Kaisahan Initiative 2023-2024 Composer-in-Residence
We are thrilled to have Susie Ibarra as the Kaisahan Initiative’s inaugural Composer-in Residence. Susie Ibarra is a Filipinx composer, percussionist, and sound artist. Her interdisciplinary practice spans formats, including performance, mobile sound-mapping applications, multi-channel audio installations, recording, and documentary. Many of Ibarra’s projects are based in cultural and environmental preservation: she has worked to support Indigenous and traditional music cultures, such as musika katatubo from the North and South Philippine islands; her sound research advocates for the stewardship of glaciers and freshwaters; and she collaborates with The Joudour Sahara Music Program in Morocco on initiatives that preserve sound-based heritage with sustainable music practices and support the participation of women and girls in traditional music communities.
Illuminous Forests Saturday April 6, 2024 at 7:30pm First Church Boston Susie Ibarra, percussion Alex Peh, piano Yuka C. Honda, electronics Daniel Doña, viola This concert is a variation on a program curated by Ibarra for the Detroit Institute of Arts in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. Musical selections will reflect on the shared Asian heritage of the performers and features a mix of pre-composed music and free improvisation.
Pulsation Sunday April 7, 2024 at 4pm First Church Boston Susie Ibarra Pulsation (2018) Susie Ibarra New Work TBD (world premiere) Antonin Dvorak Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81 Arneis Quartet Susie Ibarra, percussion Alex Peh, piano During their collaboration in Detroit for Ibarra’s Illuminous Forests project pianist Alex Peh and Arneis violist Daniel Doña had a eureka moment to pair a newly commissioned work by Susie for piano and string quartet with Antonin Dvorak’s folk-inspired Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81. The program will begin with Pulsation, written for the Kronos Quartet’s 50 for the Future project. We are thrilled that Ibarra is playing optional modular percussion parts with us in Pulsation and her new work for piano quintet!