Chamber Music at Copshaholm
CHAMBER MUSIC AT COPSHAHOLM
an afternoon of live music in an elegant setting
What: Nine solo works for cello, oboe, violin, horn, and piano performed in different rooms of the Copshaholm Mansion
When: June 12, 2021
Where: The History Museum, 808 W Washington St, South Bend, IN 46601
About the event:
Inspired by the majesty of Copshaholm, South Bend composer John William Griffith II has written a series of pieces for solo instruments centered on different rooms of the historic residence of J.D. Oliver. Each piece will be performed in its designated room, with a docent describing the room's function and design elements, and the composer sharing how these are reflected in the music.
Griffith believes that art works best when the community is involved in its production. With a donation of as little as the price of a latte, you can help bring this world premiere to life. And we could all use a bit of live music as we emerge from this pandemic!
Your donation's impact:
By supporting this project, you enable the arts to transform our community through a shared artistic experience. Your donation will:
- provide a paid performance opportunity to classically trained musicians who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic’s effects on the music industry
- promote the art form of contemporary classical music in an accessible, collaborative way that strengthens its relevance among new audiences
- offer a safe way to present live music in an inspiring setting, a pleasure all too rare in light of the pandemic
- fund an audio/video recording of the performance that will be shared with hundreds more audience members for years to come
- generate interest in the history of our community
In recognition of your generosity, your name will appear in a printed program, and it will also be included in the audio/video recording, ensuring that your contribution retains its legacy for generations to come. You may also submit your donation as a memorial.
"It is a window into the storied past of our city, a testament to the Gilded Age success of local industrialists and their ground-shaking contributions to American life." - J.W.G.II
Our Budget:
- Hiring musicians for their time/talent in preparing the music and performing over the course of the afternoon: $400.00 + $100.00 (per diem) x 4 = $2,000.00
- Hiring audio/video recording engineer | Setup, tear down, time/labor, equipment, post production = $1,800.00
- Promotional materials (posters, printed programs, social media, etc.) = $200.00
- Total cost: $4,000.00
If we can match $2,000 worth of sponsorships from local businesses, we will have met our fundraising goal for this performance! Businesses that have already contributed include:
- 1st Source Bank
- Barnes & Thornburg, LLP
- Shirk's Piano Gallery
- Cressy & Everett Real Estate
- Duncan G. Stroik, Architect
A message from the composer:
As a South Bend native, I have long been fascinated by Copshaholm. For my eighth birthday, I asked my mother to sign us up for a tour of the home, and I simply fell in love with it, having now gone on multiple tours. It is a window into the storied past of our city, a testament to the Gilded Age success of local industrialists and their ground-shaking contributions to American life.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it extraordinarily difficult for artists and performers to engage with audiences through shared artistic experiences. I wanted to find a way to curate a performance that tells a unique story, that of Copshaholm, while also working within the restrictions of this unprecedented time. A series of solo pieces seemed like the perfect route.
During a visit to Copshaholm in November 2020, I took note of the details in the rooms that inspired me the most; interior design styles, intricate patterns in the woodwork and Tiffany glass, striking yet fluid color schemes, shape and function, etc. I intend to reflect these observations in the composition of the music itself. For instance, in the dining room piece written for violin, the soloist juxtaposes a series of contrasting motives that represent the ebb and flow of lively dinner conversation. Other factors such as pitch, rhythm, and form are inspired by specific design elements in the room, such as the mirrors above the mantel and china cabinet and the tapestries along the walls. I believe this approach will yield a tailored musical expression specific to Copshaholm.
About the composer
John William Griffith II is a composer from South Bend, Indiana. He recently graduated from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington where he studied music composition with Aaron Travers, Claude Baker, Don Freund and the late Sven-David Sandström. During his time at IU, John sang as a member of the NOTUS Contemporary Vocal Ensemble directed by Dominick DiOrio. In the fall of this year, John will attend the Royal College of Music in London pursuing a masters degree in composition.
John began composition lessons with Jorge Muñiz in 2014 at Indiana University South Bend. His works have been performed by various ensembles including the IU Concert Orchestra, NOTUS, ChoralArts Initiative, C4 Choral Ensemble, Vancouver Chamber Singers, the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble CONCEPT/21 at IUSB, the South Bend Chamber Singers, and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen Arts Camp.
In the summer of 2017, John attended the European American Music Alliance in Paris, France, studying in the tradition of esteemed pedagogue Nadia Boulanger with David Conte and Philip Lasser. John is the recipient of the 2017 Jon Vickers Film Score Award at the Indiana University Cinema, for which he composed an original score for the 1926 film The Strong Man, under the guidance of Larry Groupé.
In the spring of 2020, John completed his first opera The Jungle, based on the novel by Upton Sinclair. The work was commissioned by IU’s New Voices Opera, and is scheduled for a virtual premiere this year.
Having studied piano as his primary instrument since early childhood, John has been mentored by Andrew Sohn, John Blacklow, Michael Coonrod, Robert Satterlee, Anthony Beer, and Kathleen Keasey. He has performed in masterclasses with renowned pianists including Alexander Toradze, John Perry and Leon Bates. With a wide range of interests, John pursues additional studies in voice, film scoring, conducting, and Italian language, and enjoys a strong appreciation for jazz and musical theatre.