Explore every episode of the podcast classicalqueer

We welcome to the show this month the amazing OperaQ from Toronto. They are in the process of making a queer-led Indie Operatic film about the life of Julie d’Aubigny or Mademoiselle de Maupin. You really have to read about her life as a transgressive opera singer and swordsman. 

We talked to the company about the film and what it means to them to produce an Opera about such a larger-tha-life character.

So come take a listen, find out about Julie and her life as well as French Baroque Opera. I learnt so much!

We are excited to have two guests on this months CQ podcast. The first is the composer Trey Makler who tells fantastic stories with his music. The second guest and making a return to the show is Saxophonist Nick May. Jacob and I had a great time talking with the two of them and in particular about a new work written for Nick by Trey.

Do take a listen!

We welcome cellist, composer, vocalist and improviser India Gailey to this months CQ podcast. India is a multi-talented artist who works across musical genres as well as dance and other art forms.

 

During the show we discuss India's work, her influences and her recent album Problematica. The music from the album and the range of the Cello in this work has to be heard to be believed. Truly amazing. Oh and we have a fun time as well!

 

 

Something a little different this month as Jacob and I interview Charlotte and Bien from Trash Panda Brass - a queer brass band residing in Toronto. Formed in 2022 the band have made quite an impact in the brass band scene with their exciting and joyful arrangements of modern pop classics.

 

We had a wonderful time talking and laughing with them about their work and music in general. You will love their arrangements! Of course you have to listen to find out the origin of their name!

Jacob and I are excited to introduce you to the Gay4Nature collective. Based in Canada they work at the intersection of queer identity and climate justice - a unique combination.

We had a wonderful time talking to the founders Anna Bigland-Pritchard and Alex Chen. We covered a wide range of topics including their new work, Green, of which we hear a preview. Stay to the end to hear a queer version of the coffee cantata! Amazing!

 

It was a great pleasure to welcome back Eveshka Ghost to the podcast. She recently released her new film "Broken Eyes" - for which she not only wrote the music but also wrote and directed the film. 

 

We not only discuss the film but delve into Eveshka's quite unique way of writing and playing music. To be honest, I am in awe of her abilities as a composer and musician and I really have no idea how she does it in the way she does. Take a listen to find out more.

Jacob and I had a great time interviewing Opera singer and theatre creator Teiya Kasahara. Teiya not only has the most fantastic voice but uses it so creatively to explore the various aspects of gender, sexuality and race all within an often amusing operatic artform. There is little doubt that they are a rising star in the operatic world.

I know you will enjoy listening to this podcast!

On this month's Classical Queer Podcast we welcome composer and performer Zachery Meier. We talked to him about his life as a flutist (or flautist and definitely not flootist) and his wonderful compositions. Jacob and I had a great time talking with Zachery and I learnt a lot about the combination of flute and tuba - it works!

Come and take a listen to some fantastic music that for me pushed the boundaries of what a flute can do.

 

 

Something a little different this month. Jacob talks to some students about their music and also takes us behind the scenes during practice. It is nice to hear young musicians talk about their lives and how music fits into it.

So do take a listen.

 

For our first podcast of 2024 Jacob and I are so pleased to welcome Hub New Music to the show. Hub New Music are a string and wind quartet who have been called "contemporary chamber trailblazers" through their fresh and exciting music.

We interviewed two of the four members Mike Avitabile (flutes) and Meg Rohrer (violin/viola) - they are joined in Hub by Gleb Kanasevich (clarinets) and Jesse Christeson (cello).

So do join us for a fun and may I say joyous hour of conversation and music. 

In 2022 we interviewed Australian composer Matt Webster about his upcoming work "This too shall pass" about his life and struggle with Bipolar disorder.

Since then Matt has been orchestrating and recording the work and it was released a few days ago. The work is a labour of love and deals with such important issues that affect so many people.

We therefore thought it a good time to talk to Matt again about how the work developed and how it's been received. The outcome you will see is an amazing musical experience.

