes what story are
this light in her eyes what story are
this light in her eyes what story are you sharing you see she saw performance
you sharing you see she saw performance
you sharing you see she saw performance as this opportunity to share something
as this opportunity to share something
as this opportunity to share something you loved about the music your specific
you loved about the music your specific
you loved about the music your specific connection and as a kid it really
connection and as a kid it really
connection and as a kid it really inspired me to develop characters and
inspired me to develop characters and
inspired me to develop characters and stories and places that I imagined in
stories and places that I imagined in
stories and places that I imagined in the music I gave my first interactive
the music I gave my first interactive
the music I gave my first interactive recital four years ago to middle school
recital four years ago to middle school
recital four years ago to middle school students about a year into my
students about a year into my
students about a year into my soul-searching and I asked them to write
soul-searching and I asked them to write
soul-searching and I asked them to write about stories and characters that they’d
about stories and characters that they’d
about stories and characters that they’d heard in the music so while I’m playing
heard in the music so while I’m playing
heard in the music so while I’m playing pencils were furiously going in the
pencils were furiously going in the
pencils were furiously going in the audience and there’s a lot a little
audience and there’s a lot a little
audience and there’s a lot a little chatter and I’m thinking this is great
chatter and I’m thinking this is great
chatter and I’m thinking this is great what are they coming up with
what are they coming up with
what are they coming up with wait a sec these are middle school
wait a sec these are middle school
wait a sec these are middle school students why did I think this was a good
students why did I think this was a good
students why did I think this was a good idea well after the concert I talked
idea well after the concert I talked
idea well after the concert I talked with the students about their
with the students about their
with the students about their experiences and they’d all connected in
experiences and they’d all connected in
experiences and they’d all connected in different ways some ideas were similar
different ways some ideas were similar
different ways some ideas were similar and simple and others were complex and
and simple and others were complex and
and simple and others were complex and even unique one of my favorites I had
even unique one of my favorites I had
even unique one of my favorites I had played this really light-hearted snappy
played this really light-hearted snappy
played this really light-hearted snappy piece of music and a student said it
piece of music and a student said it
piece of music and a student said it reminded him of the movie Titanic how
reminded him of the movie Titanic how
reminded him of the movie Titanic how does that even happen
does that even happen
does that even happen I have no idea but why not why not
I have no idea but why not why not
I have no idea but why not why not it was his experience and it was one of
it was his experience and it was one of
it was his experience and it was one of the most inspiring fun and creative
the most inspiring fun and creative
the most inspiring fun and creative concerts I’d played in a long long time
concerts I’d played in a long long time
concerts I’d played in a long long time and I was finally feeling connected with
and I was finally feeling connected with
and I was finally feeling connected with listeners so I kept designing
listeners so I kept designing
listeners so I kept designing interactive concerts to enhance
interactive concerts to enhance
interactive concerts to enhance audiences connection with music I would
audiences connection with music I would
audiences connection with music I would ask questions and include art writing
ask questions and include art writing
ask questions and include art writing and movement activities sometimes I even
and movement activities sometimes I even
and movement activities sometimes I even went a little further as a Greek tour
went a little further as a Greek tour
went a little further as a Greek tour guide in pans harmonic labyrinth or as
guide in pans harmonic labyrinth or as
guide in pans harmonic labyrinth or as Devo James in concerto for frenemies
Devo James in concerto for frenemies
Devo James in concerto for frenemies these were about engaging and being open
these were about engaging and being open
these were about engaging and being open to creating a meaningful experience
to creating a meaningful experience
to creating a meaningful experience while intentionally listening to
while intentionally listening to
while intentionally listening to classical music then I wondered what
classical music then I wondered what
classical music then I wondered what spontaneous musical connection so to
spontaneous musical connection so to
spontaneous musical connection so to explore this I put on comfy clothes
explore this I put on comfy clothes
explore this I put on comfy clothes packed my flute and supplies and I went
packed my flute and supplies and I went
packed my flute and supplies and I went to the subways of Chicago I made this
to the subways of Chicago I made this
to the subways of Chicago I made this sign I thought the smiley face was a
sign I thought the smiley face was a
sign I thought the smiley face was a nice touch
nice touch
