Common Ground emerged as an idea I had for bolstering LGBTQ voices in Boston's classical music scene at a pivotal point in our careers.
Made possible by a grant from New England Conservatory's Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program, this project challenged traditional narratives by amplifying artistic voices across time, spanning the different lived experiences of our marginalized communities.
The grant played a crucial role, providing both financial support and institutional backing to realize a vision that sought to redefine the boundaries of classical music performance and audience engagement.
The inaugural/ standalone concert centered on creating a collage of LGBTQ+ identities and fostering a secure listening space, where narratives of identity formation are illuminated through the music itself.
This focus offered a multifaceted exploration of representation in classical music, embodying the grant's ethos of encouraging musical entrepreneurship and risk-taking.
Although conceived as a one-time event, Common Ground's impact resonates beyond its singular occurrence.
It served as a proof of concept, demonstrating the potential for classical music to act as a vehicle for social dialogue and community building, allowing the musicians to utilize that experience and incorporate these learnings into future work. This showcased the transformative power of targeted arts funding in shaping the future of classical music presentation.