For composer John Luther Adams, music is a lifelong search for home -- an invitation to slow down, reflect, and rediscover our place in the natural world. Deeply inspired by his experiences in the Alaskan wilderness, Adams has spent his career creating soundscapes that connect us to the environment in profound ways, including his Pulitzer Prize-winning Become Ocean. The Charlotte Symphony will perform this groundbreaking work with immersive 360-degree audio and custom lighting design at Blume Studios on February 28 and March 1, 2025.

Adams spent nearly 40 years living in northern Alaska. Immersed in the stark beauty of the Arctic, he discovered a musical voice grounded in space, stillness, and the elemental forces of nature. Adams worked full-time as an environmental activist before devoting himself completely to composition as a way to spark change, believing music could move people in ways that politics could not.

"If we can imagine a culture and a society in which we each feel more deeply responsible for our own place in the world, then we just may be able to bring that culture and that society into being."

This deep concern for the earth and humanity's future runs through all of Adams's works, particularly Become Ocean. Inspired by the ocean's vast, mysterious power and the ecological challenges of rising sea levels, the piece unfolds like waves, rising and falling, enveloping listeners in a soundscape that mirrors the ocean. But it's more than a reflection on nature -- it's a reminder of the fragile balance we must protect.

"Life on Earth first emerged from the sea. And as the polar ice melts and sea levels rise, we humans find ourselves facing the prospect that once again we may literally become ocean."



The upcoming performances at Blume Studios take this concept to another level. 360° spatial audio and custom light projections will surround the audience with sound and images. It's an innovative approach that aligns perfectly with Adams's vision of making music that is not just about nature, but that feels like nature itself.

"Although it begins in solitude, my work is completed in community. The music doesn't come fully to life until other people -- performing musicians, listeners, recording engineers, critics, and so many others -- receive it and make it their own."



Join the Charlotte Symphony on February 28 and March 1, 2025, at Blume Studios for Become Ocean.

In anticipation of Kwamé Ryan's inaugural concerts as Music Director on November 22 and 23, we're excited to share a glimpse into his remarkable background and the passion he brings to the Charlotte Symphony. Get to know the man behind the baton and what makes his vision for the Symphony so unique.

Early Inspiration

Kwamé Ryan's fascination with orchestral music began at the age of six, when he first heard John Williams's score for Star Wars at a drive-in theater in his home of Trinidad. "I was just completely absorbed by the sound of the orchestra," he says. "It was almost like I couldn't come back from that musical land far, far away."

From Cello to Double Bass

While Ryan originally hoped to play the cello, he instead took up the double bass. He went on to perform with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, where he also honed his conducting skills by assisting with rehearsals.

Champion of New Music

Hungarian composer and conductor Peter Eötvös played a pivotal role in shaping Ryan's approach to music, introducing him to contemporary works and instilling in him the importance of championing new voices in composition.


Mary Kouyoumdjian and Scout Tufankjian with Kwamé Ryan and the NY Philharmonic.

Engaging Young Audiences

Ryan is dedicated to introducing younger audiences to classical music. He recently penned an article for The Guardian, highlighting the value of connecting children with orchestral music through accessible genres like movies and video games.

Commitment to Music Education

Throughout his career, Ryan has been a staunch advocate for music education around the world. He has returned to the BBC Proms on multiple occasions to lead children's programs and served as director of the French Youth Orchestra and at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, where he advanced youth arts initiatives.

Award-Winning Premiere

In 2021, Kwamé Ryan conducted The Time of Our Singing by Kris Defoort which won the World Premier Award at the International Opera Awards 2022.

Roots in Germany

When he's not traveling, Ryan's home base is in Freiburg, Germany, nestled at the edge of the Black Forest, where he enjoys spending time on walks or bike riding.



Join us in welcoming Kwamé Ryan as he steps onto the Charlotte Symphony podium for his inaugural concerts featuring Pēteris Vasks's Musica Dolorosa and Brahms's A German Requiem, November 22 and 23. Plus, don't miss the chance to hear Ryan share his insights into the program at the pre-concert talk, starting at 6:30 pm.

Are you wondering if a trip to the Symphony is right for your little ones? Concerned they may be too young to enjoy a live concert? Read on to discover how taking kids to the symphony can support their development and why the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to presenting concerts that delight and inspire our youngest audiences.