Commission Initiative: Now, it is Time

Michael Bussewitz-Quarm

As an ensemble, Sacred and Profane is committed to celebrating and inspiring our vibrant and diverse communities by exploring the breadth of traditional and emerging choral repertoire through authentic and exemplary performances. We envision a world where we unite our voices for change, use our platform as artists to challenge inequity and amplify unheard voices. We stand in solidarity with those who are systemically silenced, marginalized, and oppressed, and we embrace the power of music to express our shared humanity.

An exciting part of our role as artists is to bring attention new creative voices and foster the development of choral repertoire that uplifts the community and challenges the status-quo through innovative music. Composers, performers, and collaborative artists are creating powerful, relevant work the world needs to connect and heal.

We are honored to be working with the highly sought-after New-York based composer Michael Bussewitz-Quarm on a new commission for SATB choir that embraces this vision. The text for this new work Now, it is Time (working title) is based on an open letter Michael shared with friends and family announcing the next phase in their personal journey as a transgender woman. In her own words, “A journey through a deeply personal transition, surrounded by her beautiful family.” This moving text embodies the life-affirming power of community and creative aspiration, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to bring it to life through music.

This work will be premiered at our December 2022 concerts Dreamscape: Realizing a Better Future. We are also to thrilled to partner with local organizations Like Transgender San Francisco share their work to raise education and visibility of support systems for transgender and gender-nonconforming people so that all may find as they make their own journeys.

To accomplish this incredible project is no small (or inexpensive) task, and we are inviting our supporters to join us in making this dream a reality. Please consider making a donation in support of this exciting project.

Sacred and Profane strives to perform music by emerging artists alongside choral classics. Contemporary composers are facing the challenges and issues of today head on, composing innovative and meaningful works with human stories. Your gift enables us to continue engaging these artists in new collaborative ways, premiere fresh work, and keep choral music relevant.

If you would like to get involved in this project in other ways, please feel free to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

about the composer

The choral music of Michael Bussewitz-Quarm engages singers and audiences with the leading social and environmental issues of our time. Michael is passionate about effecting change through choral music on topics ranging from the health of the world’s coral reefs to the epidemic of gun violence in the United States to the global refugee crisis. Michael is an active advocate for the transgender community. It is her fervent wish to spread knowledge and understanding of the transgender community through guest speaking and by simply being present in the lives of the talented musicians and artists surrounding her.

 A finalist for the 2019 and 2020 American Prize, Ms. Bussewitz-Quarm’s works are performed by leading professional and educational choral ensembles across North America. Recent collaborations include the west coast premiere ofThe Unarmed Child by Eugene Concert Choir and Orchestra, I’ll Fly Away at the International Society of Contemporary Music’s New Music Days in Vancouver, BC, and Nigra Sum, performed by The Duke University Chorale on their California tour. Michael’s works have been rebroadcast on Public Radio East, KMUZ, and WCPE, with performances by Singers of New and Ancient Music, musica intima, the Gregg Smith Singers, the Duke University Chorale, the Esoterics, among other exceptional choral ensembles. Michael is published by Peermusic Classical. 

 Current projects include Peacebomb, inspired by Laotian families who make jewelry from metal taken from unexploded ordnance, Where We Find Ourselves, a pandemic-proof choral project inspired by the portraits of Hugh Mangum, and The Death and Life of AIda Hernandez: A Border Story, based on the book of the same name that tells the story of an undocumented teen’s harrowing experiences with the U.S.’s militarized immigration system. 

 Ms. Bussewitz-Quarm attended Ithaca College (BM ’94), for piano performance and music education, and received her MM from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queen’s College in New York. For more information, visit her website, https://www.mbqstudio.com/.

PRONOUNS

The pronouns I use in my composing career are now “She/Her”

Although my gender identity is an important part of my life, it takes a back seat when I am collaborating with music ensembles. My focus is on the music and the fantastic experience the music provides the singers and the audience.

However, at home and in my local community, I still use the pronouns I have had my entire life, and they are “he” and “him”. My transition – as all transitions – is a journey, with no clear cut rules. Even as I continue my journey, I have the privilege to embrace my past, a past which has brought me to where I am today.

With that said, I must share a few additional thoughts.

I am not in any way offended if a person mistakenly uses any pronoun.

Also, I am very comfortable, if the discussion about gender identity is part of the workshop or the commission, discussing my story.