CONGRATULATIONS IACA CYCLE #5
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENT, MAGNUS VILLANUEVA!
Click here to learn about our other Cycle #5 mini-grant winner, James "SugEasy" Singleton.
Copyright © 2018 Gasse School of Music Copyright © 2018 Orléans Concours International
Congratulations to Magnus Villanueva on a successful grant application!
The following are excerpts from his grant proposal:
I work in Chicago as a pianist, piano instructor, and artistic collaborator. Currently, my work focuses on the solo piano repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries. For the past 20 years, I have studied piano at esteemed institutions such as the Music Institute of Chicago and Merit School of Music for Pre-college studies and the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University for Undergraduate and Master's degrees in Piano Performance. Currently, I hold faculty positions at the Gasse School of Music, and Chicago Music Lessons. Other artistic endeavors include chamber music, vocal collaboration, improvised music, audio production, electronic music, and ballet collaboration.
The grant funds will primarily be used to pursue career advancing opportunities. Grant funds will also be used in the production of professional recordings that will be submitted to a number of Summer Music Festivals dedicated to the creation of Contemporary Classical works.
The music of the modern piano literature contains some of the greatest artistic achievements of humankind. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to study and perform these masterworks... from the early 20th century like Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin; major works of the mid-late 20th century like Messiaen and Ligeti; and many pieces not yet well known by today's groundbreaking composers like Kaija Saariaho, Unsuk Chin, and Hèctor Parra. My goal is to be able to launch a respectable career in sharing these works with all audiences, especially those who might not otherwise have the chance because of social, economic, or political issues. I believe every person deserves the right to experience and engage with great art, and I want to devote my time and energy for this cause. The current program I am curating aims to break down preconceived notions of genre in not only classical music, but especially in music as an art form. Through my performances, I bring the greatest composers of the past 120 years in conversation with each other regardless of their gender or nationality.
These two video samples are from recent solo performances. The first is two etudes by Gyorgy Ligeti and the second is an early work by Olivier Messiaen. Both of these composers have strongly influenced my study of 20th and 21st century music mainly because of their unique harmonic and rhythmic structures. These composers combine intellect and virtuosity without losing the aesthetic required to communicate with an audience.
Integrity: Arts & Culture Association is honored to approve Magnus' funding request and we wish him the best in all of his future artistic endeavors!
You may be the next grant winner! Click here to apply.
There is no specific type of artist that we focus on or primarily support. Creative expression comes in a wide variety of artistic disciplines and genres. We are looking for passion and excellence in your craft. Tell us why your work is important to you and how you hope it will impact others.
Where Eagles Soar (Isaiah 40:31)
Click here to Listen to Magnus' music on Soundcloud.
Watch video clips at the bottom of the page.