Please note the podcast contains references to menatl health issues and suicide.

When thinking of the world of classical music one does not normally think of the Saxophone. Well, Nick May is here to change your mind.

Jacob and I had the great pleasure of interviewing Nick who's amazing virtuosity is displayed in the 3 pieces we listened to. It really opened my eyes to the world of classical sax.

As usual we discussed a wide range of subjects including Nick's project to promote innovative queer music called "I Exist". Do take a listen, you won't be disappointed.

If you are like me you have a soft spot for musicals then you are in for a real treat this month. Jacob and I had the great pleasure to interview composer, musical director and improviser Jordan Paul Clarke.

Come listen to some great songs including one about two people in a home for the elderly trying to come to terms with facebook and you shouldn't miss the excerpt from Jordan's musical about Salmon tying to escape from a farm. Enjoy fantastic music combined with witty lyrics and the British sense of humour  in a really enetertaining show.

Don't miss it!

I have had the pleasure of interviewing many great musicians and composers over the past two years but I came to realise that I had never talked music with my co-host Jacob Caines. He amazingly agreed to be interviewed by me.

So here is Jacob talking about his work as a musicologist, conductor and musician. As usual we had lots of laughs and talked about a wide range of subjects.

 

... and no, don't worry I won't be interviewed next! Sammi

Classical Queer 27 sees the return to the show of Rylan Gleave who was one of the first guests we had on the CQ podcast and since then Rylan's career has flourished.

Here we discuss his new work called "In Chemical Transit" by All Men Unto Me. This very unique work details the change in Rylan's voice during his transition. As is usual we talk about a wide range of issues covering the whole range of the queer experience - oh and of course we laugh a lot!

 

Do take a listen!

On this month's podcast Jacob and I talk to the brilliant American violinist Andrew Sords. Andrew has travelled the world and played with over 300 orchestras. He has a wide-ranging repertoire of work including solo and recital works  as well as with his trio.

 

As usual we listened to some great music and talked widely about music, politics and of course Andrew's dancing.

 

Do take a listen!

This month, the classicalqueer podcast was on location at the Unison Choir Festival held in Halifax, Canada. The festival brought together 1500 queer singers from across the country to sing and connect.   Jacob had the opportunity to listen to performances as well as talk with one of the festival choir conductors, Deirdre Kellerman as well as sitting on a rehersal.   Come take a look behind the scenes of a fantastic festival.      

For CQ Episode 24 we crossed the world to Australia to talk to composer, pianist and conductor Kym Dillon who is currently based in Melbourne and Geelong. Starting out her career as a jazz pianist, Kym’s interest soon turned to composition, and her work now regularly spans multiple genres and areas of musical practice.

 

We had a great time chatting with Kym and talking about her work as well as having lots of laughs and a generally fun time. We hope you take a listen.

 

 

Back in November 2021 Jacob and I had the pleasure of interviewing composer and instrumentalist Florence Anna Maunders. Since then her career has moved forward in leaps and bounds. So we thought it was time to invite her back on the show and find out what she has been doing.

 

We talk about her work and awards over the last year and listen to three recent compositions. As usual we discuss a wide range of topics and talk about upcoming work. Do take a listen.

Jacob and I welcome to the show Canadian Composer Stuart Beatch. Stuart specialises in choral music and has had his work performed across North America and Europe. During the show we listen to three pieces all of which need to be listened to not only for their choral beauty but for the story they tell - which is surely the sign of great composing.

 

We of course talk about music, the state of the world and pretty much everything in between. Jacob and I had a great time talking with Stuart so do take a listen.

Credits

"a boy & a boy", performed by Pro Coro Canada (Michael Zaugg, dir), recorded September 2022    "The Letter" from "I am like many", performed by The Fourth Choir (Dominic Ellis-Peckham, dir), EP release from 2019   "Preserves" from "Still Running", performed by tenor Tim Carter and pianist Kimberley-Ann Bartczak, recorded August 2022

 

For our first episode of 2023 we welcome the Swedish Opera company Man Must Sing to the show. They  commission, produce and perform newly written, norm-creative opera in Swedish all aimed at important topics in today's world.

