Renee' Baker
Renee' Baker writes:
The odds of one symphony starting and thriving in Chicago with the
message of diversity and excellence in music are EXTREMELY high.. How
about a second orchestra, spawned with grooming gained from 26 years
within the ranks of the Chicago Sinfonietta, namely Renee' Baker's
Chicago Modern Orchestra Project..?
Functioning and thriving as
one of the hottest new audience draws in Chicagoland. the orchestra,
CMOP, we shall call it is sweeping through not just Chicago, but Music
Director Renee' Baker is flinging the message as far as Berlin, London
the Netherlands, and Los Angeles with new projects under the umbrella of
CMOP. As Principal violist of the Chicago Sinfonietta, Ms. Baker had a
front row seat, literally, to watch the magic made under Maestro
Freeman. Dr.Freeman has been an important support mechanism for Ms.
Baker as she developed in her Sinfonietta years into an internationally
acclaimed instrumentalist, composer of note with commissions from
ensembles worldwide, and embraced her mentor's profession of conducting
with a furor matched only by Dr. Freeman's legendary podium episodes.
Under
the coaching and advice of noted conductors like Philip Baumann, Leslie
Dunner, William Porter, John McLaughlin Williams, Anthony Parnther (and
even a few kind moments from Maestro Mei-Ann Chen), Ms. Baker, formed
and conducted the Chicago Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble for 4 years and
then took the leap to forming her own symphony orchestra. The Chicago
Modern Orchestra Project was born, not only out of love and respect for
the mission maintained by the Sinfonietta for it's first 22 years, but
out of a continued need for the presence of visibility for minority
musicians and audience members to embrace the art of music through all
genres.
Ms. Baker states, "I could not have had a better
grooming ground for what was to come. Maestro Freeman encouraged all
facets of my musical life and his support made me feel that I could do
anything. During my very precious time with Sinfonietta, I have served
as Education Director, Orchestra Personnel Manager and Contractor,
Principal violist and my proudest moments were as co-founder of what has
been branded now as Project Inclusion, with Dr. Paul Freeman. Our
original program which was designed to kick open the door to help
jumpstart the careers of promising minority musicians by extending a
friendly hand.
Endeavoring to embrace minority musicians and let
them know that we valued them, they were not window dressing to procure
funding and we were willing to invest time, money and energy in their
development as well rounded musicians, and they could become valued part
of the classical music landscape, hopefully not just in Chicago. As
Co-founder of Project Inclusion, the model has accomplished more than I
ever thought it could, so from Chicago Chicago Modern Orchestra Project
will reinforce and continue the same mission with the formation of two
programs: ADEP (Assertive Diversity Enactment Program) for all people of
color and PROJECT INDIGO, which will focus primarily on school-age
African American children and their exposure to the world of music..."
It
appears that Ms. Baker truly embodies the bold mission of diversity and
is eager to carry forth Dr. Paul Freeman's mission of "musical
excellence through diversity".
Chicago Modern Orchestra Project
will produce it's 2013-14 concerts at South Shore Cultural Center and
Dominican University, both venues in the Chicagoland area.
Comment by email:
Comment by email:
Dear Bill, Thank you for posting "Progeny
of The Chicago Sinfonietta" by Renee' Baker. I, too, am re-printing in
the September 28, 2013 issue of The Chicago Crusader.
The
true story must be told in order for the truth to be known. Paul
Freeman's dream of equality of opportunity for musicians of color and
his legacy of diversity with integrity must be preserved, protected and
expanded. Kudos to Renee' Baker and The Chicago Modern Orchestra
Project. The dream continues.
Musically yours,
Barbara [Barbara Wright-Pryor]
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