meaghan boeing http://meaghanboeing.com/index.html actor, musician, educator, poet Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:10:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 SitePad A new work http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-new-work.html http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-new-work/#respond Thu, 16 Feb 2023 23:44:57 +0000 http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-new-work.html
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DLA Premiere

Don’t Look Away

 

On January 27th, 2023, I had the honor of being in the audience as the students of Ithaca College premiered Don’t Look Away (Requiem For a World That Never Was), a new work for choir, orchestra and soloists with music by composer John Conahan and text by yours truly. It has been the work of nearly three years and endless hours of editing and education, production and activism, conceived of and ushered into existence by the incredible mezzo-soprano and educator dawn pierce.

 

Racism in America is a difficult and complex subject, and one thing that I’ve heard over and over for many years in conversations with people of color is that white people need to talk to other white people about racism. When dawn pierce came to John Conahan and me with the question, “is there room in classical music for white people to do this work?” we began a journey that answers a resounding “yes,” though not without many missteps, twists and turns, helpful criticism and learning, learning, learning.

 

I would be honored if you took a look at www.justdontlookaway.com where you can watch the archived video of the premiere performance, as well as learn more about the piece, racism in classical music, and browse next steps for white-identifying audiences.

 

This has been the most important project of my lifetime, and I hope it has a long life in communities wrestling with the complex legacy of America.

 

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]]> http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-new-work/feed/ 0 A reminder http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-reminder.html http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-reminder/#respond Sat, 02 Jul 2022 03:18:43 +0000 http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-reminder.html

A few years ago, I recorded a version of the beautiful song from South Pacific by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” I’ve always loved the sentiment of “You have to be taught to hate and fear,” but as I’ve grown, I realize that LOVE must be equally active.

 

So I wrote an additional verse, calling on us all to teach ourselves and our children to talk about hard issues, learn about each other and not be afraid of the unfamiliar, and work for justice for all people.

 

]]> http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-reminder/feed/ 0 Music that makes me smile http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/music-that-makes-me-smile.html http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/music-that-makes-me-smile/#respond Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:59:11 +0000 http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/music-that-makes-me-smile.html

Next on the Beatles’ playlist of indefinite length: “I’m Only Sleeping”

I have always loved this tune. It’s fun and irreverent, and most of us can relate to not wanting to get out of bed! I often assign it to young singers & accompany them on the ukulele or guitar, and it’s a big hit.

 

Check out the original on The Beatles’ Revolver, and listen for the brilliant George Harrison’s backwards guitar track!

]]> http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/music-that-makes-me-smile/feed/ 0 New Music – Beatles edition http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/new-music-beatles-edition.html http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/new-music-beatles-edition/#respond Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:10:10 +0000 http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/new-music-beatles-edition.html

The Beatles have long been one of my favorite pop song writing groups, and their tunes often lend themselves to jazz/cabaret arrangements. These two happened to be next to each other in my book, and in the same key, and quite by accident, I realized they fit well together. I have always loved For No One because of its direct yet strangely comforting language. Most of us have had a relationship end in a lopsided way, and there’s not a lot we can say except it hurts, and not a lot a friend can do but acknowledge that pain, which is so much better than saying “there are plenty of fish in the sea”.

 

Following it up with Fixing A Hole feels a little like moving on, figuring out a way to make what we *can* control a little better. Unfortunately, I messed up the words and I’m using a travel uke that doesn’t like to stay in tune, but I’m posting it anyway because nothing is perfect, and I had a lot of fun making the music.

]]> http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/new-music-beatles-edition/feed/ 0 Sonnet Slammed http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/sonnet-slammed.html http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/sonnet-slammed/#respond Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:07:22 +0000 http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/sonnet-slammed.html

I have had the honor of being a part of a “Sonnet Slam” on Big Willie’s birthday the past two years. Since I can’t be there in person, I’ve recorded them where I’m at, and production values aside, they are such a joy to do. Do you have a favorite sonnet?

]]> http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/sonnet-slammed/feed/ 0 A New Beginning http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-new-beginning.html http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/a-new-beginning/#respond Mon, 13 Apr 2020 18:48:01 +0000 http://meaghanboeing.com/blog/2020/04/13/default-post/

In the midst of this trying time, as we move our teaching online and our performances are confined to our homes, yards and balconies, my websites were hacked. I used the *ahem* opportunity to start fresh, so here I am.

 

Wishing you all the best as you find your way in this new time, and know that I am here if you want to work or just chat about life and art and nothing in particular.

 

In love,

Meaghan

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