Grammy-nominated musician and composer Patrice Rushen collaborated with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra for their July 3 Fanfare on the Square program, featuring her piece “Fanfare and Fantaisie.”
Rushen’s musical journey began early in her life as a classically trained pianist, nurtured by teachers who emphasized the joy and communicative power of music. “I was brought into music very early in a way that offered joy to both myself and others,” said Rushen.
High school was a pivotal point for Rushen, when she decided she wanted to do music as a career. Rushen’s exposure to jazz at an all-black school deepened her appreciation for various musical styles and improvisation.
Her love for television music inspired her to become a film composer, captivated by the diverse musical themes she heard on TV. “I liked a lot of different kinds of music and didn’t see myself doing just one style,” Rushen explained. This diverse background has enabled her to blend jazz, pop, rock and classical music, making her a versatile artist.
When asked about her connection to Madison, Rushen shared, “I did some work with the Division of the Arts on the UW-Madison campus and also collaborated with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra last year.” This relationship was formed through Dr. Bill Banfield, the WCO’s former composer-in-residence. Dr. Banfield aimed to bring more composers of color into WCO’s work to enrich the orchestra’s repertoire and audience diversity.
“My goal was to help them find more composers, particularly living composers of color, to build relationships with,” Rushen explained. “This broadens the audience by presenting new music and new associations.” Rushen’s involvement with the WCO has become a rewarding partnership and their rapport continues to grow. “It feels like I’ve known everybody for a long time, even though it’s been a very short time,” said Rushen.
Discussing her collaboration with the WCO, Rushen shared her excitement about presenting her orchestral compositions. “The symphonic orchestral space is something a lot of people don’t know about me,” she revealed. Her piece, “Fanfare and Fantaisie,” is a work that she describes as celebratory and full of triumph and wonder. “I hope it’s just fun for people to listen to,” said Rushen.
Rushen emphasized the importance of ensemble music in her musical journey growing up. Learning to play the flute in middle school, she was drawn to the communal aspect of orchestral music. “I always liked the idea of the different colors represented in the orchestra,” said Rushen.
Balancing her work in contemporary compositions and classical repertoire, Rushen enjoys wearing different musical hats. Whether touring with her pop group in Europe or composing for orchestras, she finds joy in exploring various musical dialects. “What’s beautiful for me is to play with all these different textures and colors,” said Rushen.
Rushen’s collaboration with the WCO has been gratifying. “They are really open and progressive in their thinking,” Rushen praised, noting the organization’s commitment to engaging the Madison community and breaking down perceived barriers around classical music. “It’s not just conversation and talk. There’s action,” Rushen said, appreciating WCO’s efforts to diversify the orchestra’s programming and audience.
As Rushen prepares for her upcoming European tour, she remains excited about future projects with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and looks forward to their upcoming recording of “Fanfare and Fantaisie”.
