Being a talented baritone and a strong advocate of social issues, Brian Mummert’s passion for and dedication to classical music is evident and seen in his performances and work with ChamberQUEER. As one of the founders of the organization, Brian shares with us the message and goals of ChamberQUEER, including the dedication that goes into each concert. We are so honored to be able to share his stories and experiences with you, and to have been able to chat with him.

ChamberQUEER defines itself as having the goal of “allowing LGBTQ+ voices in classical music to be highlighted, creating intersectionally inclusive spaces, and applying a queer lens to the experience of classical music in the 21st century.” The organization’s programming is full of pieces that challenge the traditional canon of chamber music, break musical precedent, and allow for queer voices to be heard. 

Brian shares with us an excerpt of ChamberQUEER’s mashup of Thomas Tallis’s and Caroline Shaw’s “In manus tuas” from their first festival in June 2019. Brian speaks to us about the process and inspiration behind creating such a piece, including discussing the importance of breaking such musical precedent and rules as mentioned.

Talented, with a true love for her craft, cellist Carrie Bean Stute’s passion for chamber music and her connection with her audience is highly reflected in the work she does with the Chiarina Chamber Players. As the co-founder and co-artistic director of the organization, Carrie shares with us Chiarina’s ethos and the passion that is poured into each concert. We are so honored to share her stories and experiences with you and to have been able to chat with her.

The Chiarina Chamber Players organization defines itself as a “hybrid,” between a self-presenting concert series and a performers’ collective. Chiarina’s programming holds a mix of traditionally considered classical chamber repertoire (e.g. Brahms), alongside new music and some lesser-known composers. One of their goals is to feature composers of color and composers of varied backgrounds (including, but not limited to immigrants and women). 

One exciting recent project is a commission and premiere by Carlos Simon—whose music is additionally featured in this episode—the current composer-in-residence at the Kennedy Center: a project which was funded by Chamber Music America. For 2022-23 Chiarina Chamber Players is slated to start some educational outreach in neighborhood schools and over at THEARC, which extends their community outreach to a younger set.

Raul Aranas is a guitarist, composer, and actor. He has appeared in theatrical productions including Miss Saigon, The King and I, and Flower Drum Song, as well as TV productions including Law & Order and The Blacklist.

Born in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, Raul shares with us the culture, music, artists, and experiences that shaped his childhood and his musicianship and musicality. He expresses his great love and passion for jazz music, and provides valuable insights into the songwriting and production process of his original album Cool Blue. 

Check out Raul's original eclectic album Cool Blue on Spotify and Apple Music.
To learn more about Raul's theater and acting experiences, please visit his personal pages on Playbill and IMDb!
To learn more about Concerts in Motion, the nonprofit organization Raul performs with, check out their website at Concerts in Motion!

Your feedback is important to us. Check out our website at thewholenotepodcast.org to see more about Raul Aranas and other episodes.

Music in this episode: 
- "Flamingo Nights" written by Raul Aranas. 
- Podcast intro, segue  and outro music was composed and produced by Amy Baskurt and Heather Wang.