As an ensemble comprised of three white musicians, we have a lot of work to do to become an actively anti-racist organization. As a team, we are currently working through Rachel Cargle’s #DoTheWork program (we highly recommend it for our fellow white/non-Black POC allies) and have commissioning projects in the works that will create a diverse repertoire for our unique instrumentation the does not currently have a standard set of repertoire. We would also like to share with your every week an artist or piece that we are each listening to. Sputter (LIFTS THE) Box is something we will continue for the entirety of our time as an ensemble in order to support our fellow musicians, friends, and those who inspire us. Kat’s up first!

Hi - Kat here! This week I’ve been listening to Jessie Montgomery’s “Records from a Vanishing City” for orchestra. Montgomery grew up on the Lower East Side in the 80s and 90s, and this tone poem is based on the music and poetry she heard around her. I’ve been thinking about this piece lately as the block parties start back up in Brooklyn and the protests have people out of their houses. I was also supposed to perform this piece with the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra back in April with our student-programmed conductor-less concert. I hope to perform this piece one day (I mean- just LISTEN to those clarinet solos!), but for now I’m going to continue listening to it and the rest of Montgomery’s music. This piece was commissioned and premiered by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The link included here is the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s recording.