FEBRUARY 2021 | VOL.1
SOUND ECOLOGIES An Indiana Music Artist Collective
Links to check out:
What We've Been Up To:
AMAZON: FISH MUSIC
WRITTEN BY CHARISSA GARRIGUS
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Welcome to our first newsletter! Thank you so much for your support of Sound
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Ecologies and all we stand for. We have lots to tell you about! In March of last year, we
RANDOM ACTS OF
officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Indiana. We've also
MUSIC
formed a phenomenal board of directors that have really helped us start down the path towards success.
SOUND ECOLOGIES WEBSITE
Though this past year was certainly intense, Sound Ecologies has accomplished quite a few successes in spite of everything! Before the pandemic hit, we were able to host
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several concerts at the beautiful Salem United Methodist Church in Zionsville, Indiana,
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including a concert of commissioned works by local composers inspired by endangered
ECOLOGIES
species. The pandemic has put a damper on live concerts currently, but that hasn't stopped us or our musicians from making the best of things. Many of our artists have
UPCOMING VIRTUAL
participated in virtual performances and music videos. If you are interested in seeing
CONCERT ON MARCH
these performances, Classical Music Indy (linked in the sidebar) posts them both on
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Facebook and Youtube for your enjoyment. It certainly has been challenging to adjust to new media, but it's been informative and fun as well. In addition to those performances hosted by CMI, Sound Ecologies had its own first virtual concert.
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2021 | VOL.1
Taking place on December 13th at Salem UMC, this concert
Another initiative we've begun includes performances at local
featured two exceptional guitarists premiering entirely new
venues. In the fall, guitarist Joe Jones gave a fantastic concert
works by local composers Luke Garrigus, Joe Jones, Darrin
at Richard's Brick Oven Pizza in Franklin, Indiana. Small
Isaac, and Logan Purcell. Guitarists Joe Jones and Logan
businesses are so very important, and we love partnering
Purcell performed. This concert was given as a benefit for the
with them in order to bring classical music to new places.
United Methodist Children's Home in Lebanon, Indiana.
This initiative also included a performance at a voter
Through generous donations from viewers, we were able to
registration event in Zionsville, Indiana. Several of our artists
donate over $300 to the home. Thank you all so much for
performed numerous works while citizens from all over the
taking part. What a joy to give a bit back to those in need
north side registered to vote. It was wonderful to be able to
during the holidays!
serve the community in this way and to provide some entertainment and enjoyment to those waiting. We are
Commissioning new works has been a significant priority of
looking to expand this function of our organization and
our organization, and December's concert enabled us to
would be absolutely delighted to hear from you should you
continue that. Most of the pieces performed were
ever be in need of musicians!
commissioned by Sound Ecologies as part of our initiative to support up-and-coming Indiana composers. We are
The most recent large project we've begun here at Sound
delighted to have these opportunities and look forward to
Ecologies is a venture into publishing! This past October, we
many more in the future! If you or anyone you know is
published Luke Garrigus's "Fish Music" for solo piano.
interested in commissioned work, you can get in contact
Included in the book are five pieces written for fish of
with us using the email soundecologiesmail@gmail.com
different species that have been part of the composer's lifetime. These works are sensitive, beautiful, and very reflective of the creatures to which they are dedicated. This book has certainly been a success and we are quite excited for the many upcoming projects on the docket. Thank you for being part of our dream to support local music and the arts!
Our Board of Directors: Luke Garrigus - President Charissa Garrigus - Vice President Allison Vickery - Secretary Lorrie Garrigus - Treasurer Dan Catlin - Member Kim Gerth -Member Tim Ottinger - Member
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Being a Musician during a Pandemic WRITTEN BY CHARISSA GARRIGUS COVID-19 has changed the world. Our realities have, in many
with audience members during the performance. I wonder if
cases, completely shifted. Many of the things in life that we
the famous European salons might have functioned in a
take for granted—spending time with friends and family,
similar way, albeit in person and not on a computer. Luke was
attending concerts and sports events, even the smiles of
able to publish his first book of music, and we set our sights
passerby—have ceased to be. For many, the monotony and
to dreaming up more for Sound Ecologies. We’ve filmed
intransigence of existence has truly begun to wear. But, there
several music videos with Classical Music Indy, which has
are kernels of hope and joy that continue to encourage us
been an absolute delight. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,”
and uplift us even in these dark times. Music is and always
as the saying goes, and there has certainly always been a will.
