In this episode Parker Interviews Idaho State University’s new assistant concertmaster Dr. Laurana Wheeler Roderer. They discuss her previous works that revolve around sustainability and how they are important to the awareness of climate change. Throughout the episode they explore how music can connect people to environmental issues and spark a call to action. Dr. Laurana Wheeler Roderer’s work include, "A Storm We Call Progress”, this work is a chamber opera for string quartet and three voices, with a libretto co-written by Laurana Wheeler Roderer and Kirsten Barker, and music by Emma Cardon. The opera examines global sustainability through the story of a young woman coming to understand the impacts of humanity on the earth we all call home. A “Fish Out of Water”, this work for solo violin by Emma Cardon is a set of theme and variations that musically depicts a fish on a journey to find a mate, with their way blocked by treacherous obstacles and conditions. At its premiere, it was presented with original story text by Laurana Wheeler Roderer and original animations by Stacy Nuñez. And “Letters from the Anthropocene”, this song cycle for voice and piano with text by Laurana Wheeler Roderer and music by Jessica Rudman examines climate change from the perspective of an expectant parent.
Sustainable Idaho: Dr. Laurana Wheeler Roderer
