Sound of Charlotte Blog
Building Bridges Through Music
February 5, 2026
The Charlotte Symphony and the Latin American Coalition
At the Charlotte Symphony, we believe music has the power to bring people together -- to listen, to learn, and to be inspired. That belief is at the heart of our growing partnership with the Latin American Coalition.
The collaboration took root in 2024, when the Coalition welcomed our inaugural CSO Roadshow performance at their annual Música Con Amigos Festival. We were honored to be invited into their space, to meet their families, and to share live orchestral music that resonated deeply with their community. The excitement and energy of that day led to our return in 2025 and sparked ongoing conversations about expanding access to music education for young children in the community.
CSO Roadshow at Música Con Amigos Festival
From those conversations, the Bridge Program was born. Now underway in East Charlotte, the program gives young students violin and viola lessons, opening doors to creative expression while building confidence, discipline, and joy.
"La Coalición's partnership with the CSO has evolved beyond any expectation. A great example is our new Bridge Program, which provides violin lessons at our site in East Charlotte -- providing access to young people who otherwise would not be exposed to the beauty and powerful life-changing impact of music. It is truly a bridge... to hope, belonging, and self-realization. Gracias!"
~ José Hernandez-Paris, CEO, Latin American Coalition
Partnerships like this allow the Symphony's mission to extend beyond the concert hall. They remind us that when we listen closely, collaborate thoughtfully, and invest in the next generation, music can truly become a bridge -- connecting people, opening doors, and creating new opportunities.
The Making of Become Ocean
February 11, 2025
Imagine stepping into a space where music surrounds you. Where light shimmers and shifts like the surface of the water. Where sound flows in waves, washing over you from every direction. This is Become Ocean, a groundbreaking immersive concert experience presented by the Charlotte Symphony in partnership with Blumenthal Arts, coming to Blume Studios on February 28 and March 1.
John Luther Adams's Pulitzer Prize-winning composition Become Ocean is a musical exploration of the ocean's vast, mysterious power, and the ecological challenges of rising sea levels. Bringing this powerful concept to life in a way that fully immerses the audience requires a careful blend of artistic vision and technical expertise. Two Creative Directors from Visuell Immersive joined us to discuss how they're working with the Charlotte Symphony's creative team to shape this one-of-a-kind experience.
Creating an Oceanic World
Unlike a traditional concert hall, Blume Studios provides a flexible space where sound and visuals can fully surround the audience."We approached this with simplicity in mind -- not to overwhelm, but to create something elemental," explains Ian Robinson, one of the artistic minds behind Become Ocean. "Water, light, movement, and sound -- all blending into a singular, meditative experience that allows space for each audience member to bring their own 'in ocean' emotions to the surface."
From the moment audiences arrive, they will feel immersed in this world. "In the lobby, the waves greet you -- lapping at the edges, soft but vast, setting the stage for what's to come. But inside the performance space, you're pulled under, into the deep, where everything moves with weight and grace."
At Blume Studios, Ian Robinson (far right) and Aaron McCoy (seated, right) discuss Become Ocean with creative teams from the Charlotte Symphony and Blumenthal Arts.
Merging Music and Motion
To bring this vision to life, the production team is designing projections and lighting that move with the same fluidity as the music. These elements won't serve as just a backdrop, but as an extension of the music itself."The project aims to create a transformative environment that embodies the verb 'become' in Become Ocean by transporting the audience into a contemplative, beautiful, and emotionally connected oceanic space," says Aaron McCoy, Creative Director from Visuell Immersive.
At times, the space will be bathed in deep blues and shifting silvers, mimicking light refracting through water. Elsewhere, projections will ripple across the walls, expanding and contracting with the ebb and flow of the orchestra.
"The way light moves in water is unpredictable -- sometimes a shimmer, sometimes a rush," Robinson says. "Our projections mimic that fluidity, creating an environment that doesn't dictate but suggests, allowing the audience's imagination to take over."
"This isn't just a concert; it's a journey."
Floating Between Sound and Light
Rather than simply illustrating an oceanic landscape, the production invites audiences to experience the sensation of drifting within it."This isn't just a concert; it's a journey," Robinson explains. "We wanted the audience to feel like they are adrift, floating between sound and light, between the surface and the depths, with no clear beginning or end -- just the pulse of the ocean carrying them."