will be a light, though its expression has greatly changed in
I find that the word “grit” comes to mind when thinking of
recent months. This article is intended to give you a glimpse
the determination demonstrated by many musicians during
into the experiences of several musicians during this global
this strange time. Music is our lifeblood, and we will find a
crisis that has dominated our lives this past year.
way to keep creating it no matter the rivers we have to ford or the hurdles we must jump. I am sure many others
Think back to March of last year: we had begun to get
(musicians and non-musicians alike) are very much looking
glimpses of what was to come, but had no real recognition of
forward to when music-making returns to normal. But, I
how much life was to change. My husband and I had recently
must say I am grateful for some of the things I’ve learned
moved into a new home and were preparing for our next
during this whole process. In fact, this quote from the
monthly Sound Ecologies concert to be hosted at our church.
indomitable Winnie the Pooh comes to mind,
I was in the process of finishing up rehearsals for my school’s spring music program and Luke (my husband) was busy
“ You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem,
planning Easter music for the church choir. We had just given
smarter than you think…”
a performance at a local nursing home with a dear friend of ours. Spring was in the air, and with it the promise of outdoor
The struggles brought on by this global pandemic have
concerts and bonfires with friends and family. And then,
brought on tragedies and heartbreak. However, we are
almost overnight, everything changed. Schools started
indeed braver than we believe, stronger than we seem, and
shutting down. The word “cancelled” became almost
smarter than we think. I, and I’m certain all musicians, cannot
excessively commonplace. Churches began to close their
wait to begin performing and making music together soon. I
doors in hopes of “flattening the curve,” and “e-learning”
asked several musician friends what their experience has
became the name of the game for teachers the world over.
been during this process, and they gave me some very
Before we had a chance to blink, our musical careers were
thoughtful responses. Read on for their perspectives!
essentially put on hold. Singing became dangerous, and indoor concerts even more so. Performance opportunities
From Darrin Isaac: This time of quarantine has presented
were postponed or downright cancelled, and life seemed to
several challenges, particularly for those of us in choral
come to an abrupt halt. How can one be a musician without
music. This has lead to most choral ensembles suspending
people? I personally found it very difficult to stay motivated—
their activities and the loss of income for many artists who
I’m used to spending months working towards a recital or
have lost their jobs. Another difficult loss is that of artistic
performance, practicing and preparing. If there were to be no
expression for professionals and amateurs alike. For many in
recitals or performances, what was the point? Music usually
my church choir, singing is a big part of their worship and the
helps me to work through emotions, but what if those
choir brings a sense of community that they don’t find in
emotions are simply too heavy or complicated to deal with?
other aspects of their life.
The time came to get creative. I have found that the
On a personal level, I had to cancel a concert of original
difficulties presented by the COVID pandemic have pushed
liturgical compositions that was two years in the making. I,
us as artists to become flexible and adaptable in more ways
like many others, have had to find alternatives in order to
than I ever would have thought possible. Luke and I gave an
continue engaging the community with smaller ensembles
online virtual concert from our music/fishroom—it was
and solo compositions.
delightful to perform again and such a fun way to interact
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2021 | VOL.1
On the other hand, this time has been one of innovation. It
From Joe Jones: The pandemic has had minimal impact on my
has made the artistic community aware of the need for online
life, really. I had a lull in work from roughly March through
engagement. It has forced our hand to learn new techniques
May, but after that, I started to come back to work in all my
and practices outside our normal skill sets in order to
jobs. Considering I have many sources of income, even during
continue performing using recordings and live streaming.
the period where I had lost one or two of them, I didn't have
Different communities have different capabilities for this, but
a shattered economy as my day job sent me home with pay
it is quickly becoming a necessity rather than an option for
until the stay at home orders lifted in May. As a musician
contemporary performers. I have been blessed with a
strictly, I still teach and have gigs occasionally. I was never a
dedicated ensemble consisting of 5 singers, a pianist, and a
concert performer, really, so the only opportunity which has
classical guitarist that have been committed to continue
diminished significantly is Classical Music Indy's Random
performing virtually and rehearsing with safety protocols in
Acts of Music series.
place. I do not feel I represent the musician community at large and While there will always be a special place for live, in person
maintain that I have been blindly lucky through all of this.
music, we all have to come to terms with the fact that the
There is a lot of pain I see from many of my peers who are
future of all media and outreach is going in a virtual
struggling to get by and it's a tragedy to witness.
direction.
Logan Purcell and Nolan Winters Perform at Salem
Check us out on Facebook and at our website! Luke Garrigus and Logan Purcell Perform "Bolton Strid" for Classical Music Indy