Co-commissioners: Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA, lead), Play on Philly, Austin Soundwaves, and The People’s Music School

Upcoming Performances:

• Spring 2023 TBA – Nina Shekhar, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (world premiere) – Los Angeles, CA

About Shekhar’s commissioned piece:

Mad Libs for youth ensemble draws off the popular word game to allow students to create their own musical narratives.  The piece consists of short stories and musical settings that contain “blanks.”  The students fill in the story blanks with words of their choosing, then come up with sounds that represent those chosen words.  The musical arrangements include corresponding “blank” noteheads, in which the students can fill them in by playing their designated sound they chose.  This framework serves as an identity metaphor in which kids can insert themselves into these stories and choose to center any kind of character, and it guides students through the creative process to learn how to compose a piece themselves.

Bio:

Nina Shekhar (b. 1995) is a composer who explores the intersection of identity, vulnerability, love, and laughter to create bold and intensely personal works. Described as “tart and compelling” (New York Times), “vivid” (Washington Post), and “surprises and delights aplenty” (LA Times), her music has been performed by leading artists including the LA Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, New World Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Eighth Blackbird, International Contemporary Ensemble, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, JACK Quartet, ETHEL, New York Youth Symphony, The Crossing, and Alarm Will Sound.  Her work has been featured by Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, National Gallery of Art, National Sawdust, and Library of Congress. Current projects include performances by the New York Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic (with soloists Nathalie Joachim and Pamela Z), Minnesota Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), and her Hollywood Bowl debut with the LA Philharmonic. YCA represents composer Nina Shekhar for worldwide engagements.