nice touch and I played a piece by Bach over and
and I played a piece by Bach over and
and I played a piece by Bach over and over since trains come every five to
over since trains come every five to
over since trains come every five to eight minutes it was an eye-opening
eight minutes it was an eye-opening
eight minutes it was an eye-opening experience the wind from the trains was
experience the wind from the trains was
experience the wind from the trains was constantly blowing my stands over I even
constantly blowing my stands over I even
constantly blowing my stands over I even lost some music that flew into the
lost some music that flew into the
lost some music that flew into the tracks sometimes there’d be a crowd of
tracks sometimes there’d be a crowd of
tracks sometimes there’d be a crowd of people listening and people drying and
people listening and people drying and
people listening and people drying and other times
other times
other times thirty minutes would go by and no one
thirty minutes would go by and no one
thirty minutes would go by and no one would look at me one time I invited a
would look at me one time I invited a
would look at me one time I invited a curious man to listen and add to the art
curious man to listen and add to the art
curious man to listen and add to the art and he drew and then walked away I later
and he drew and then walked away I later
and he drew and then walked away I later checked he had drawn the Nazi symbol I
was stunned and horrified all I was
was stunned and horrified all I was trying to do was encourage creativity
trying to do was encourage creativity
trying to do was encourage creativity and connection through music my heart
and connection through music my heart
and connection through music my heart was racing and I’m wondering what do I
was racing and I’m wondering what do I
was racing and I’m wondering what do I do
do
do do I cover it up and pretend that it
do I cover it up and pretend that it
do I cover it up and pretend that it just never happened maybe I should just
just never happened maybe I should just
just never happened maybe I should just pack up and go home it was so painful
pack up and go home it was so painful
pack up and go home it was so painful thinking that my music could have led to
thinking that my music could have led to
thinking that my music could have led to that
for the integrity of the experiment I
for the integrity of the experiment I chose not to change it and I ate
chose not to change it and I ate
chose not to change it and I ate actually kept playing with a sliver of
actually kept playing with a sliver of
actually kept playing with a sliver of hope that maybe someone would come by
hope that maybe someone would come by
hope that maybe someone would come by and cover it up as I kept playing people
and cover it up as I kept playing people
and cover it up as I kept playing people watched me with the most uncomfortable
watched me with the most uncomfortable
watched me with the most uncomfortable stares and I felt disconnected all over
stares and I felt disconnected all over
stares and I felt disconnected all over again
again
again this went on for 20 minutes then a
this went on for 20 minutes then a
this went on for 20 minutes then a gentleman walked by and he smiled while
gentleman walked by and he smiled while
gentleman walked by and he smiled while I played and he frowned at the poster he
I played and he frowned at the poster he
I played and he frowned at the poster he asked about the swastika I told him what
asked about the swastika I told him what
asked about the swastika I told him what had happened and about the art project
had happened and about the art project
had happened and about the art project and then I kept playing though the
and then I kept playing though the
and then I kept playing though the colors were clashing he turned the
colors were clashing he turned the
colors were clashing he turned the symbol into a Sun he said the music
symbol into a Sun he said the music
symbol into a Sun he said the music reminded him of sunshine there were
reminded him of sunshine there were
reminded him of sunshine there were countless incredible and beautiful
countless incredible and beautiful
countless incredible and beautiful moments like this and I met numerous
moments like this and I met numerous
moments like this and I met numerous Chicagoans and travelers I was typically
Chicagoans and travelers I was typically
Chicagoans and travelers I was typically playing ninety minutes where one piece
playing ninety minutes where one piece
playing ninety minutes where one piece of art was created – one piece of music
of art was created – one piece of music
of art was created – one piece of music and here are some of the creations one
and here are some of the creations one
and here are some of the creations one of my favorite responses was one of five
of my favorite responses was one of five
of my favorite responses was one of five or six year old girls she ran up and she
or six year old girls she ran up and she
or six year old girls she ran up and she said I know what you make me think of
said I know what you make me think of
said I know what you make me think of you sound like a fairy yeah as a flute
you sound like a fairy yeah as a flute
you sound like a fairy yeah as a flute player we’re most often compared to
player we’re most often compared to
player we’re most often compared to sounding like birds
sounding like birds
sounding like birds so being called a fairy was a fantastic
so being called a fairy was a fantastic
so being called a fairy was a fantastic surprise you see playing in the subways
surprise you see playing in the subways