 

In this show we look at two works in particular, one a queer childrens opera (must be a first!) and the second about polyamory.

 

I had a lot of fun recording this show and meeting the company. Do take a look at their online shows - they are brilliant and funny even though you may not understand the language  and anyway when has that stopped anyone listening to Verdi?

For our Christmas/New Year show we are delighted to welcome members of the Opéra Queens to the CQ podcast. Opéra Queens provides queer opera performances for BIPoC/IBPoC performers, creators & audiences while connecting the cultural hubs of Toronto and Montréal as well as online audiences worldwide! 

 

The interview is really fun and shows the energy that the Queens bring to their shows. After you have listened to the podcast do check out their online performances!

 

(note: sadly I (Sammi) was ill for the recording and missed the fun but that means you get to hear more of Jacob and that can't be bad) 

We are delighted to have bassist and composer Kebra-Seyoun Charles on this month's podcast. Keb is not your conventional bassist having a rare talent for engaging directly with his audience. But as you will hear in the podcast his repertoire stretches from Mozart through to modern compositions as well as his own work.

 

As usual we covered a wide-range of subjects but throughout Keb's joy and humour shines through. Do take a listen.

This month we are pleased to welcome Australian award winning composer Matt Webster to the show. We discuss Matt's background and listen to his new work, This Too Shall Pass, a very personal work about his struggles with mental illness. 

The work, due for release soon, has already sparked a great deal of interest not only for it's great musicality - it is simply brilliant -  but also for it's focus on the fight against mental illness. It was the subject of a very successful crowdfunder and caught the imagination of many.

As we discuss a difficult and not often talked about subject in an open manner some may find it triggering but it is a subject that we feel needs to be discussed. Have we said the music is fantastic and your getting an early preview?

 

On this month's show Jacob and Sammi welcome Conductor and Musical Director Matthew Salvaggio to the programme. Matt founded the Clevland Repertory Orchestra in 2001 which he formed to place an emphasis on new music and those historically excluded from the classical repertoire. If that isn't enough he is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Erie Junior Philharmonic, Music Director of the Euclid Symphony Orchestra and Director of Orchestras at Mercyhurst University.

 

His artistic collaborations have included members of the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and more. So do join us for CQ episode 17.

On our show this month Jacob and Sammi are pleased to welcome bass-baritone Sam Taskinen to the show.  Sam has a wonderful deep resonant voice that really engages. As a trained dancer she has fantastic stage presence that brings life to her characters and provides an extra level of emotion.

 

We talk about a wide range of topics including her native Finnish music, transitioning and her love of performance. Come take a listen.

This month Jacob and Sammi welcome Symon Henry to the Classical Queer Podcast. Symon is a multi-disciplinary artist covering music, poetry and the visual arts. Their use of sound paintings combined with a sound world flavoured by Egyptian roots leads to an engaging audio-visual experience.

 

We chat about Symon's new piano works, music influences and the world of queer classical music. Join us! 

On this month's show Jacob meets up with multidisciplinary artist Andrew Noseworthy while on a road trip in Montreal. Andrew's work is wide-ranging covering everything from hard and experimental rock through to modern classical and avant garde music. Much of his work draws on his experience in the Labrador and Newfoundland regions of Canada.   Enjoy the podcast.

We have a double-header for you this month on the CQ podcast.

Sammi talks to Andy Jih, violinist and President of the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. They discuss the history of the symphony, it's role in promoting queer musicians and where it's heading in the future.

American Canadian Cellist, composer and multidisciplinary artist India Gailey has a new album of work out called "to you through". Jacob takes a listen to two of the works in the second half of the show.

 

Welcome to our first anniversary - this is our 12th episode and it has been a lot of fun for us and I hope for you, the listener. 