McCoy adds, "By the end, the light dissolves into an infinite fade, a slow retreat into silence. The ocean remains -- vast, unknowable, and ever-moving."
Experience Become Ocean
Join us for this immersive performance of Become Ocean at Blume Studios on February 28 and March 1.
... Read more
John Luther Adams: A Composer in Tune with Nature
January 8, 2025
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.
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."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."
"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.
MERGE: Symphonic x Electronic
March 28, 2024By Producer and DJ Liam Collins, known by his stage name Push/Pull
In the heart of an ever-evolving musical landscape, a remarkable fusion is taking place, one that bridges centuries of tradition with the forefront of technological innovation. On May 10 & 11, the Blackbox Theater will become the stage for an unprecedented event that promises to redefine the boundaries of sound and sensory experience.
This event, featuring a live performance by Push/Pull alongside the Charlotte Symphony, is not just a concert; it's a groundbreaking endeavor that merges classical music's rich heritage with the boundless possibilities of electronic music. The collaboration goes beyond mere performance, incorporating visual artistry by Tenorless to create a full sensory experience, unlike anything previously witnessed.
Liam Collins, Push/Pull
At its core, this fusion centers on harmony -- the beautiful synergy of multiple notes working together. Classical music has long explored the depths of tonal harmony, pushing the capabilities of human performance and physical instruments to their limits. In contrast, electronic music, with its precise control over timbres and rhythms, offers creative possibilities that transcend the constraints of traditional instrumentation.
Yet, for all its technological prowess, electronic music can sometimes miss the organic feel and virtuosity that give classical compositions their soul-stirring power. It's a reminder of our human potential and the profound emotional depth that music can reach. After all, classical music is not just a genre but a pinnacle of human artistic achievement, cultivated through centuries of dedicated exploration and mastery.
Tenorless
However, when these two worlds -- classical and electronic -- come together, they remind us that at their heart, both are simply tools in the hands of artists. Instruments and computers alike sit silently until brought to life by human creativity and passion. This event celebrates the merging of classical music's tradition, virtuosity, and composition with the expansive new sound design possibilities that electronic music provides.
As we look forward to this unique blend of past and future, tradition and innovation, we're reminded of the limitless potential of music to evolve and inspire. Join us at the Blackbox Theater on May 10 & 11 for an experience that promises to merge genres and transcend them, creating a moment in time where the essence of musical exploration is celebrated.
... Read more
In the heart of an ever-evolving musical landscape, a remarkable fusion is taking place, one that bridges centuries of tradition with the forefront of technological innovation. On May 10 & 11, the Blackbox Theater will become the stage for an unprecedented event that promises to redefine the boundaries of sound and sensory experience.
This event, featuring a live performance by Push/Pull alongside the Charlotte Symphony, is not just a concert; it's a groundbreaking endeavor that merges classical music's rich heritage with the boundless possibilities of electronic music. The collaboration goes beyond mere performance, incorporating visual artistry by Tenorless to create a full sensory experience, unlike anything previously witnessed.
Liam Collins, Push/Pull
At its core, this fusion centers on harmony -- the beautiful synergy of multiple notes working together. Classical music has long explored the depths of tonal harmony, pushing the capabilities of human performance and physical instruments to their limits. In contrast, electronic music, with its precise control over timbres and rhythms, offers creative possibilities that transcend the constraints of traditional instrumentation.
Yet, for all its technological prowess, electronic music can sometimes miss the organic feel and virtuosity that give classical compositions their soul-stirring power. It's a reminder of our human potential and the profound emotional depth that music can reach. After all, classical music is not just a genre but a pinnacle of human artistic achievement, cultivated through centuries of dedicated exploration and mastery.
Tenorless
However, when these two worlds -- classical and electronic -- come together, they remind us that at their heart, both are simply tools in the hands of artists. Instruments and computers alike sit silently until brought to life by human creativity and passion. This event celebrates the merging of classical music's tradition, virtuosity, and composition with the expansive new sound design possibilities that electronic music provides.
