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KMFA OFFBEAT SERIES PRESENTED BY ESTES AUDIOLOGY

CLOSE TO HOME

WITH DANIEL FEARS

***SOLD OUT***

April 7 & 8 at 7:00 p.m. | Draylen Mason Music Studio

Close to Home is an intimate performance that reimagines works by Austin-based R&B artist Daniel Fears  for a classical chamber ensemble with arrangements by a diverse cast of local and international composers including Mobley, Anthony R. Greene, and Nate Laningham. 

“Keep On,” is the first in a series of songs arranged for a quintet of strings, classical guitar and three voices. It was originally released in May of 2022 and caught Laningham’s attention. Nate approached Daniel with the idea of arranging the song for a string ensemble. Daniel, who began his musical career as a conservatory trained trombone player (earning a Bachelor’s from University of Texas and a Graduate degree from Yale), was immediately drawn to the idea. However, he had some reservations. “In music school at Yale I was one of five black classical musicians,” Daniel says. “I spent a lot of time feeling like I didn’t fit into that world, like I always had to ask for permission to be there. It wasn’t until I started creating R&B, soul, and popular music that I began developing my own voice and learning how to take up more space.”

Together, the two collaborators developed a plan to reconcile the two worlds–bringing Daniel’s R&B songs into the classical space. They’d do it with an ensemble of musicians of color and a diverse gathering of composers. Each song would be unique, with each composer bringing their own perspective, taste and lived experience to the project. The full performance on April 7 & 8 will be an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the Austin music community and create common ground between Austin’s classical and contemporary music lovers.

Tickets include complimentary sips from Tito's Handmade VodkaStill Austin, and wine by BOXT

SOLD OUT

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor:

Thanks to the following for their support of this performance:

Reed and Heather Arnos

  

Complimentary beverages for guests at the event are courtesy of:

          

KMFA OFFBEAT SERIES

The performance series by KMFA highlights ensembles contributing to Austin’s vibrant contemporary classical music scene using KMFA’s beautiful Draylen Mason Music Studio. Through the Offbeat Series, KMFA hopes to reach not only existing fans, but also cultivate a new audience for these exciting contemporary works. Spring concerts have included Panoramic Voices presenting BORDERLAND in February, which activated the entire KMFA building, and CLOSE TO HOME with Daniel Fears on April 8. Tickets for the Daniel Fears concert are available now.

Fall Offbeat Series participants and works will include VAMP on September 9 and Adelante Winds on October 7. Program details for these concerts will be released later this year.

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Event Details

Ticket Information

  • Cost: $25.00

Presenter Details

  • Name: Daniel Fears
  • His mother was the music director at his church where he played drums, and he played trombone at school eventually graduating from UT and Yale intending to pursue a classical music career. However, pop music's forbidden allure grabbed him and we should all be thankful it did.

Venue Details

  • Address: 41 Navasota Street
  • City: Austin
  • State: TX
  • Zip: 78702