New England Conservatory's Contemporary Musical Arts Department Reimagines The Music Of David Bowie This Month

Hear David Bowie's music as you've never heard it before on Wednesday, April 17 when New England Conservatory's Contemporary Musical Arts Department pays tribute to an icon of pop culture in The Music of David Bowie, a program curated by faculty member Lautaro Mantilla in collaboration with Eden MacAdam-Somer and Anthony Coleman. For 50 years, David Bowie created a body of work that expanded the boundaries of pop culture, musical styles, gender, sexuality, social justice, protest, and fashion. 

“In a unique way,” says Mantilla, “Bowie's music is shocking yet very familiar, glamorous yet tasteless, peaceful yet dynamic and violent, joyful yet horrific and confusing.” The 7:30 p.m. performance takes place in NEC's Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. Admission is free, tickets are required. For information visit NEC's website.

By re-imagining music from Bowie's collaborations with artists like Brian Eno and Iggy Pop, working on re-compositions of Bowie's iconic songs, and performing original compositions by students and faculty inspired by Bowie's body of work, the CMA Department showcases the powerful legacy of one of the most influential artists of this generation. Among the featured tunes are “Heroes,” “Life on Mars,” “Starman,” “The Man Who Sold the World,” “Changes,” and “Moonage Daydream,” all heard in new arrangements and unique, varied instrumental configurations including solo, duo, trio, chamber orchestra, and four different rock bands.

The concert also includes videos and multimedia reflecting Bowie's interest in visual arts and featuring NYC-based contemporary artist and fashion stylist Kimberly Cunningham, renowned for her work in fashion focusing on cultivating individuality, creativity, and self-expression. For this performance, Cunningham presents her own take on Bowie's relationship with fashion and movement.

In his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, David Byrne described David Bowie as “a shrink and a priest who welcomes us to a brave new world.” As Bowie himself said, “I always had a repulsive need to be something more than a human. I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring.”  

About New England Conservatory (NEC)

Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, the New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston's rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians' impact on advancing our shared humanity, and empowers students to meet today's changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance.

As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz and contemporary improvisation. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, it empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!