The Muse in Music - Concertmaster William Shaub on Artistic Leadership, Collaboration, and New Music

By, Dan Perttu

In this episode of The Muse in Music, I speak with violinist William Shaub, concertmaster of the Knoxville Symphony and guest concertmaster of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (UK), Arctic Philharmonic (Norway), and the New Zealand Symphony, about artistic inspiration, leadership from the concertmaster’s chair, and what it means to nurture growth within an orchestra. We dive deeply into collaboration with living composers, discussing bravery, humility, rehearsal psychology, and the shared responsibility performers have to elevate new music. Please join us for a thoughtful, candid conversation about artistry, trust, and why the human side of music-making matters as much as the notes on the page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZyn4PbsU9c

The Muse in Music - Merwin Siu on Transforming Local Pride into National Impact through New Music

By, Dan Perttu

Please join me as I talk with Merwin Siu, Artistic Administrator of Live Arts Toledo and Principal Second Violin of the Toledo Symphony, about how thoughtful programming, local partnerships, and long-term trust shape successful orchestral seasons. Merwin describes programming as a kind of “menu,” balancing the familiar and unfamiliar to create coherent musical experiences that resonate with specific communities. Drawing on projects inspired by Toledo’s astronomy program and regional conservation efforts, he shows how new music can feel both deeply local and broadly universal. The conversation also explores interdisciplinary collaboration and why new music is most effective when it’s integrated into a larger artistic narrative rather than treated as an isolated add-on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zY173J1JhQ

The Muse in Music - Geoffrey Robson on Bridging Tradition and Today's Sound Worlds in Orchestral Music

By, Dan Perttu

Please join me as I talk with Jeffrey Robson, Music Director of the Arkansas Symphony, about his musical inspirations and experiences. Geoffrey, a former violinist, discusses his love for symphonic music, particularly from the Romantic and early 20th-century eras, and his admiration for composers like Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and Mahler. He highlights the importance of being a generalist in music and his appreciation for contemporary composers like Thomas Adès. Geoffrey emphasizes the collaborative relationship between conductors and living composers, noting the dynamic process of creating and performing new music.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76okhzwHUkY