Paving the Way: Concert Curation
“Paving the Way” is an interdisciplinary concert series designed to transform concerts into immersive spaces through creativity, collaboration, and curiosity, fostering lifelong appreciation for music performance.
The Vision
Paving the Way reimagines how professional orchestras can engage—by “bringing music to life” through discovery, exploration, and education. This initiative offers a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to concert curation, designed to deepen artistic understanding, foster cultural literacy, and inspire meaningful connections between performers, educators, and audiences.
Each iteration of Paving the Way is uniquely developed to align with the ensemble’s artistic mission and community goals. By partnering across musical and non-musical disciplines, every collaboration becomes a customized educational experience that enriches the artistic process and amplifies the orchestra’s impact.
Why it Matters
Paving the Way helps orchestras become not only centers of performance, but centers of education and cultural inquiry. By merging artistry with scholarship and collaboration, each project:
Builds a more informed, engaged, and inspired community of musicians and listeners
Strengthens institutional commitment to education, inclusion, and innovation
Creates performances that resonate intellectually, emotionally, and socially—both onstage and throughout the community
Inter Alia: North Carolina Trees
3-day Interdisciplinary Residency
October 22-24, 2025
Nature, Sound, & Collaboration: A Celebration of Ecology, Poetry, and Music
Part 1: Poetry Reading with Ishion Hutchinson
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Hanes Gallery – Wake Forest University
Part 2: Composition Masterclass with David Kirkland Garner
Thursday, October 23, 2025
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Part 3: Creative Movement Class
Movement Ecologies (ENV 303-A) with Prof. Janice Lancaster-Larsen
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Wellbeing Center – Wake Forest University
Part 4: Creative Discussion & Open House Event
Open House Mixer and Discussion with Ishion Hutchinson, David Kirkland-Garner, and hosted by Dr. Kaitlyn Moore
Friday, October 24, 2025
The Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability – Wake Forest University
Part 5: Pre-Concert Lecture
Singing as We Circle: Branch, Blossom, and Bond in Inter Alia," with Dr. Lucy AlfordSinging as We Circle: Branch, Blossom, and Bond in Inter Alia," with Dr. Lucy Alford
Friday, October 24, 2025
Scales Fine Arts Center – Wake Forest University
Part 6: Concert Performance
Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52 by Jean Sibelius
Inter Alia, North Carolina Trees (World Premiere)
Poetry by Ishion Ira Hutchinson (b. 1983)
Read by Ishion Ira Hutchinson
Inter Alia, North Carolina Trees for soprano and orchestra (World Premiere)
by David Kirkland-Garner (b. 1982)
Friday, October 24, 2025
WFU Symphony Orchestra + UNCSA Symphony Orchestra
Brendle Recital Hall – Wake Forest University
Project Partners
Wake Forest University
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts
Wake the Arts Center, Wake Forest University
Bookmarks, Winston Salem, NC
Department of Music, Wake Forest University
Department of Environment & Sustainability Studies, Wake Forest University
The Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University
The Office of Sustainability, Wake Forest University
The Humanities Institute, Wake Forest University
Special Guests
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Ishion Hutchinson
POET
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David Kirkland-Garner
COMPOSER
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Jodi Burns
SOPRANO
Interested in having a Paving the Way performance for your own ensemble?
Aaron is available to collaborate with your team to build both long and short-term Paving the Way series that will engage performers, staff, and audience members.
Past Paving the Way projects
Click on the pictures or links below to learn about a specific project
