American Muse Podcast - Trailer Episode
Introducing the American Muse Podcast!
Hello! My name is Grant Gilman. I am a conductor, violinist, and author, based in Atlanta, Georgia. I grew up the son of 2 violinists, who both went to Eastman and became professionals. Beyond that, I have a pretty typical musician story. I was bitten by the music bug very young, and despite everyone, including my parents, constantly reminding me there is no money in classical music, I couldn’t do anything else.
I remember playing in youth orchestra and constantly breaking my bow hair. It is not unusual to break a hair every once in a while, but I did it regularly. I realized that I wanted to play my part AND the winds AND the percussion all at once, that’s why I was pressing so hard. I knew, even then, that my place was on the podium. That’s where I could be a part of all the sounds at once. Then my high school orchestra director let me conduct both my own composition and Elgar’s famous Enigma Variations, both in concert. Well, that was it, no going back. I was going to be a conductor, for better or worse.
So, I went to the Peabody Conservatory of Music, studied violin with Martin Beaver, former 1st violin of the Tokyo String Quartet, Misha Rosenker, and Pamela Frank, world renowned soloist and chamber player. It just so happened that one of the best conducting programs in the world is ALSO at Peabody, so I stayed for my Masters degree, and got to study with Gustav Meier (rest in peace, my friend) and Markand Thakar.
After playing and conducting in various positions all over the country, I decided to get my doctorate. That took me to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, or CCM as we call it, and I studied under Mark Gibson.
Now, it just so happens I married up! My wife, Kim, is a fantastic horn player. After 10 years playing under JoAnn Falletta in the Virginia Symphony, she won 2nd horn with the Atlanta Symphony, under the baton of Robert Spano. So, after having grown up in south Texas, I now live in another very hot and humid area of the country. But, Atlanta is great!
When I was still quite young, I would actually listen to my mother’s collection of vinyl records. No, this is not a joke. She had tons of them! One that I found was so striking because I had never heard of the composer, and certainly not the piece, but the music blew me away EVERY time I listened to it. The conductor was Leonard Bernstein, leading the strings of the New York Philharmonic. The piece was Symphony No. 5 by William Schuman. And that is where my journey began.
I never lost that sound from my mind, the optimism, boldness, complex, driving rhythmic movement, dense and engaging harmonic support. Until that moment I knew only the most prevailing composers of history. Now I had another world to discover.
So I’m starting a podcast! The title is “American Muse”, in honor of William Schuman, which is what he titled his 10th and final symphony. This podcast is for all of those people, like my young self, that have never heard of these American orchestral composers from the 19th and 20th centuries. I want to find and share hidden and lesser-known gems that will brighten your day and bring depth to your world, as only art and music can do.
Now of course our team will need help! You can expect to hear a collection of extraordinary guests that are experts in this field. I will be interviewing them, asking them some pointed questions that we think you will find not only entertaining but also very educational. And the first guest will be none other than JoAnn Falletta!
Beyond that, we want you to be as involved as possible. We want to know if you have a composer or piece you would like us to feature. We love finding new pieces!
Also, we want to know if you have a guest to propose I interview. Like the composers themselves, the experts in this niche can be just quite elusive.
Furthermore, If you are an educator and have an idea, something that would tie in with your curriculum that would be of benefit to you, please reach out to us. We plan to dedicate an episode each season toward educating young musicians and students.
Thanks for listening to my short introduction, and I hope you are as excited as we are! The show will be available anywhere you get your podcasts already, a video version will be on YouTube, and you can also find links and show notes on my website grantgilman.com/americanmusepodcast. Feel free to contact us with thoughts or ideas at americanmusepodcast@grantgilman.com.
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