The season one finale of Trilloquy features a conversation between Garrett and Am're Ford, who works as a composer, educator and founding director of a nonprofit arts organization. Ford shares his perspective on music education and discusses what he’s learned from starting a summer arts program. Garrett and Scott also share some big news about the future of Trilloquy. Episode PlaylistNaughty by Nature - "O.P.P."Steely Dan - "Black Cow"Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - "Deja Vu"Drake -...

After fighting against classical music’s rigidly outdated practices as a music teacher, composer and euphoniumist John DelVento decided to take his talents into the world of commercial film and TV music. He chats with Garrett and Scott in this opus about what led to that shift, and he offers his advice for music educators seeking a relevant way to introduce new students to instrumental performance. In honor of 4/20, Garrett and Scott spend the prelude exploring the intersection of classical...

This opus of Trilloquy features part two of a conversation with Maestro Brandon Keith Brown, who filed a racial discrimination suit after he was fired as Brown University’s music director back in 2017. Since then, he’s conducted orchestras in several countries, and he chats with Garrett about how racism in classical music isn’t just an American issue – it’s a global one. Episode PlaylistWolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 10 More”Former Brown University Orchestra Director Alleges...

In 2017, Maestro Brandon Keith Brown was named music director at Brown University. A few weeks later, he was fired. The resulting racial discrimination suit that he filed in 2019 has opened up some interesting conversations in the world of classical music. In this opus, Brandon shares his side of the story with Garrett. Garrett and Scott open up this opus with a look at the ongoing impact of social distancing. More”Brown University music director claims racial bias in 2017 firing” (Providence...

Orchestras are starting to program more works by women and composers of color, but today those performances are nearly outnumbered by the programming of works by a single composer: Beethoven. That's just one of the surprising statistics professor Rob Deemer has discovered through his work with the Institute for Composer Diversity. He joins Garrett and Scott in this opus to talk numbers and explore why orchestras may want to program “a little less Beethoven.” ...

According to musician and arts administrator Janis Lane-Ewart, the best way to keep the spirit of Women’s History Month alive year-round is by sparking a sense of curiosity about ALL the women in your life. In this opus, she chats with Garrett about her experiences in music to conclude Trilloquy’s look at Women’s History. Garrett and Scott also offer a few of their Women’s History Month stand-outs, and they conclude the opus with a Janis-dedicated performance by pianist Lara Downes. Episode...

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a huge impact on the financial wellness of musicians. In this opus, Garrett and Scott share ways that you can support artists during the crisis. This opus also features a conversation with Blair Tindall, author of Mozart in the Jungle, and a peek into the new album by Singapore-based bassoonist Jo Anne Sukumaran! Episode PlaylistModest Mussorgsky - “Tuileries (Children's Quarrel after Games)” from Pictures at an ExhibitionJo Anne Sukumaran - The Night...

Being one of the few black woman conductors in the world isn’t the only thing that sets Kalena Bovell apart. In this opus, she chats with Garrett and Scott about her journey to the podium and her deep admiration for metal! To frame the conversation, Garrett and Scott draw connections between rock and classical, and they shout out the black woman who codified the sound of rock ’n’ roll guitar: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Episode PlaylistLudwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” (arr....

In February 2019, Garrett recorded his very first Trilloquy conversation with Katie Brown and Dalanie Harris, hosts of the “Classically Black” podcast. The two return in this opus to chat with Garrett and Scott about the benefits and challenges of hosting a classical music podcast, and they offer their perspectives on real solutions to classical music’s lack of diversity. Episode PlaylistDobrinka Tabakova – Concerto for Cello and StringsJessie Montgomery – StarburstAnna S. Thorvaldsdóttir –...

Garrett and Scott wrap up Black History Month with improvisatory composer Davu Seru, who joins them for an in-depth conversation on black history, community, literature, gardening, and music! Seru and deVon Russell Gray share a live improvisation at the end of this opus. In the prelude, Garrett and Scott respond to listener requests by revisiting a previous conversation regarding The American Rhapsody. Episode PlaylistSamuel Coleridge-Taylor – African Dance No. 1Samuel Coleridge-Taylor/Aaron...

Composer Dameun Strange’s Mother King tells the story of Alberta Williams King, who was murdered in her church six years after the assassination of her son, Martin Luther King Jr. In this opus, Dameun sits with Garrett to discuss his background in community activism and the origins of his opera. deVon Russell Gray and Sarah M. Greer conclude the opus with a performance of Dameun’s composition Dream Variations. Episode Playlist George Frideric Handel – “And He Shall Purify” (from...

How do you define jazz? Should it sit side-by-side with “classical” music in the concert hall? At what point does the act of incorporating elements of jazz become cultural appropriation? In this opus, Garrett and Scott explore these questions and discuss jazz’s connection to black music and Black History Month. The two also recap their recent trip to Detroit for the 5th annual SphinxConnect conference, billed as the “epicenter for artists and leaders in diversity.” Garrett and Scott send “get...

