So, it’s the first blog post for VOC. There is so much one could talk about: our recent performance of Luciano Berio’s “Circles” (I’m still hearing Laura Mercado-Wright’s sturdy mezzo resounding in my head), composers’ projects like Rapido and Young Composer’s Contest, or even Claude Baker’s visit to our upcoming concert in May.

But scratch the publicity for a moment. While VOC is about putting on fabulous concerts and premiering works that you (guaranteed!) won’t hear anywhere else in Dallas County, VOC is not just a faceless organization. Voices of Change is run by a group of diverse individuals who work together, work hard and work passionately to provide the music they care about to the public. And I think that deserves some inaugural blog attention.

My experience with Voices of Change began last July. I had moved to Dallas in June, and as a lonely composer I was desperate to get involved with the local new music scene. After doing some extensive research, it looked like Voices of Change WAS the local new music scene. I called their number and left a voicemail offering my services as a volunteer to the organization; General Manager Eileen McKee returned my call within a week. She invited me to come by the office and have a chat about how I could contribute.

I was open to contribute any way I could. I figured there would be the usual volunteer/intern services desired: copying, envelope-stuffing, filing… heck, as the new volunteer, I was even ready to go on coffee runs for uppity board members and busy musicians. I didn’t expect much: I just wanted to be around new music and felt happy to have the opportunity to work for such an established organization.

Eileen and I seemed to get along well, so she invited me to help on a regular basis. As expected, my first visit involved some copying and filing. Then Eileen asked me, would I like to help write a small publicist blurb? “Sure!”  Want to do some grant-writing? “Yup!” Care to meet the artistic director and superb violinist of the ensemble, Maria Schleuning, when she came in next week? “Yes!” How would I like to come to the next board meeting? “Absolutely!“

All of this was already a warm welcome from Eileen, but when I actually arrived at the board meeting the words “warm welcome” took on a whole new meaning. Eileen immediately introduced me to all the board members: Arend, (the host of the meeting, who welcomed me with a German handshake and a grin), Alex, Maria, Bill (treasurer extraordinaire), Terry, Francis (fellow composer and always a funny joke at hand), Karen, Francisco, Heather (warmest personality you’ll ever meet), Jack, and Harvey (VOC President). I was shown a seat at the main table, thanked profusely for my volunteer efforts, passed some wine and cheese and the meeting began.

Now I was seeing the real gears of the organization. For two hours, the Board under Harvey’s direction discussed current projects, evaluated budget options, and proposed new endeavors. The Board laughed, debated, and exercised their creativity for new ideas. It became clear within minutes that this was no stuffy confluence of big-wigs and self-important decision-makers: this Board possessed personable and caring members who all had a heart for new music and who passionately contributed to making that music happen in the Dallas community.

What’s more, as a twenty-five year old composer I expected the professionals to see me as the young rookie, present only to learn. But the VOC team asked my opinion about young audiences and valued my input in the discussion. Later, individual board members came up and expressed interest in getting to know me as a composer and as a person. After the meeting was over, I went home feeling welcomed, inspired, and wondering if I had perhaps found the professional community I was looking for.

So, ten months later and here I am, now a fellow board member of Voices of Change. I am lucky at such a young age to be a part of this board. In the last ten months, my first impressions of the group have been cemented into firm convictions. There is so much one can praise about the VOC musicians, concert events, educational endeavors and community contributions. But the public successes of the Voices of Change ensemble are what they are because of the fantastic group of individuals that run behind the scenes, and rarely do those folks get the praise for their hard work and dedication. Thank you, from one of your newest members, VOC Board, for teaching me the ways of a great organization and for exhibiting such passion not just for new music but also new people in the Dallas music community!