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As Apollo journeys into the mid 2020’s, we find ourselves face-to-face with new efforts to ban, censor and marginalize. This silencing of voices is nothing new. As we explore in this season’s bold and though-provoking programming, creatives in a plethora of fields have endured censorship throughout the ages.
How can art speak to our current challenges, and how can substantive debate be encouraged and respected in the pursuit of knowledge? With humility we will attempt to answer these questions and more this coming year, in collaboration with world-class, genre-defying composers and artists from Houston and afar. As you delve into our programming for the coming season, please consider a tax- deductible donation gift along with your subscription package. Thank you for your enduring generosity and faith in Apollo’s mission. To close, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Core Violist, Aria Cheregosha. (Read more about Aria on the artists page) Her artistry and worldview unite in synergy with Apollo, and we look forward to growing with her in global connections and musical exploration. -MATTHEW J. DETRICK, Artistic Director
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FRIDAY OCTOBER 6, 2023 | 7:30PM @ MATCH
Our 16th season begins with a musical commentary on the “reasoning” behind book censorship and control, with nods to notable books that have been banned historically. Genre-fusing composer and flutist Allison Loggins-Hull, current Composer Fellow for the Cleveland Orchestra, and Houston-based composer Mark Buller join Apollo for a program all-too resonant with our current social and political moment.
University of Houston professor Howard Pollack also joins to discuss the banning and censorship of American composers during the McCarthy period, while Harris County Public Library Director Edward Melton offers his experience leading one of the largest public library systems in the nation during a time of book banning.
University of Houston professor Howard Pollack also joins to discuss the banning and censorship of American composers during the McCarthy period, while Harris County Public Library Director Edward Melton offers his experience leading one of the largest public library systems in the nation during a time of book banning.
PROGRAM
Allison Loggins-Hull:
BAN: Commission for string quartet and flute inspired by censorship in literature - WORLD PREMIERE
HOMELAND, for solo flute
Mark Buller:
FIREWALL: Commission for string quartet inspired by censorship in literature - WORLD PREMIERE
Virgil Thomson:
String Quartet No. 2 (1932)
Aaron Copland:
Two Pieces for string quartet
Guests:
Mark Buller, composer
Allison Loggins-Hull, composer and flutist
Edward Melton, Director, Harris County Public Library
Howard Pollack, panel moderator, University of Houston, Professor of Musicology
VENUE INFO
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MATCH Houston
3400 Main st. Houston, TX 77002 PARKING: Close to the MATCH is the Mid-Main Garage directly to the south across Holman. This garage is accessible through Travis St. or Holman St. and is open 24 hours. |
ALLISON
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MARK BULLERCOMPOSER
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GUESTS
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | 8PM @ HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
BURKE BAKER PLANETARIUM
BURKE BAKER PLANETARIUM
Our story of censorship continues with composer, multimedia artist and writer Paul D. Miller (aka DJ Spooky), whose work immerses audiences in a blend of genres, global culture, and environmental issues. Spanning multiple eras, Apollo delves into the history of “forbidden” theories in science and astronomy, from the trailblazing, norm-shattering discoveries of Copernicus to the present day warnings of climatologists and the relevancy of George Orwell’s 1984.
Commenting on the program, DJ Spooky remarks, “We live in an era of computational narratives - algorithms and machine learning create new forms of highly complex systems that engage our data driven society. Information is what makes our data driven society and allows us to understand or not understand what is going on around the world. Imagine how selective suppression of information, like the fact that major corporations knew climate change was happening far earlier than the general population, or the fact that libraries and archives are under siege in this highly partisan divided era. Books matter. Data matters. Access to information matters. George Orwell’s seminal novel 1984 is the ultra example of when societies plunge into a place of radical suppression of information. It is a cautionary tale of being “canceled” and was banned in many countries because of its deeply resonant content. DJ Spooky has worked with several approaches to data as an artform. One piece presented this evening is based on Arctic Rhythms - an exploration of patterns in classical music and electronic music based on the climate crisis. The second piece is based on George Orwell’s classic novel 1984.”
*Please note there is limited seating for this event; planetarium capacity is 164.