surprise you see playing in the subways wasn’t about getting people to like
wasn’t about getting people to like
wasn’t about getting people to like classical music it was about giving them
classical music it was about giving them
classical music it was about giving them an opportunity to be present and
an opportunity to be present and
an opportunity to be present and expressive with their listening
expressive with their listening
expressive with their listening experience
yes I’m changing
yes I’m changing the presentation of classical music but
the presentation of classical music but
the presentation of classical music but what I’m really doing is reimagining the
what I’m really doing is reimagining the
what I’m really doing is reimagining the listeners role I see the listener as an
listeners role I see the listener as an
listeners role I see the listener as an active participant and collaborator in
active participant and collaborator in
active participant and collaborator in the concert I get to be creative as a
the concert I get to be creative as a
the concert I get to be creative as a performer and give you music to create
performer and give you music to create
performer and give you music to create something with this was the connection
something with this was the connection
something with this was the connection I’d been searching for all along now in
I’d been searching for all along now in
I’d been searching for all along now in four years of interactive work there are
four years of interactive work there are
four years of interactive work there are two things I’ve discovered everyone can
two things I’ve discovered everyone can
two things I’ve discovered everyone can connect with classical music you don’t
connect with classical music you don’t
connect with classical music you don’t have to have formal training though it
have to have formal training though it
have to have formal training though it may add to your enjoyment and to your
may add to your enjoyment and to your
may add to your enjoyment and to your listening experience is enough listening
listening experience is enough listening
listening experience is enough listening is something we all know how to do and
is something we all know how to do and
is something we all know how to do and it’s not about listening correctly or
it’s not about listening correctly or
it’s not about listening correctly or having a life changing musical
having a life changing musical
having a life changing musical revelation it’s about being present to
revelation it’s about being present to
revelation it’s about being present to your authentic experience and finding
your authentic experience and finding
your authentic experience and finding your own meaning in the music i define
your own meaning in the music i define
your own meaning in the music i define creative listening as awakening your
creative listening as awakening your
creative listening as awakening your imagination and being open to your
imagination and being open to your
imagination and being open to your innate creativity and exploratory
innate creativity and exploratory
innate creativity and exploratory experiences that connect you with music
experiences that connect you with music
experiences that connect you with music it takes the creative performance and
it takes the creative performance and
it takes the creative performance and the imaginative listening and fuses them
the imaginative listening and fuses them
the imaginative listening and fuses them together into a shared creative
together into a shared creative
together into a shared creative experience where we become collaborators
now I’m really excited to share a
now I’m really excited to share a musical story with you today in all of
musical story with you today in all of
musical story with you today in all of our intellectual stimulation and
our intellectual stimulation and
our intellectual stimulation and note-taking at this conference we’re
note-taking at this conference we’re
note-taking at this conference we’re going to pause now and share in a
going to pause now and share in a
going to pause now and share in a collaborative listening experience and
collaborative listening experience and
collaborative listening experience and your role is simple listen really listen
your role is simple listen really listen
your role is simple listen really listen listen with intention and our busy lives
listen with intention and our busy lives
listen with intention and our busy lives we’re struggling to be present with the
we’re struggling to be present with the
we’re struggling to be present with the music and ourselves so the creativity
music and ourselves so the creativity
music and ourselves so the creativity and connection that we crave as human
and connection that we crave as human
and connection that we crave as human beings isn’t being fulfilled so today I
beings isn’t being fulfilled so today I
beings isn’t being fulfilled so today I invite you to be mindful and engage in
invite you to be mindful and engage in
invite you to be mindful and engage in this experience
this experience
this experience be open to your first reaction does the
be open to your first reaction does the
be open to your first reaction does the music remind you of something in your
music remind you of something in your
music remind you of something in your past or does it take you somewhere new
past or does it take you somewhere new
past or does it take you somewhere new in your imagination and be open to where
in your imagination and be open to where
in your imagination and be open to where your creativity takes you join the
your creativity takes you join the
