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Soo Han, the composer of the upcoming third piece in the Project Imagine series
Cover art for the sheet music for Awake, My Soul!, the second piece in the Project Imagine series
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Music & Arts Completes Choral Release and Announces Orchestral Composer for Project Imagine

As Victor Johnson’s choral work Awake, My Soul! is performed in concert venues throughout the United States, Project Imagine announces orchestra maestro and composer Soo Han as the next composer for their important advocacy and inclusivity initiative

Frederick, MD, April 5, 2023: Music & Arts, one of the nation’s largest musical instrument retailers and lesson providers, announces the next phase of Project Imagine, a commissioned composition project aimed at providing underserved music programs the opportunity to perform high-quality pieces entirely free of charge. This program features a series of compositions (classified as grade/difficulty level 2-3 out of 5) intended for middle school and high school ensembles. Each piece is accompanied by optional rehearsal suggestions / tips and social-emotional learning curricula, creating a comprehensive nine-week thematic instructional unit that will create a memorable experience for directors and their students.

Following on the heels of the series’ first piece, Kelijah Dunton’s band work Color in the Grey, and the second piece, Victor C. Johnson’s choral work Awake, My Soul!, the third piece will be an orchestral work created by conductor and composer Soo Han. As Director of Orchestras at the Baldwin Conservatory, Soo Han is among the most preeminent voices in string education and serves as a contributing author for Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Strings. Han promises to bring not only his 25-plus years of pedagogical expertise to the work, but his cultural heritage as well. The composition is currently under development and will be ready at the start of the 2023/24 academic year.

Scott Lang, Music & Arts Director of Advocacy, remarks, “Issues related to access and inclusivity in music education are at the forefront of our profession. In designing Project Imagine, we wanted to do so in a meaningful, practical and scalable way. Our vision was simple: bring the best composers, with the best curricula, to the most deserving of programs, free of charge. In that respect, Project Imagine has exceeded our every expectation.

The first work created for Project Imagine, Kelijah Dunton’s Color in the Grey, is a gorgeous piece, accessible to middle school and high school ensembles, and it was premiered at the 2022 Midwest Clinic. The second release, Awake, My Soul!, is a choral work written by Victor C. Johnson that joyfullycelebrates the creation and the wonders of imagination. Featuring soaring vocal lines, cool, contemporary harmonies, and a driving piano accompaniment, this piece sizzles with festive energy.

Brian Wilson, Music & Arts Vice President, School Services, remarks, “With Project Imagine, we are doing more than creating opportunities for programs and students in need, we are building and implementing a model that can serve as a blueprint for the future. This is something I am personally proud to be associated with and involved in.”

To learn more about Music & Arts and Project Imagine, visit MusicArts.com/cms/project-imagine.

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Photo file 1: SooHan.JPG
Photo caption 1: Soo Han, the composer of the upcoming third piece in the Project Imagine series

Photo file 2: AwakeMySoul.JPG
Photo caption 2: Cover art for the sheet music for Awake, My Soul!, the second piece in the Project Imagine series

Photo file 3: MusicArtsLogo.JPG
Photo caption 3: Music & Arts logo

About Music & Arts:
Music & Arts is celebrating over 70 years as one of the nation’s largest band & orchestra instrument retailers and lessons providers, and is part of the Guitar Center family of brands. Based in Frederick, MD, the company operates more than 250 stores specializing in instruments sales and rentals, lessons for musicians of all levels and a nationwide repair network, serving educators, musicians and parents. More than 200 Music & Arts educational representatives provide personalized service to the music educators in their communities, supporting them and their students with in-school service calls, rentals and repairs. Through offering its services, Music & Arts spreads the power of the band & orchestra experience to transform lives, enrich communities and stir the soul.

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