Commenting on the program, DJ Spooky remarks, “We live in an era of computational narratives - algorithms and machine learning create new forms of highly complex systems that engage our data driven society. Information is what makes our data driven society and allows us to understand or not understand what is going on around the world. Imagine how selective suppression of information, like the fact that major corporations knew climate change was happening far earlier than the general population, or the fact that libraries and archives are under siege in this highly partisan divided era. Books matter. Data matters. Access to information matters. George Orwell’s seminal novel 1984 is the ultra example of when societies plunge into a place of radical suppression of information. It is a cautionary tale of being “canceled” and was banned in many countries because of its deeply resonant content. DJ Spooky has worked with several approaches to data as an artform. One piece presented this evening is based on Arctic Rhythms - an exploration of patterns in classical music and electronic music based on the climate crisis. The second piece is based on George Orwell’s classic novel 1984.”
*Please note there is limited seating for this event; planetarium capacity is 164.
DJ SPOOKYPAUL D. MILLER, COMPOSER & MULTIMEDIA ARTIST
“The only concept recording of the 21st century that can be considered crucial listening.” - AllMusic |
BURKE BAKER PLANETARIUMHMNS Houston
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PROGRAM
DJ Spooky/Paul D. Miller
Commission for string quartet and electronics inspired by censorship in science.
VENUE INFO
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HMNS AT HERMANN PARK
BURKE BAKER PLANETARIUM 5555 Hermann Park Dr. Houston,Texas 77030 PARKING: HMNS at Hermann Park has a parking garage attached directly to the building. Parking in the HMNS garage is a flat rate for the duration of your visit, and cannot be reserved in advance. (Museum members $10 Non-members $30) Additional free parking options include:
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about dj spooky
Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky, is currently Artist in Residence at Yale University Center for Collaborative Arts and Media (2023-2024, extended). He is a composer, multimedia artist, and writer whose work engages audiences in a blend of genres, global culture, and environmental and social issues. Miller has collaborated with an array of recording artists, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Metallica, Chuck D from Public Enemy, Steve Reich, and Yoko Ono amongst many others. His 2018 album, DJ Spooky Presents: Phantom Dancehall, debuted at #3 on Billboard Reggae.
His large-scale, multimedia performance pieces include “Rebirth of a Nation,” Terra Nova: Sinfonia Antarctica, commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Seoul Counterpoint, written during his 2014 residency at Seoul Institute of the Arts. His multimedia project Sonic Web premiered at San Francisco’s Internet Archive in 2019. He was the inaugural artist-in-residency at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Met Reframed, 2012-2013.
In 2014, he was named National Geographic Emerging Explorer. He produced Pioneers of African American Cinema, a collection of the earliest films made by African American directors, released in 2015. Miller’s artwork has appeared in the Whitney Biennial, The Venice Biennial for Architecture, the Miami/Art Basel fair, and many other museums and galleries.
His books include the award-winning Rhythm Science, published by MIT Press in 2004; Sound Unbound, an anthology about digital music and media; The Book of Ice, a visual and acoustic portrait of the Antarctic, and; The Imaginary App, on how apps changed the world. His writing has been published by The Village Voice, The Source, and Artforum, and he was the first founding Executive Editor of Origin Magazine.
His large-scale, multimedia performance pieces include “Rebirth of a Nation,” Terra Nova: Sinfonia Antarctica, commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Seoul Counterpoint, written during his 2014 residency at Seoul Institute of the Arts. His multimedia project Sonic Web premiered at San Francisco’s Internet Archive in 2019. He was the inaugural artist-in-residency at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Met Reframed, 2012-2013.
In 2014, he was named National Geographic Emerging Explorer. He produced Pioneers of African American Cinema, a collection of the earliest films made by African American directors, released in 2015. Miller’s artwork has appeared in the Whitney Biennial, The Venice Biennial for Architecture, the Miami/Art Basel fair, and many other museums and galleries.
His books include the award-winning Rhythm Science, published by MIT Press in 2004; Sound Unbound, an anthology about digital music and media; The Book of Ice, a visual and acoustic portrait of the Antarctic, and; The Imaginary App, on how apps changed the world. His writing has been published by The Village Voice, The Source, and Artforum, and he was the first founding Executive Editor of Origin Magazine.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 | 7:00PM @HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 | 2:00PM @ UNITY OF HOUSTON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 | 2:00PM @ UNITY OF HOUSTON
Join Apollo for REVISED, a genre-fusing statement on poetry, peace, censorship, and Black revisionism. The concert features the world premiere of Revise? by award-winning poet, activist, and educator Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton and Emmy-winning composer Jasmine Barnes, with members of Houston Ebony Opera Guild, The Philip Hall Singers, and Houston Chamber Choir.
The program also includes PAX (Peace), an Apollo commission from composer John Cornelius with Houston Poet Laureate Emeritus Outspoken Bean and vocalist Kenneth Gayle, and the premiere of a second commission by Texas A&M faculty composer Marty Regan, a work inspired by the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII.