In 2019, PaviElle French decided to engage both her native Saint Paul community and her hometown orchestra by writing her first “classical” composition. The result was a touching ode to her mother called A Requiem for Zula. At its premiere, Garrett noticed something very interesting – the audience was more diverse than he’d ever seen! In this opus, Garrett and Scott kick off Black History Month in a chat with PaviElle about how this performance served as a catalyst to strengthen the...

In response to criticism from attendees at a concert in late 2019, the Minnesota Orchestra took another look at its engagement with audiences of color. Garrett, who was very vocal about this infamous performance, addresses his concerns with Sam Bergman, a violist and 20-year member of the orchestra. In this opus, Sam discusses his journey as a musician, shares his social media strategy, and gives an inside look at the audition process at one of the nation’s great orchestras. In the prelude,...

Will Van De Crommert isn’t just a composer – he composes specifically for film, television, web, and advertising! In this opus, Will chats with Garrett and Scott about what it means to be a commercial composer and potential pivot points for making classical music programming align closer with the sounds he creates for a living. Will is joined in the conversation by cellist Vela Farquharson, who offers her unique perspective as a commercial music performer. The opus concludes with a sneak-peek...

In summer 2019, classical-guitarist-turned-radio-personality Melissa Dundis moved from her hometown of Omaha, Neb., to join the classical team at American Public Media! She’s experienced a lot since coming to the Twin Cities, and in this opus Garrett and Scott invite her to Studio B for a laid-back chat about those experiences and her new role. The three also cover their personal philosophies on classical music programming and what it means to “sound” like a classical radio DJ, and they each...

It’s becoming much more common to hear classical music written by women and people of color. Yet, there’s still a disconnect between the growing popularity of this music and its presence in academic curricula. Garrett Schumann is on a mission to change this. The award-winning composer, music theorist, and arts administrator runs the ÆPEX Contemporary Performance project, a concert series and online anthology that serves as a resource for institutions looking to explore diversity – historical...

What was your favorite opus of Trilloquy in 2019? In the first opus of the new year, Garrett and Scott chat about their favorite Trilloquy moments from the past year and highlight what they’re looking forward to in 2020. In addition to recapping the first year of Trilloquy, the guys recount some of their other favorite moments and achievements from 2019, and they premiere the show’s new musical theme! Happy New Year! Episode PlaylistLeonard Bernstein - Overture to CandideJoaquin Rodrigo -...

Kwanzaa is a holiday that you’ve probably heard of, but do you know much else about it? There’s one very important thing you should know: it’s everything BUT a ‘Black Christmas.’ In this special holiday opus, Garrett and Scott explore Kwanzaa by reviewing its guiding principles and applying them to their lives, classical music, and other types of music along the way. The two also talk about Christmas in relation to black traditions and black culture. Special shout-out to JaJaime from one of...

What does inclusion look like in a women’s choir? The directors of Twin Cities-based Her Voice Productions discuss their efforts to affirm and empower the diverse voices of women through choral performance. In this opus, executive director Elisa Olson and artistic directors Janice Hunton and Randi Grundahl Rexroth explore the inherently political nature of their work. Garrett and Scott recount their respective relationships with choral music and Christmas in the prelude. This opus concludes...

There’s a lot that Garrett misses from his days as an orchestral musician, but one thing he doesn’t miss is dealing with conductors! Over time, he’s managed to meet a few conductors that he gets along with, including Maestro Joshua Weilerstein. In this opus, Garrett chats with Josh about his rise to fame as a conductor, his techniques for being more useful as a leader, and the challenges of programming new music for European orchestras. In the prelude, Garrett tells Scott about his...

In a world of string quartets, symphonies and sonatas, the art of songwriting maintains its status as one of the most important modes of musical expression. In this opus, Garrett and Scott chat with Kashimana Ahua ⁠— a singer-songwriter, composer, producer, lyricist and artist from West Africa who found a new home ⁠— and so much more ⁠— after moving to Minnesota. In the prelude, the guys recall some of their favorite songs and briefly discuss a work that was originally titled “The N-----...

Aside from family, friends and food, Thanksgiving is a time of year some find a little challenging due to the way it has perpetuated a false narrative concerning Indigenous communities and European colonizers. In this opus, Garrett and Scott chat with George Maurer on this subject. He’s a world-traveling composer who has made authentic connections with communities everywhere, including some of North America’s Indigenous reservations. In the prelude, the hosts talk about their relationships...

Music therapy is a corner of classical music that most people don’t know much about, yet it’s a field that’s an essential part of countless lives! In this opus, Garrett and Scott chat with music therapists Claire Klein and Lyndie Walker, who specialize in childhood development and hospice care. The conversation even touches on the importance of diversity and cultural competency in music therapy. In the prelude, Scott honors his late friend Bob Christiansen, whose career as a radio host...