Congratulations to the five winners of the Fall 2024 IML Mentorship grant from the IML!
Jack Earnhart and Jacob Factor won a grant to support their research, “Correlates of brass instrument mouthpiece mass and perception.” The proposed study investigates the effects of mouthpiece weight on the just noticeable differences (difference threshold) of sonic and physical attributes. The results of this research will drive novel design methodologies of mouthpiece manufacturers. This provides foundation and incentive for future iterations of study. Market analyses of manufacturers and consumers have displayed mutual interest in the outcomes of this research. It will afford us the opportunity to connect with professional musicians and primary grade students, supporting their health, understanding, and enjoyment.
Cass Lo and Daniel Davis won a grant to support their project “Expanding Percussive Canon.” As the Kou Duo, Lo and Davis have commissioned Matthew Curlee to write a piece for their duo and the Maple Quartet, prominently featuring string quartet and percussion duo. The percussion part spotlights unorthodox instruments, such as crystal glasses and wooden planks alongside more traditional percussion instruments. We aim to inspire young percussionists to collaborate more with their fellow instrumentalists and shape how future composers view percussion. Funding will support recording the piece, and a series of community performances.
Charlotte McIntosh won a grant to start up her new business, My Practice Room (MPR). MPR is a service in Toronto where musicians can purchase a monthly subscription for access to practice space at the site of a partnering host business, during the business’s closed hours. Toronto being a very dense and expensive city, it is often difficult or impossible for musicians who do not come from a strong financial background to practice at home. Musicians are commonly forced to accept far-from-ideal situations, as you can read about in the additional uploads, through the testimonies of some of these musicians. MPR also creates a valuable opportunity for host businesses to make passive income by participating.
Aaron Tan won a grant to support a recording project to raise awareness of a largely forgotten collection of French solo organ music curated by Charles-Marie Widor and Alexandre Guilmant—L’orgue moderne—whose publication dates span from 1894 to 1930 and features composition by organ students of the Paris Conservatoire and other accomplished young composers of organ music. Many of these pieces are of moderate difficulty, and would contribute greatly to an era of organ repertoire that has been limited to the works of a handful of major composers. The goal of this initial proposal would be to create a high-quality video and audio recording of ten pieces from this series on a historic Cavaillé-Coll organ that would have been contemporary to the compositions.
HaEun Yang and Dongwon Shin won a grant to support performing and recording piano duet and two-piano works by the living composer Gabriela Lena Frank. Known for her distinctive blend of cultural influences, Frank draws from her rich multicultural heritage, which includes Peruvian, Chinese, Lithuanian-Jewish, and American roots. Her works explore themes of identity, community, and cultural fusion. By recording and sharing her music, the Shin & Yang duo aim to enhance her visibility in the classical music world and contribute to a richer, more inclusive repertoire. This project underscores why diversity in music matters and reinforces our commitment to amplifying the voices of contemporary women composers.
The IML Mentorship grant supports independent creative projects led by matriculated Eastman students beyond the scope of their degree. The next deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Learn more here.
