Cleveland: The Epicenter of Early Music in America

Cleveland, Ohio, has emerged as a true hub for the early music world, attracting the attention of the national service organization Early Music America (EMA). The city's rich musical heritage, renowned educational institutions, and acclaimed early music ensembles have made it the ideal location for EMA's 2024 Summit, a gathering that promises to captivate scholars, students, and music enthusiasts alike.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Past: EMA's Summit in Cleveland

A Convergence of Talent and Passion

Cleveland's status as a premier destination for early music is no accident. The city boasts a wealth of educational institutions that have long been at the forefront of the field, including Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Baldwin Wallace University, Kent State University, and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. These institutions have nurtured generations of scholars, performers, and enthusiasts, creating a vibrant ecosystem that has attracted the attention of EMA.

David McCormick, the executive director of EMA, recognized the city's unique potential as the host for the organization's 2024 Summit. "Cleveland felt like a really wonderful, central location," he said, citing the "critical mass of students, performers, and audience members interested in what we're doing." With a wealth of talent and a deep appreciation for early music, Cleveland has emerged as the ideal setting for this prestigious event.

Expanding the Boundaries of Early Music

The EMA Summit in Cleveland promises to be more than just a gathering of like-minded individuals. It will also serve as a platform for exploring the boundaries of early music, challenging the traditionally Western-centric perspective. "We're exploring that boundary line and pushing it over," McCormick explained, noting that the music of the Far East and Central America will be featured alongside the more familiar European repertoire.

This expanded focus reflects EMA's commitment to sharing, advancing, and better understanding the music of the past, from before 1700. The summit will feature presentations on a wide range of topics, from specific instruments to niche academic subjects, all with the goal of shedding new light on historical performance practices. "We're resurrecting techniques from the past to bring that music to life," McCormick said, "It was a different sound world back then."

A Diverse and Engaging Program

The EMA Summit in Cleveland will offer a diverse array of events and performances, catering to a wide range of interests and expertise. In addition to the ticketed concerts by the renowned early music ensembles Apollo's Fire and Les Delices, the summit will feature exclusive performances by CWRU faculty, the Indiana University Baroque Orchestra, and an Emerging Artist Showcase.

One of the most anticipated events, according to McCormick, will be the performance by the W. Crimm Singers, a professional ensemble-in-residence at Tennessee State University. They will be presenting historical Black hymnody, the church music of enslaved African-Americans, a powerful and often overlooked aspect of early music history.

The EMA Summit's open-door policy, with a range of passes allowing the general public to attend as many or as few events as they desire, reflects the organization's commitment to making the event accessible and engaging for a broad audience. "We're trying to make it useful to a broad range of folks, including listeners, and vital and exciting to attend," McCormick said.

A Homecoming for Early Music Enthusiasts

For those with a deep passion for early music, the EMA Summit in Cleveland promises to be a homecoming of sorts. The city's rich musical heritage, combined with the presence of world-renowned educational institutions and acclaimed early music ensembles, has made it a true hub for the field. As McCormick noted, "Cleveland struck me as conducive to a gathering of this type."

With a diverse program, a focus on expanding the boundaries of early music, and a welcoming atmosphere for both scholars and the general public, the EMA Summit in Cleveland is poised to become a must-attend event for anyone with a fascination for the music of the past. It's a testament to the city's enduring legacy as a center of early music excellence, and a testament to the power of this unique art form to captivate and inspire audiences of all backgrounds.