This month we welcome singer, musician, songwriter and all-around artist Sarah McCabe. As you will hear, Sarah, who is also know by the professional name HENDRA, makes a wide-variety of music covering almost every genre. In our wide-ranging discusson we talk about everything from performing at open mics to the future of automation in music and to the use of squeaky toys by the percussionist.

So do come join us.

Jacob and Sammi are this month talking to librettist, writer and creator, Aiden Feltkamp. In the show we discuss Aiden's new anthology of music for trans voices, the first of it's kind. We also discuss two of Aiden's projects that can not be more different. One is an instagram opera about a space station while the other deals with the holocaust. Come and take a listen.

On this month's show Jacob and Sammi chat with the fantastic Canadian Mezzo-Soprano Rose Naggar Tremblay. Her voice will blow you away with it's expressive nature and power. 

There is more, however, to Rose than just her singing prowess as we found out when we caught up with Rose during her whirlwind trip around Europe. So join us to find out more.

On this month's show Sammi will be talking to two composers about recently released new works and featuring excerpts from their albums. The first  composer is Rufus Isabel Elliot who has put out an album of music telling the story of two characters on a never ending beach. The album has a Scottish highlands feel to it.

The second composer is Eveshka Ghost and her release of Chocolat, an album of improvised piano pieces. We discuss her writing method and also talk about her upcoming work Matilda.

We look forward to your company.

This month Jacob interviews composer, vocalist, improvisor and drag artist Gabriel Dharmoo about his work. While Samantha interviews Rylan Gleave about a newly released vocal piece recorded both pre- and post-transition.

Join us for our monthly look at the Classical Queer music scene.

 

On this months podcast Jacob and I interview multi-award winning composer and instrumentalist Florence Anna Maunders. Her compositions are influenced by her identity as a trans woman and the formative experiences of her transition. As you will also hear her music is influenced by many types of contemporary music such as dubstep and jazz.   She is also a teacher, musician and conductor. Flori's work is seen as innovative, progressive and super-cool and has over the past few years won many awards.   As you will hear the subjects discussed ranged far and wide including the vampire hamster discussion - you just have to listen!

Jacob and I were really pleased to interview Arizona-based composer and musician Colin Nossek. Colin creates fantastically diverse music and seamlessly integrates different genre's into great music. Here we listen to three of his pieces which highlight his approach.

Just to add that Jacob and I had a great time chatting and it must be said "having a laugh" with Colin and we could have made a program twice as long! 

In this episode Jacob talks to award winning and multi-talented composer/musician Gene Knific. Gene works in multiple genres including classical, jazz and rock. If that is not enough he also works at the Voice Lab in Chicago provide music and speech lessons for the queer community.

Jacob and I are really pleased to have on the show one of Australia's leading Queer artists, Evan Lawson.  Evan's work has been described as "bar-to-bar beautiful" and has even been spoken in the same breath as Mahler and if that isn't enough Evan is a renowned conductor partiuclarly of Opera music. However, what sets Evan apart  is his outspoken solidarity for first nation and LGBT+ people and we are really looking forward to talking with him.

In the first half of the podcast Jacob interviews  the talented Lief Mosbaugh, principal oboist at the Kitchener-Waterloo symphony, about his passion for music.   In the second part Jacob and I listen to a couple of pieces from Canadian-American composer Jared MIller who's works have been called playful, hypnotic and even phantasmagorical. So join us as we explore the world of queer classical music.

In this Episode we talk to  a group of young trans composers based in the UK. They have just released an EP of vocal tracks about the trans experience.

Your hosts are Jacob Cairns (composer, teacher and musician) and Samantha Jane Smith (radio presenter and classical music enthusiast).

Welcome to the first Classical Queer podcast. The podcast aimed at the queer community and those that love classical music. We will be interviewing queer composers and exploring the world of queer classical music.

Your hosts are Jacob Cairns (composer, teacher and musician) and Samantha Jane Smith (radio presenter and classical music enthusiast).