your creativity takes you join the musics journey ask yourself questions
musics journey ask yourself questions
musics journey ask yourself questions about characters emotions stories colors
about characters emotions stories colors
about characters emotions stories colors dancing whatever it is that inspires you
now on either side of me we have some
now on either side of me we have some empty canvases and some markers and
empty canvases and some markers and
empty canvases and some markers and while listening ask yourself what does
while listening ask yourself what does
while listening ask yourself what does the music make me think of then during
the music make me think of then during
the music make me think of then during this 3-minute performance I invite you
this 3-minute performance I invite you
this 3-minute performance I invite you to go up and draw write or color
to go up and draw write or color
to go up and draw write or color whatever comes to you and multiple
whatever comes to you and multiple
whatever comes to you and multiple people can be drawing it once so don’t
people can be drawing it once so don’t
people can be drawing it once so don’t be shy afterwards share your experience
be shy afterwards share your experience
be shy afterwards share your experience with one another connect on a deeper
with one another connect on a deeper
with one another connect on a deeper level and strengthen this community
level and strengthen this community
level and strengthen this community through music it’s time we reimagine our
through music it’s time we reimagine our
through music it’s time we reimagine our connection to music as listeners because
connection to music as listeners because
connection to music as listeners because when we do were present to creativity
when we do were present to creativity
when we do were present to creativity expression and connection with each
expression and connection with each
expression and connection with each other and ourselves happy creating and
other and ourselves happy creating and
other and ourselves happy creating and thanks for listening
[Laughter]
[Laughter] [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
thank you what was your experience of
thank you what was your experience of that short performance maybe you were
that short performance maybe you were
that short performance maybe you were thinking I loved flute music or perhaps
thinking I loved flute music or perhaps
thinking I loved flute music or perhaps this is really pretty what am I having
this is really pretty what am I having
this is really pretty what am I having for dinner tonight maybe you thought you
for dinner tonight maybe you thought you
for dinner tonight maybe you thought you know I don’t really like classical music
know I don’t really like classical music
know I don’t really like classical music it’s kind of boring
it’s kind of boring
it’s kind of boring or maybe you wondered why didn’t he give
or maybe you wondered why didn’t he give
or maybe you wondered why didn’t he give an introduction what am I supposed to be
an introduction what am I supposed to be
an introduction what am I supposed to be listening for after performing listeners
listening for after performing listeners
listening for after performing listeners will often say that was a beautiful
will often say that was a beautiful
will often say that was a beautiful concert which is really wonderful to
concert which is really wonderful to
concert which is really wonderful to hear and I’ll thank them and ask what
hear and I’ll thank them and ask what
hear and I’ll thank them and ask what did you find beautiful about it their
did you find beautiful about it their
did you find beautiful about it their eyes widen and they go silent then they
eyes widen and they go silent then they
eyes widen and they go silent then they say something like oh I don’t know I’m
say something like oh I don’t know I’m
say something like oh I don’t know I’m not a musician it was nice I just liked
not a musician it was nice I just liked
not a musician it was nice I just liked it although well-intentioned I’ve been
it although well-intentioned I’ve been
it although well-intentioned I’ve been so bothered by this because hearing that
so bothered by this because hearing that
so bothered by this because hearing that they don’t have more to say other than
they don’t have more to say other than
they don’t have more to say other than like or dislike or that they’re
like or dislike or that they’re
like or dislike or that they’re struggling to articulate their
struggling to articulate their
struggling to articulate their experience it makes me feel like they’re
experience it makes me feel like they’re
experience it makes me feel like they’re not really connecting with the music
not really connecting with the music
not really connecting with the music themselves or me but I’ve also realized
themselves or me but I’ve also realized
themselves or me but I’ve also realized that I’ve struggled to define what I
that I’ve struggled to define what I
that I’ve struggled to define what I expect and hope for when asking a
expect and hope for when asking a
expect and hope for when asking a listener about their experience so five
listener about their experience so five
listener about their experience so five years ago I fell into a deep musical
years ago I fell into a deep musical
years ago I fell into a deep musical depression because I wasn’t feeling
depression because I wasn’t feeling
depression because I wasn’t feeling connected with audiences
connected with audiences
connected with audiences I was practicing three to four hours a
I was practicing three to four hours a
