&Violin is an ongoing commissioning and recording project that supports the creation, recording, and distribution of new pieces for violin and other instruments. 

In this first round, I’ve commissioned five duos by five composers: Gala Flagello, Michael Kropf, Karalyn Schubring, Nicholas Felder, and Griffin Candey. My prompt for each of them was to write a piece that showcases their self and their musical loves: I wanted each of their identities, their loves, to shine through. Some of them wrote very personal pieces, others enjoyed the opportunity to write something outside their regular practice, and some did both. 

With each of these recordings, you’ll find a link to purchase the sheet music. I’d be thrilled for any of you – students, teachers, performers at any point in your career – to support these composers by buying their music and playing it yourself. Make your own recordings, share them, and help these voices be heard as widely as they deserve.

The commissioning and recording of these first five pieces was supported by a Faculty RCI (Researching, Catalyzing, Innovating) Grant from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The recordings were completed in the Davis Studio at SMTD in 2023, with Doug Perkins producing and Sly Pup Productions providing engineering, lighting design, editing, and post-production.