Karena Ingram (Music '15) was awarded a commission recently with the American Composer's Orchestra to contribute to the innovative online programming BMI has initiated to continue its support for the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The work, No Air is a lament
for the black lives lost at the hands of police brutality and racism in America,
as well as the reflection of grief, frustration, and perseverance in the
community. George Floyd’s last words of "I can't breathe" were the
same last words of Eric Garner in 2014, Javier Ambler and Derrick Scott in
2019, and Manuel Ellis in March of 2020, in which they all faced the same
injustice and murder. "Black Lives Matter" is not a radical
statement; it is a cry of justice and equality from people who have been
oppressed for generations. No air is our story of strength and power, beginning
with the lament of those we've lost, and ending with the lament of those we may
lose if our society does not change for the better.
The commission and online premiere performance of No Air is made possible by American Composers Orchestra with lead funding from Augusta Gross and Leslie Samuels. The work can be watched here.
Congrats to Karena on this incredible opportunity!