I was practicing three to four hours a day and excited to share my music but
day and excited to share my music but
day and excited to share my music but after the concert there was no one to
after the concert there was no one to
after the concert there was no one to connect with on a deeper level
connect with on a deeper level
connect with on a deeper level and I began wondering why am i putting
and I began wondering why am i putting
and I began wondering why am i putting all this energy into it if no one’s
all this energy into it if no one’s
all this energy into it if no one’s gonna respond I thought music was a
gonna respond I thought music was a
gonna respond I thought music was a universal language is it just
universal language is it just
universal language is it just entertainment
entertainment
entertainment am I even a good enough musician I felt
am I even a good enough musician I felt
am I even a good enough musician I felt lost and isolated and I was considering
lost and isolated and I was considering
lost and isolated and I was considering quitting my career I needed help so I
quitting my career I needed help so I
quitting my career I needed help so I called Lisa my first flute teacher she
called Lisa my first flute teacher she
called Lisa my first flute teacher she had nurtured my passion for music in
had nurtured my passion for music in
had nurtured my passion for music in high school I felt like a huge
high school I felt like a huge
high school I felt like a huge disappointment telling her that I’m
disappointment telling her that I’m
disappointment telling her that I’m losing my fire for performing not
losing my fire for performing not
losing my fire for performing not connecting with people anymore and she
connecting with people anymore and she
connecting with people anymore and she listened so thoughtfully and kindly and
listened so thoughtfully and kindly and
listened so thoughtfully and kindly and told me something she had said when I
told me something she had said when I
told me something she had said when I was younger Jim you need to spend some
was younger Jim you need to spend some
was younger Jim you need to spend some time soul searching ask yourself what do
time soul searching ask yourself what do
time soul searching ask yourself what do you really love about music and what do
you really love about music and what do
you really love about music and what do you want to share with it I couldn’t
you want to share with it I couldn’t
you want to share with it I couldn’t remember so I set out to explore my
remember so I set out to explore my
remember so I set out to explore my connection with music in hopes of
connection with music in hopes of
connection with music in hopes of reengage in with audiences now my soul
reengage in with audiences now my soul
reengage in with audiences now my soul searching began here reflecting on the
searching began here reflecting on the
searching began here reflecting on the beginning of my musical journey at age
beginning of my musical journey at age
beginning of my musical journey at age 12 my grandma the only other musician in
12 my grandma the only other musician in
12 my grandma the only other musician in my family had a profound influence on my
my family had a profound influence on my
my family had a profound influence on my musical life she would often ask with
musical life she would often ask with
musical life she would often ask with this light in her eyes what story are
this light in her eyes what story are
this light in her eyes what story are you sharing you see she saw performance
you sharing you see she saw performance
you sharing you see she saw performance as this opportunity to share something
as this opportunity to share something
as this opportunity to share something you loved about the music your specific
you loved about the music your specific
you loved about the music your specific connection and as a kid it really
connection and as a kid it really
connection and as a kid it really inspired me to develop characters and
inspired me to develop characters and
inspired me to develop characters and stories and places that I imagined in
stories and places that I imagined in
stories and places that I imagined in the music I gave my first interactive
the music I gave my first interactive
the music I gave my first interactive recital four years ago to middle school
recital four years ago to middle school
recital four years ago to middle school students about a year into my
students about a year into my
students about a year into my soul-searching and I asked them to write
soul-searching and I asked them to write
soul-searching and I asked them to write about stories and characters that they’d
about stories and characters that they’d
about stories and characters that they’d heard in the music so while I’m playing
heard in the music so while I’m playing
heard in the music so while I’m playing pencils were furiously going in the
pencils were furiously going in the
pencils were furiously going in the audience and there’s a lot a little
audience and there’s a lot a little
audience and there’s a lot a little chatter and I’m thinking this is great
chatter and I’m thinking this is great
chatter and I’m thinking this is great what are they coming up with
what are they coming up with
what are they coming up with wait a sec these are middle school
wait a sec these are middle school
wait a sec these are middle school students why did I think this was a good
students why did I think this was a good
students why did I think this was a good idea well after the concert I talked
idea well after the concert I talked
