Castle of our Skins
Student Repertoire Commissioning Project Collection
Reflections of the Unseen PerusalScore
For String Ensemble Score
The Student Repertoire Commission Project seeks to expand our contributions to new, ageappropriate music by African diasporic composers for young learners. Previously, our work in this area included a partnership with Rising Tide Music Press and Boston Public School (20222025), through which we produced 16 new works for young musicians (six wind ensemble, six choir, and four string/guitar ensemble pieces).
As part of the project, Castle of our Skins will commission an African diasporic composer to create new works for young musicians from a youth music education partner (either a strings or choir program). The new composition will be accompanied by a culturally-responsive curriculum guide, developed by a Castle of our Skins teaching artist and taught to participating young musicians.
By the end of the academic year, the new composition will be performed and/or recorded by the youth music education partner at a concert of choice. After the final performance, both the composition and curriculum guide will be published and made globally available through Castle of our Skins’ online store.
The new compositions and accompanying curriculum aim to meet the following goals and objectives:
Provide educators with culturally responsive pedagogical tools and materials
Introduce and expose young musicians to a diverse range of contemporary African diasporic composers
Contribute to a growing catalogue of accessible music for young musicians across various musical styles.
Mirror the rich and culturally diverse landscape in America while helping emerging Black composers publish their works.
Facilitate creative thought and interaction with the themes present in each of the compositions.
About This Collection PerusalScore
Meet The Creatives
COMPOSER — Maxwell Fairman
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Maxwell Fairman is a violinist and composer based in Boston. Fairman is a 2026 Sphinx Competition Senior Division semifinalist. He also appeared as a soloist with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra in 2024 and 2025, under the direction of Christopher Wilkins. As a composer, Fairman has received commissions from the NEC Chamber Orchestra, Castle of Our Skins, and had his music performed by the Boston Landmarks Orchestra.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPER — Maya Giles
Maya “Maestra” Giles is a violinist, teaching artist and music technologist based in Maryland. Holding a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Master of Music in Music Production, Technology and Innovation, she creates accessible space in classical music through her artist-scholar work at the intersection of performance, research, education, and innovative re-invention.
SCHOOL/EDUCATION PARTNER — Boston Latin Academy
Boston Latin Academy, part of the Boston Public Schools, has a 143-year history of academic excellence with an outstanding rate of college placement The mission of Boston Latin Academy is to prepare students for higher academic study by challenging them with a rigorous curriculum. Our Classical and Liberal Arts education allows students to become successful participants in a diverse and challenging society.
CASTLE OF OUR SKINS
Castle of our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present. Learn more about Castle of our Skins' educational and performing work by visiting www.Castleskins.org
Program Notes PerusalScore
Reflections of the Unseen tells a story:
“A man spends another Friday night sitting alone in his apartment. The low hum of traffic rises from the street below, and the dim glow of his phone illuminates his face. As he scrolls through social media out of boredom, he sees an ad for a party. He decides to attend in an attempt to lift his mood.
When he arrives to the party, he meets a woman. They begin to flirt and dance with each other. However, as the night devolves into chaos, the woman gets lost in the crowd. The music ramps up, and it begins to hurt the man's ears. As more people pour into the building, the temperature rises. The man's head starts to spin. He leaves the party by himself with his ears ringing, and he feels even lonelier than before.”
The piece takes inspiration from modernism, impressionism, jazz, and the African rhythm tresillo. Input from Boston Latin Academy students mostly informed the "party section" of the piece. The students were interested in having melodies that pass to each other, percussive textures for the bassists, Afrobeats influence, and a fast section with a waltz-like feel. Listen for these details as you experience Reflections of the Unseen.
Re ectionsoftheUnseen
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tap the top rhythm on your bass, stomp the bottom rhythm (half notes) with one foot
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Vln
Vla
Vc.
Vln I
Vln II
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Vc.
D.B.
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