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Who is Sparks & Wiry Cries?
In short, we are storytellers and passionate advocates for art song.
We present music. We commission music. We perform music. We create projects infused with the spirit of collaboration and partnership.
The genesis of every art song is the interplay of poetry and music. Similarly, the genesis of every performance is the interplay of pianist and singer. The genius of Schubert inspired the possibilities of this genre in the 19th century, while contemporary perspectives in poetry and composition keep it relevant 200 years later.
Sparks & Wiry Cries was created to safeguard this art form, and it is our charge to encourage its essential elements to reflect the diversity of human culture.
Sparks & Wiry Cries is a registered 501(c)( 3).
What do we do?
Sparks & Wiry Cries promotes the advancement and preservation of art song, choosing a collaborative model to lift up the genre as a whole. We do this through three unique initiatives: The NYC songSLAM Festival; innovative, regionally-produced songSLAMs; and the free online Art Song Magazine. Taken together, these arms create local and far-reaching excitement for the genre, with a deep sense of connection between colleagues and amongst the broader public. For the 19-20 season alone, our initiatives and partnerships will bring together over 300 musicians to premiere more than 150 songs heard in four countries and at least 10 cities.
The NYC songSLAM festival
Now entering our eighth season of recitals, we have established a reputation for presenting art song as a relevant, topical art form. We commission art song from contemporary poets and composers of diverse backgrounds, contextualizing newer works with those of past masters. This has garnered us praise from publications like Opera News : “The overall impression left by this concert was one of optimism for the future of art song” and “(SWC offered) such superb performances… of songs from throughout the art song canon, from Schubert through world premieres.” Featured past performers and composers have included Stephanie Blythe, Mahzi Kane, Nailah Nombeko, David T. Little, Juliana Hall, Jean Bernard Cerin, Sidney Outlaw, Jesse Blumberg, Tyler Duncan, Karen Slack, Mark Campbell, David Adam Moore, Kamala Sankaram, Naomi Louisa O’Connell, Malcolm Martineau, and GRAMMY-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens.
The songSLAMS
Fashioned after traditional poetry slams and storytelling events like The Moth, each SWC songSLAM gives composer/performer teams a chance to present world premieres of art song and compete for audience-awarded cash prizes ranging up to $2,000. Starting with the inaugural songSLAM of 2017, our first-come, first-served online registration is usually filled in under 30 minutes of opening, and our songSLAM audiences are typically sold out. During the 2019-2020 season, SWC will partner with organizations across the globe to produce at least 10 songSLAM events, enabling the premiere of over 120 new songs by emerging artists in the following cities: Vancouver, NYC, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ljubljana, London, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Chicago, and a GRAND songSLAM in Knoxville at the 2020 NATS convention.
The Art Song Magazine
Sparks & Wiry Cries publishes free online articles on topics ranging from historical musicology to cultural appropriation and audience engagement. The SWC podcast and interview series features conversations with preeminent art song composers, poets, and performers. Past contributors include Thomas Hampson, Graham Johnson, Susan Youens, Jean Bernard Cerin, Minnita Daniel Cox, Donald Hall, Stephen Paulus, Tom Cipullo, Alicia Hall Moran, and Libby Larsen.
Our partnerships
Collaboration has permeated every aspect of SWC since its founding. Past and present partnerships with fellow chamber music and art song organizations include: Five Boroughs Music Festival (NYC), Brooklyn Art Song Society (NYC), Merkin Concert Hall (NYC), Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar (NY), Kerrytown Concert House (MI), GLMMR (NY and beyond), Source Song (MN), National Sawdust (NYC), Cincinnati Song Initiative, Women on the Verge (Toronto), Art Song Lab (Vancouver), Denver Art Song Project, ReSung (London, U.K.), Slovenian Music Days festival (Ljubljana), Flipside Opera (Winnipeg), and NATS.
Why should you donate?
Because you support the future of art song and because you believe in our shared vision, linking preeminent performers, art song organizations, and audiences around the globe.
Perks
Co-Founders and Directors Erika Switzer and Martha Guth will perform a 30-45 minute recital at your home or venue (piano required) within a reasonable driving radius of NYC or the Hudson Valley. ...IF you want to throw in our travel/housing expenses, we will go anywhere! You will also receive our undying gratitude, good juju, and mention in our festival program on the donor list!
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Co-Founders and Directors Erika Switzer and Martha Guth will perform a 30-45 minute recital at your home or venue (piano required) within a reasonable driving radius of NYC or the Hudson Valley. ...IF you want to throw in our travel/housing expenses, we will go anywhere! You will also receive our undying gratitude, good juju, and mention in our festival program on the donor list!
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