idea well after the concert I talked with the students about their
with the students about their
with the students about their experiences and they’d all connected in
experiences and they’d all connected in
experiences and they’d all connected in different ways some ideas were similar
different ways some ideas were similar
different ways some ideas were similar and simple and others were complex and
and simple and others were complex and
and simple and others were complex and even unique one of my favorites I had
even unique one of my favorites I had
even unique one of my favorites I had played this really light-hearted snappy
played this really light-hearted snappy
played this really light-hearted snappy piece of music and a student said it
piece of music and a student said it
piece of music and a student said it reminded him of the movie Titanic how
reminded him of the movie Titanic how
reminded him of the movie Titanic how does that even happen
does that even happen
does that even happen I have no idea but why not why not
I have no idea but why not why not
I have no idea but why not why not it was his experience and it was one of
it was his experience and it was one of
it was his experience and it was one of the most inspiring fun and creative
the most inspiring fun and creative
the most inspiring fun and creative concerts I’d played in a long long time
concerts I’d played in a long long time
concerts I’d played in a long long time and I was finally feeling connected with
and I was finally feeling connected with
and I was finally feeling connected with listeners so I kept designing
listeners so I kept designing
listeners so I kept designing interactive concerts to enhance
interactive concerts to enhance
interactive concerts to enhance audiences connection with music I would
audiences connection with music I would
audiences connection with music I would ask questions and include art writing
ask questions and include art writing
ask questions and include art writing and movement activities sometimes I even
and movement activities sometimes I even
and movement activities sometimes I even went a little further as a Greek tour
went a little further as a Greek tour
went a little further as a Greek tour guide in pans harmonic labyrinth or as
guide in pans harmonic labyrinth or as
guide in pans harmonic labyrinth or as Devo James in concerto for frenemies
Devo James in concerto for frenemies
Devo James in concerto for frenemies these were about engaging and being open
these were about engaging and being open
these were about engaging and being open to creating a meaningful experience
to creating a meaningful experience
to creating a meaningful experience while intentionally listening to
while intentionally listening to
while intentionally listening to classical music then I wondered what
classical music then I wondered what
classical music then I wondered what spontaneous musical connection so to
spontaneous musical connection so to
spontaneous musical connection so to explore this I put on comfy clothes
explore this I put on comfy clothes
explore this I put on comfy clothes packed my flute and supplies and I went
packed my flute and supplies and I went
packed my flute and supplies and I went to the subways of Chicago I made this
to the subways of Chicago I made this
to the subways of Chicago I made this sign I thought the smiley face was a
sign I thought the smiley face was a
sign I thought the smiley face was a nice touch
nice touch
nice touch and I played a piece by Bach over and
and I played a piece by Bach over and
and I played a piece by Bach over and over since trains come every five to
over since trains come every five to
over since trains come every five to eight minutes it was an eye-opening
eight minutes it was an eye-opening
eight minutes it was an eye-opening experience the wind from the trains was
experience the wind from the trains was
experience the wind from the trains was constantly blowing my stands over I even
constantly blowing my stands over I even
constantly blowing my stands over I even lost some music that flew into the
lost some music that flew into the
lost some music that flew into the tracks sometimes there’d be a crowd of
tracks sometimes there’d be a crowd of
tracks sometimes there’d be a crowd of people listening and people drying and
people listening and people drying and
people listening and people drying and other times
other times
other times thirty minutes would go by and no one
thirty minutes would go by and no one
thirty minutes would go by and no one would look at me one time I invited a
would look at me one time I invited a
would look at me one time I invited a curious man to listen and add to the art
curious man to listen and add to the art
curious man to listen and add to the art and he drew and then walked away I later
and he drew and then walked away I later
and he drew and then walked away I later checked he had drawn the Nazi symbol I
was stunned and horrified all I was
was stunned and horrified all I was trying to do was encourage creativity
trying to do was encourage creativity
trying to do was encourage creativity and connection through music my heart
and connection through music my heart
and connection through music my heart was racing and I’m wondering what do I
was racing and I’m wondering what do I
was racing and I’m wondering what do I do
do
do do I cover it up and pretend that it
do I cover it up and pretend that it
do I cover it up and pretend that it just never happened maybe I should just
just never happened maybe I should just
just never happened maybe I should just pack up and go home it was so painful
pack up and go home it was so painful