A presentation of Beethoven’s famous ‘Cavatina’ from string quartet Op. 130 illuminates the composer’s maverick musical activism and timeless affirmation of the human spirit.
PROGRAM
Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton/Jasmine Barnes
REVISE?
Commission for string quartet, spoken word and chorus inspired by revisionism and Black censorship.
WORLD PREMIERE
John Cornelius
PAX
Ludwig Van Beethoven
String Quartet Op.130
Marty Regan
Commission inspired by censorship of Japanese Americans and Identity
WORLD PREMIERE
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GUESTS
Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, spoken word poet (Houston Poet Laureate Emeritus)
Jasmine Barnes, composer
Outspoken Bean, poet (Houston Poet Laureate Emeritus)
St. John Flynn, Moderator, Artist Conversation
CHORUS
Jolie Rocke, soprano
Kaci Timmons, soprano
LeAnn Broadous-Bowers, mezzo
Jan Taylor, mezzo
Wayne Ashley, tenor
Kenneth Gayle, tenor
Antoine Griggs, baritone
Joshua Jackson, baritone
VENUE INFO
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HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON
5401 Caroline st. Houston, TX 77004 PARKING: HMH parking lot & street parking available |
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UNITY OF HOUSTON
2929 Unity Dr, Houston, TX 77057 PARKING: Surface parking lot available |
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deborah
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jASMINE BARNESCOMPOSER
JOHN CORNELIUSCOMPOSER
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GUESTS
VOCALISTS
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FRIDAY, MAY 24 | 7:30PM (Q&A 7PM)
@DUNCAN RECITAL HALL
SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT RICE UNIVERSITY
@DUNCAN RECITAL HALL
SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT RICE UNIVERSITY
Our season finale uplifts voices that have been suppressed by totalitarian dogma and those silenced within ourselves. While Dutch-Jewish composer Dick Kattenburg perished in Auschwitz because of his faith, Robert Schumann perpetually battled and was ultimately defeated by the scourge of mental illness.
We welcome Netherlands-based composer Joey Roukens to the Bayou City for the world premiere of Forgotten Dutch Melodies, a commission for string quartet inspired by Dutch folk songs previously erased from existence. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, two distinguished members of the mental health community join the Q&A conversation - Renae Vania-Tomczak, CEO of Mental Health America of Greater Houston and Molly Cueto, Clinic Director at Ellie Mental Health.
*A portion of concert proceeds will benefit Ellie Mental Health and Mental Health America, Houston-based organizations addressing families and persons affected by mental illness.
We welcome Netherlands-based composer Joey Roukens to the Bayou City for the world premiere of Forgotten Dutch Melodies, a commission for string quartet inspired by Dutch folk songs previously erased from existence. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, two distinguished members of the mental health community join the Q&A conversation - Renae Vania-Tomczak, CEO of Mental Health America of Greater Houston and Molly Cueto, Clinic Director at Ellie Mental Health.
*A portion of concert proceeds will benefit Ellie Mental Health and Mental Health America, Houston-based organizations addressing families and persons affected by mental illness.
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Commission generously underwritten by Ed Schneider |
PROGRAM
Dick Kattenburg
Trio à cordes
Joey Roukens
Forgotten Dutch Melodies (String Quartet No. 5)
WORLD PREMIERE
Robert Schumann
Piano Quintet in E-flat major
Guest Artists
Tugçe Özcivan, piano
Renae Vania-Tomczak, President & CEO (Mental Health America of Greater Houston)
Molly Cuerto, Clinic Director (Ellie Mental Health)
St. John Flynn, panel moderator
Trio à cordes
Joey Roukens
Forgotten Dutch Melodies (String Quartet No. 5)
WORLD PREMIERE
Robert Schumann
Piano Quintet in E-flat major
Guest Artists
Tugçe Özcivan, piano
Renae Vania-Tomczak, President & CEO (Mental Health America of Greater Houston)
Molly Cuerto, Clinic Director (Ellie Mental Health)
St. John Flynn, panel moderator
VENUE INFO
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DUNCAN RECITAL HALL
Shepherd School of Music at Rice University 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005 Entrance 18 or 20 off Rice Boulevard or entrance 8 off University Boulevard. PARKING: Surface parking is available in West Lot 2 accessible from Rice University entrance 8, 17, and 18. The lot requires the driver to insert a credit card. |
joey roukensCOMPOSER
”...stunningly beautiful...great walls of rich orchestral sound juxtaposed against intensely private moments.” --Bachtrack.com |
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