Caroline Shaw:  Winter Carol

Caroline Shaw: Winter Carol

Back in the day, specialization in music was unheard of. To be a musician was to be a composer, performer, multi-instrumentalist (hello, Mozart), improviser, and/or impresario. If you played the oboe in a Baroque orchestra, for example, you probably also played the...
Caroline Shaw:  Allemande

Caroline Shaw: Allemande

One morning you wake up and a schoolmate of yours just won a Pulitzer. Another morning, you wake up and a bunch of your friends (and their friends) just won a Grammy. That second event might happen more than once if your friends are in the...
Caroline Shaw:  Partita for 8 Voices

Caroline Shaw: Partita for 8 Voices

Contemporary music is my favorite genre to perform. I recall the time I first had that feeling and even felt some pride in the epiphany. Being unique or different suddenly seemed empowering. I loved that audiences never knew what to expect, literally couldn’t arrive...