pack up and go home it was so painful thinking that my music could have led to
thinking that my music could have led to
thinking that my music could have led to that
for the integrity of the experiment I
for the integrity of the experiment I chose not to change it and I ate
chose not to change it and I ate
chose not to change it and I ate actually kept playing with a sliver of
actually kept playing with a sliver of
actually kept playing with a sliver of hope that maybe someone would come by
hope that maybe someone would come by
hope that maybe someone would come by and cover it up as I kept playing people
and cover it up as I kept playing people
and cover it up as I kept playing people watched me with the most uncomfortable
watched me with the most uncomfortable
watched me with the most uncomfortable stares and I felt disconnected all over
stares and I felt disconnected all over
stares and I felt disconnected all over again
again
again this went on for 20 minutes then a
this went on for 20 minutes then a
this went on for 20 minutes then a gentleman walked by and he smiled while
gentleman walked by and he smiled while
gentleman walked by and he smiled while I played and he frowned at the poster he
I played and he frowned at the poster he
I played and he frowned at the poster he asked about the swastika I told him what
asked about the swastika I told him what
asked about the swastika I told him what had happened and about the art project
had happened and about the art project
had happened and about the art project and then I kept playing though the
and then I kept playing though the
and then I kept playing though the colors were clashing he turned the
colors were clashing he turned the
colors were clashing he turned the symbol into a Sun he said the music
symbol into a Sun he said the music
symbol into a Sun he said the music reminded him of sunshine there were
reminded him of sunshine there were
reminded him of sunshine there were countless incredible and beautiful
countless incredible and beautiful
countless incredible and beautiful moments like this and I met numerous
moments like this and I met numerous
moments like this and I met numerous Chicagoans and travelers I was typically
Chicagoans and travelers I was typically
Chicagoans and travelers I was typically playing ninety minutes where one piece
playing ninety minutes where one piece
playing ninety minutes where one piece of art was created – one piece of music
of art was created – one piece of music
of art was created – one piece of music and here are some of the creations one
and here are some of the creations one
and here are some of the creations one of my favorite responses was one of five
of my favorite responses was one of five
of my favorite responses was one of five or six year old girls she ran up and she
or six year old girls she ran up and she
or six year old girls she ran up and she said I know what you make me think of
said I know what you make me think of
said I know what you make me think of you sound like a fairy yeah as a flute
you sound like a fairy yeah as a flute
you sound like a fairy yeah as a flute player we’re most often compared to
player we’re most often compared to
player we’re most often compared to sounding like birds
sounding like birds
sounding like birds so being called a fairy was a fantastic
so being called a fairy was a fantastic
so being called a fairy was a fantastic surprise you see playing in the subways
surprise you see playing in the subways
surprise you see playing in the subways wasn’t about getting people to like
wasn’t about getting people to like
wasn’t about getting people to like classical music it was about giving them
classical music it was about giving them
classical music it was about giving them an opportunity to be present and
an opportunity to be present and
an opportunity to be present and expressive with their listening
expressive with their listening
expressive with their listening experience
yes I’m changing
yes I’m changing the presentation of classical music but
the presentation of classical music but
the presentation of classical music but what I’m really doing is reimagining the
what I’m really doing is reimagining the
what I’m really doing is reimagining the listeners role I see the listener as an
listeners role I see the listener as an
listeners role I see the listener as an active participant and collaborator in
active participant and collaborator in
active participant and collaborator in the concert I get to be creative as a
the concert I get to be creative as a
the concert I get to be creative as a performer and give you music to create
performer and give you music to create
performer and give you music to create something with this was the connection
something with this was the connection
something with this was the connection I’d been searching for all along now in
I’d been searching for all along now in
I’d been searching for all along now in four years of interactive work there are
four years of interactive work there are
four years of interactive work there are two things I’ve discovered everyone can
two things I’ve discovered everyone can
two things I’ve discovered everyone can connect with classical music you don’t
connect with classical music you don’t
connect with classical music you don’t have to have formal training though it
have to have formal training though it
have to have formal training though it may add to your enjoyment and to your
may add to your enjoyment and to your
may add to your enjoyment and to your listening experience is enough listening
listening experience is enough listening
listening experience is enough listening is something we all know how to do and
