Music & Artistic Director Felix Torres discusses the 22/23 season and diversity in orchestral programming
On the morning of our opening performance, Music & Artistic Director Felix Torres wrote the following reflection on our season premiere and his vision behind orchestral programming in 2022. Here is Felix in his own words (this post contains edits and additional context for this press release):
I’ve spent the summer reflecting on what it means to be an orchestral musician in 2022 and the future of our industry. While there’s much to ponder, the repertoire, unsurprisingly, is at the top of my list.
Tonight’s [9/10/22] program, West Side Rhapsody, includes music by Leonard Bernstein (a gay man who, arguably, hid his sexuality because of our industry), George Gershwin (a descendant of Jewish Ukrainians who wrote heavily in the jazz idiom – the music of Black America), and Quinn Mason (a young black composer from Dallas and product of the public school system).
Several years ago, I began tracking the repertoire I programmed based on gender, nationality, year of composition, and more, and I was, frankly, disappointed with the results. I then committed to intentionally diversifying my programming to reflect our changing communities and who I wanted to see in the audience and on stage.
Time and time again, we see how important and impactful it can be for people of all backgrounds – especially people from historically excluded populations – to see themselves in the media they consume and in the activities in which they choose to participate.
Despite our small budget, we endeavor at Mesquite to present diverse programs that represent our changing world. Rentals, to be frank, are expensive – but the expense comes with the knowledge that we’re performing music from a wide swath of living composers.
The Institute for Composer Diversity publishes an annual “Orchestra Repertoire Report,” which does show that change is happening. In the 21/22 season, works by Women and Composers of Color represented 22.6% of programmed works compared to 12% in 19/20 and only 4.5% in the 15/16 season. While much work has been done, there is still much to accomplish in this area.
This season in Mesquite, we’re performing a wide variety of music by living composers, including works by Quinn Mason, Mason Bates, Andrés Martín, John Williams, Hilary Purrington, David Lovrien, Víctor Agudelo, and Jessie Montgomery. In future seasons, we’ll continue to diversify our repertoire and programming by including even more works by composers from historically excluded backgrounds.
In 2022, it’s disappointing to see ensembles performing “safe” concerts. Whether it’s for the donors, the musicians, what we think will be safe for ticket sales, or whatever the reason- we, as a performing arts community, must do better. We have a responsibility to lead and inspire.
To build the next generation of art music lovers, we must present programs that will inspire Millennials, Gen Z, and now Gen Alpha. I hope to continue pushing myself in this area, and that I’m able to inspire the next generation of music lovers.
22/23 Season Overview
West Side Rhapsody – September 10, 2022, 7:30 PM
Felix Torres, conductor
Evan Mitchell, piano
Quinn Mason | Inner City Rhapsody (Re-premiere)
George Gershwin | Rhapsody in Blue
Evan Mitchell, piano
Leonard Bernstein | Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Hearts Without Borders – October 29, 2022, 7:30 PM
Felix Torres, conductor
Kate Jones, bass
Silvestre Revueltas | La noche de los Mayas
Ary Barroso (arr. Wasson) | Brasil
Andrés Martín | The Heart Knows No Borders
Dr. Kate Jones, bass
Alberto Ginastera | Four Dances from Estancia
Nutcracker Parade – December 17, 2022, 5 & 7:30 PM
Felix Torres, conductor
Guest Choirs
Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky | Selections from The Nutcracker
David Lovrien | We Come A-Darkly Caroling
John Williams | Three Holidays Songs from Home Alone
Leroy Anderson | Sleigh Ride
Additional selections to be announced
A Rose By Any Other Name – February 18, 2023, 7:30 PM
Felix Torres, conductor
Chris Mattaliano, violin
Hilary Purrington | Extraordinary Flora
Antonín Dvořák | Romance in F minor for violin & orchestra
Chris Mattaliano, violin
Sergei Prokofiev | Selections from Romeo & Juliet
Mother Earth – April 1, 2023, 7:30 PM
Felix Torres, conductor
Jean Sibelius | Tapiola, Op. 112
Víctor Agudelo | Algo va a suceder…
Jessie Montgomery | Caught By The Wind
Claude Debussy | La mer
SPACE – May 20, 2023, 7:30 PM
Felix Torres, conductor
Gustav Holst | The Planets
Mason Bates | Mothership
John Williams | Star Wars Suite
