Postcard from Composer-in-Residence Lisa Mezzacappa
In SFGC’s Postcard series, our guest artists, collaborators, and faculty take us behind the scenes and share an intimate look into their thoughts about music, life, and art-making.
Lisa Mezzacappa, SFGC Composer-in-Residence
This postcard features SFGC's Composer-in-Residence, Lisa Mezzacappa. SFGC's Chorus School will premiere Lisa's piece, Spells for Girls*, with words by the choristers, at the Chorus School Spring Concert on May 20th!
Lisa Mezzacappa is a San Francisco Bay Area-based composer, bassist, bandleader, and producer. Called “one of the most imaginative figures on the Bay Area creative jazz scene” by The Mercury News and “a Bay Area treasure” by KQED public radio, she has been an active part of California’s vibrant music community for nearly 20 years. Mezzacappa’s activities as a composer and bandleader include ethereal chamber music, electro-acoustic works, avant-garde jazz, music for groups from duo to large ensemble, and collaborations with film, dance and visual art.
What was it like working with our choristers to create this piece? Did anything surprise you?
It was truly a delight to workshop this piece with the choristers at all of the Bay Area locations where they rehearse last fall. I was impressed over and over again with the girls' musicality and their openness to my ideas. Their instructors and directors cultivate such a welcoming environment of respect, it was a joy to enter that zone as a collaborator.
What should audiences listen for in Spells For Girls*? Do you have a favorite moment in the piece?
All of the ideas, and most of the text, came directly from the singers in the school. So if anything, I hope listening to this piece is a way of listening to what the girls have to say. As far as the music goes, I would encourage listeners to enjoy the sounds in the music as much as the notes! I am a bass player, too, so rhythm is really important in my music.
What advice can you give to our singers that you wish you had received when you were their age?
Stick together, and take care of teach other! Making music together is the greatest possible connection with other people, hold on to that and find ways to stay in touch even beyond your time with SFGC.
What spell would you cast if you were a magic practitioner?
Somehow that seems like a really complicated question for a grown-up to answer! Again, I defer to the girls' answers to that - they pretty much covered everything.
What inspires you about working with SFGC?
The energy, the care, the dedication, the excellence that I feel from the singers and the directors and faculty and staff every single time I walk into a rehearsal or a concert.
What are some of your favorite albums? Why do they speak to you?
Most of my favorite music is from a rich tradition of Black experimental music, mostly coming out of Chicago since the 1960s - adventurous jazz composition and improvisation. I return to these masters over and over again because in their boldness and fearlessness they give me permission to take chances, and be myself and follow my instincts as an artist.
What are you excited to work on in the future? Give us a sneak peek!
This fall I will conclude my serial audio opera - all nine episodes - called The Electronic Lover. It has taken years to compose and produce, and the finale just *may* involve SFGC (no spoilers)—!