As we look forward to this unique blend of past and future, tradition and innovation, we're reminded of the limitless potential of music to evolve and inspire. Join us at the Blackbox Theater on May 10 & 11 for an experience that promises to merge genres and transcend them, creating a moment in time where the essence of musical exploration is celebrated.
Art in Motion: Rosalia Torres-Weiner Chosen to Design CSO Roadshow
January 31, 2024
Charlotte-based creative Rosalia Torres-Weiner and the Charlotte Symphony are set to make beautiful music (and art!) together. Rosalia, Chief Executive Artist of Red Calaca Studio, was selected from an incredible field of talented, local applicants to design a wrap for the Symphony's brand-new mobile stage, CSO Roadshow.
Launching this April, CSO Roadshow will deliver free "walk up" concerts to streets, parks, and plazas for all to enjoy, with each unique program created in partnership with the local community. Our mission is to bring the power of live music right to the heart of Charlotte's neighborhoods. An additional highlight? The 40-foot trailer will be adorned with original artwork by Rosalia, bringing the mission to life in a vibrant way.
Launching this April, CSO Roadshow will deliver free "walk up" concerts to streets, parks, and plazas for all to enjoy, with each unique program created in partnership with the local community. Our mission is to bring the power of live music right to the heart of Charlotte's neighborhoods. An additional highlight? The 40-foot trailer will be adorned with original artwork by Rosalia, bringing the mission to life in a vibrant way.
This collaboration is more than just a project for Rosalia, it's a heartfelt journey. "I feel a deep connection to the world of music, as my grandfather was a Military Band conductor in Mexico. His passion for music left a lasting impact on our family," she shared. "As a child, I was part of a junior orchestra and learned various instruments. Though my path diverged, music's influence remains a constant in my life."
Rosalia and the Symphony are now putting the finishing touches on this unique design. Stay tuned, as we'll be giving you exclusive sneak peeks of her work before CSO Roadshow sets off on its inaugural tour through our city's neighborhoods this spring.
This innovative project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the City of Charlotte; the Arts & Science Council; the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources; the Philip L. Van Every Foundation; and the Mariam & Robert Hayes Charitable Trust.
Rosalia and the Symphony are now putting the finishing touches on this unique design. Stay tuned, as we'll be giving you exclusive sneak peeks of her work before CSO Roadshow sets off on its inaugural tour through our city's neighborhoods this spring.
This innovative project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the City of Charlotte; the Arts & Science Council; the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources; the Philip L. Van Every Foundation; and the Mariam & Robert Hayes Charitable Trust.
About Rosalia
Rosalia Torres-Weiner is an artist, activist and community leader in Charlotte, NC. Her art captures the themes, colors, and rich symbolism of her native home of Mexico. In 2010, Rosalia shifted the focus of her work from commercial art to art activism, after witnessing the repeated injustices and dysfunction of our immigration system. Her work is featured in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum and has been exhibited in venues including the McColl Center for Arts and Innovation, Levine Museum of the New South, Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, the Leyland Gallery at Georgia College, UNCC's Projective Eye Gallery, the City of Raleigh Museum, the Latin American Center for Arts Gallery, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Mexican Cultural Institute at the Mexican Embassy in Washington D.C. Her public murals celebrate the rich history as well as the changing demographics of the South. She also uses her art to document social conditions and to raise awareness about issues that are affecting immigrant communities such as family separation, access to public education, racism, and moving beyond common stereotypes.
Her story "The Magic Kite" was adapted by The Children's Theatre of Charlotte, and is also performed as part of her "Suitcase Stories" one-woman show, which was featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. She has been a featured speaker for the North Carolina ASC, Johnson & Wales University, George Washington University, the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, and the Southern Foodways Alliance. Through her Red Calaca Mobile Art Studio, a 24-foot "Art Truck" she takes the arts directly to people in underserved areas in Charlotte.
Her story "The Magic Kite" was adapted by The Children's Theatre of Charlotte, and is also performed as part of her "Suitcase Stories" one-woman show, which was featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. She has been a featured speaker for the North Carolina ASC, Johnson & Wales University, George Washington University, the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, and the Southern Foodways Alliance. Through her Red Calaca Mobile Art Studio, a 24-foot "Art Truck" she takes the arts directly to people in underserved areas in Charlotte.
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