Programs

Beginner’s Ear is an exciting recital offering that breaks down the wall between early and modern music. Available in a variety of formats, and scalable to a variety of lengths and budgets, this program is sure to excite concert goers and to help them reconnect to the sometimes aloof field of “classical” music.

"My goal," Mr. Howell writes, "is to engage my audience in an experiment of listening to old and new music with equally fresh ears.

Zen Buddhists speak of 'beginner's mind' as the best point of departure for a meditative experience. This program creatively juxtaposes styles, texts, and musical colors. Apparently dissimilar songs segue effortlessly into one another. In addition, the somewhat abstract printed program guides the audience, creating an experience that encourages neither reading while listening nor listening without understanding.

In this confusing space, everything is fresh, and everything is new. Disarmed by the unusual context, we may glimpse what is inherently human about both old and new music, and see why it is so relevant to our lives."

For an example of a recent performance of this program (featuring piano and guitar and lasting thirty minutes), please click HERE.

The New Music

(1597 to 2007)

Let us never forget: The music that reaches out to us from the past is primarily that music which survived the often fickle tastes of the public. We tend to place older art forms on a pedestal, however, they had to compete in as intense a marketplace of opinion as our contemporary popular music does. Starting with English lute songs and the birth of the proto-aria in 17th century Venice, this program traces the path of solo song repertory through five centuries and multiple countries, culminating in some unexpected folk songs, spirituals, and recent popular songs by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Emily Saliers.