Rick Robinson: CutTime News: CutTime Rides in Texas; Summer Recap; Performed Stravinsky's 'Histoire du Soldat' with Kelly Hall-Tompkins at Gateways Music Festival

Triple D gets audience dancing at Lake George Music Festival

Winds play CutTime arrangements for Late Night at Boathouse.

Sept. 4, 2015

Rick Robinson writes:

Dear Friend,     

I hope your summer has been as exciting as CutTime's and that you'll enjoy a safe final weekend! We're on our way to TEXAS for the long anticipated partnership with ROCO. (More below.) First let me recap the latest adventures.

The Classical Revolution Detroit series, funded this year by a Knight Arts Challenge grant, burned hot and heavy with recurring events at St. Cece's Pub, Always Brewing in Rosedale, Northern Lights and Trumbellplex artist collective. We also appeared at several new places like Mexicantown Fiesta Center, Temptation Lounge, Crow Manor artist collective and our first Sidewalks Festival. Crowds varied but the enthusiasm of many supported our claim that classical music works everywhere with the right context and bridging elements. Sadly, we were rained out of an event at Campus Martius in July, but had a great time plugging it on the Mitch Albom (radio) Show and WDIV-TV. Check out this amazing clip.

Next events are Oct. 7 at St. Cece's with CutTime Players, Oct. 14 at Always Brewing with international guitarist Adam Levin, with a repeat Oct. 15 at Liberal Arts Gallery across town. Be sure to check out these free events and advise friends to try Beethoven with a BREW.

The premiere of Louis Aguilar's Art As A Weapon was a very emotional success at the Detroit Film Theater, with about 700 attending. My compositions for the stage play dramatizing Frida and Diego's time in Detroit with 5 scenes drew some kudos, and many agreed that all Detroiters need to see this. Frida Kahlo really came alive after her unfortunate miscarriage.

Next I went to Rochester, NY to participate in the Gateways Music Festival of black classical musicians playing chamber music and a final orchestra concert. Why is this important? Because we want to contribute to the music we love, even tho we're still marginalized in the industry. We also want to recognize and perform the music of neglected black composers such as Florence Price, Le Chevalier de St. Georges, William Grant Still, Adolphus Hailstork, Nathaniel Dett, and several more. I was privileged to perform Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat with the amazing violinist Kelly Hall-Thompkins. She is one to watch; someone I can't wait to work with again!

Finally, CutTime produced the Art Attack and Late Night series in the 5^th Lake George Music Festival north of Albany, NY. (picture below) The usual challenge of arranging and organizing volunteer musicians during one of the busiest festivals I've ever seen, was surpassed by the challenge of arranging POP DANCE charts for a new 9-piece ensemble I called TRIPLE D (Dance Dionysus Dance)! Fortunately, I inspired the drummer to arrange a bunch of more recent Top 40 for the group. By chance attending this year, we had the perfect rhythm section and the Donald Sinta (Saxophone) Quartet, who played a short set after CutTime Simfonica. Did I mention this show took place on a PADDLEWHEEL BOAT? (Picture at top) The load-in and setup of amplifiers was challenging.

Today, CutTime begins its way to Houston, TX (and warmer weather) where we'll perform as CutTime Simfonica (string quartet and light percussion) with musicians of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO). They've lined up a few OFF the pedestal events at a restaurant, a senior center and a nightclub, 2 weeks ahead of the double-premiere of my new orchestration for Gitcha Groove On! (2009) with Andres Cardenes conducting. I'll also play in the orchestra, visit Rice University and Shepard School of Music, venture to Dallas for an event with Open Classical, and try to meet with some orchestra staff about new audience development. My presence is made possible by New Music USA's Music Alive program, bringing living composers deep into our communities (out of the ivory towers).

I will also be very pleased to sub with Detroit Symphony for the opening week with Slatkin. Plus CutTime Players is reawakening with concerts in Detroit (Oct. 7), Hart, MI (Oct. 9) and Fair Lane Music Guild (April 6). These will all appear on the CutTime Calendar as well as our Facebook Event pages.

Thank you all for caring about CutTime's productions of casual classical. It really makes a difference when you support us by spreading the word, coming to shows/events, and making donations. We hope to see you very soon!

- Rick Robinson

Comments by email:

1) Thanks Bill!  Hi Kelly!   - Rick Robinson (Mr. CutTime)

2) Thanks Bill!  And hi Rick!  Let's do the Stravinsky or some other concert together again soon!  Cheers, Kelly www.KellyHall-Tompkins.com