Commission Stories: Championing A. Mimi Sei
Composer Kenji Bunch (left) who collaborated with writer/activist A. Mimi Sei (center) at a panel discussion for our Portland Protests program in March 2023 with Katherine FitzGibbon (picture by Rachel Hadiashar)
COMMISSION STORY HIGHLIGHT | A. Mimi Sei
Each work that Resonance commissions is more than just a new piece. It’s a relationship with an artist. It’s a journey for our ensemble. It’s a deep and lasting impact on our community. This week, we highlight the work of writer/activist A. Mimi Sei. Mimi has been a long-time Resonance supporter and collaborator, writing for both musical and non-musical mediums—her powerful foreword for An African American Requiem among them.
“We’re not just making music for music, right? We’re making music that leaves an impact.”
In March 2023, Resonance commissioned Mimi to write text that would be set by composer Kenji Bunch for our program Portland Protests.
“In reflecting on the past several years of tremendous upheaval both nationally and locally,” writes composer Kenji Bunch in his program notes, “I found myself frankly exhausted and disenchanted with the notion of engaging in this process. Yet it was A. Mimi Sei’s words that met me at that point of exhaustion and reinvigorated me with a positive, uplifting energy.”
Watch the video below to learn more about why A. Mimi Sei supports our programming, hear a reading of her powerful poem “Shout Out” and an excerpt from the resulting commissioned piece by Kenji Bunch.
Thank you to A. Mimi Sei, Kenji Bunch, cellist Valdine Ritchie Mishkin, conductor Shohei Kobayashi and the Resonance Ensemble singers for their contribution to this project.
What can we look forward to next from A. Mimi Sei?
"I am so excited to be teaming up with Darrell Grant to write a new piece for Resonance!" Join us in March 2024 when we unveil her latest work, in collaboration with celebrated composer Darrell Grant, premiering on Amendments: Righting Our Wrongs. Amendments: Righting Our Wrongs.
15K for 15 Years!
These stories are made possible thanks to your generous contributions. Resonance Ensemble is working to raise $15,000 for the Dinah Dodds Fund for the Creation of New Art to support the commission and recording of new works! Read more to learn about the campaign, and how you can help champion the music of tomorrow by supporting the voices of today.