is something we all know how to do and
is something we all know how to do and it’s not about listening correctly or
it’s not about listening correctly or
it’s not about listening correctly or having a life changing musical
having a life changing musical
having a life changing musical revelation it’s about being present to
revelation it’s about being present to
revelation it’s about being present to your authentic experience and finding
your authentic experience and finding
your authentic experience and finding your own meaning in the music i define
your own meaning in the music i define
your own meaning in the music i define creative listening as awakening your
creative listening as awakening your
creative listening as awakening your imagination and being open to your
imagination and being open to your
imagination and being open to your innate creativity and exploratory
innate creativity and exploratory
innate creativity and exploratory experiences that connect you with music
experiences that connect you with music
experiences that connect you with music it takes the creative performance and
it takes the creative performance and
it takes the creative performance and the imaginative listening and fuses them
the imaginative listening and fuses them
the imaginative listening and fuses them together into a shared creative
together into a shared creative
together into a shared creative experience where we become collaborators
now I’m really excited to share a
now I’m really excited to share a musical story with you today in all of
musical story with you today in all of
musical story with you today in all of our intellectual stimulation and
our intellectual stimulation and
our intellectual stimulation and note-taking at this conference we’re
note-taking at this conference we’re
note-taking at this conference we’re going to pause now and share in a
going to pause now and share in a
going to pause now and share in a collaborative listening experience and
collaborative listening experience and
collaborative listening experience and your role is simple listen really listen
your role is simple listen really listen
your role is simple listen really listen listen with intention and our busy lives
listen with intention and our busy lives
listen with intention and our busy lives we’re struggling to be present with the
we’re struggling to be present with the
we’re struggling to be present with the music and ourselves so the creativity
music and ourselves so the creativity
music and ourselves so the creativity and connection that we crave as human
and connection that we crave as human
and connection that we crave as human beings isn’t being fulfilled so today I
beings isn’t being fulfilled so today I
beings isn’t being fulfilled so today I invite you to be mindful and engage in
invite you to be mindful and engage in
invite you to be mindful and engage in this experience
this experience
this experience be open to your first reaction does the
be open to your first reaction does the
be open to your first reaction does the music remind you of something in your
music remind you of something in your
music remind you of something in your past or does it take you somewhere new
past or does it take you somewhere new
past or does it take you somewhere new in your imagination and be open to where
in your imagination and be open to where
in your imagination and be open to where your creativity takes you join the
your creativity takes you join the
your creativity takes you join the musics journey ask yourself questions
musics journey ask yourself questions
musics journey ask yourself questions about characters emotions stories colors
about characters emotions stories colors
about characters emotions stories colors dancing whatever it is that inspires you
now on either side of me we have some
now on either side of me we have some empty canvases and some markers and
empty canvases and some markers and
empty canvases and some markers and while listening ask yourself what does
while listening ask yourself what does
while listening ask yourself what does the music make me think of then during
the music make me think of then during
the music make me think of then during this 3-minute performance I invite you
this 3-minute performance I invite you
this 3-minute performance I invite you to go up and draw write or color
to go up and draw write or color
to go up and draw write or color whatever comes to you and multiple
whatever comes to you and multiple
whatever comes to you and multiple people can be drawing it once so don’t
people can be drawing it once so don’t
people can be drawing it once so don’t be shy afterwards share your experience
be shy afterwards share your experience
be shy afterwards share your experience with one another connect on a deeper
with one another connect on a deeper
with one another connect on a deeper level and strengthen this community
level and strengthen this community
level and strengthen this community through music it’s time we reimagine our
through music it’s time we reimagine our
through music it’s time we reimagine our connection to music as listeners because
connection to music as listeners because
connection to music as listeners because when we do were present to creativity
when we do were present to creativity
when we do were present to creativity expression and connection with each
expression and connection with each
expression and connection with each other and ourselves happy creating and
other and ourselves happy creating and
other and ourselves happy creating and thanks for listening
[Laughter]
[Laughter] [Music]
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