Page 41 - Phil opening night program digital final

“What is that?” That gives me an opportunity to introduce two years ago, and this performance with the Phil will be
them to a different way of thinking about music. only the second time it has been performed.
I believe music is a tool for everyone, not just musicians. It I’m so excited to be in Plymouth this fall, and grateful that
can be a way to be with yourself and discover what’s inside the Phil has taken me in. There’s such a beautiful balance
you. The theremin has become part of that philosophy for of familiarity, newness, and wonder in this music. I hope
me. As I teach, I’m developing my own approach to using it audiences will listen and allow themselves to be taken for
as a tool for self-discovery, paying attention to what your a ride.
body is doing and learning to be less rigid. Want to hear the inspiration behind the music?
Listen to Caroline’s album Space before the concert,
What makes the theremin’s sound so distinctive, then see if you can hear the connections to “For the
and what do you love most about it? Birds” and “Altitude Sickness” when you experience
There are so many sonic possibilities. I can connect the the concerto live.
theremin to effect pedals and completely change its https://on.soundcloud.com/Xu40vF30JijeudxtNC
timbre. With just a movement of my hand, I can create
something that sounds more alien and then quickly morph
it into something that resembles a string instrument or a
human voice. Caroline: RAPID FIRE
I love being able to paint with sound. I’m very synesthetic
in the way I approach music—I’m always trying to create CATS OR DOGS? Kittens.
a sonic picture.
For example, I once created a piece inspired by birds. I was MOUNTAINS OR OCEAN? Mountains.
able to use the pitch antenna and the movement of my VINYL, CD, OR STREAMING? Vinyl.
fingers to create bird-like sounds.
I love dreaming up a vision and then asking myself, “Now, WHAT’S CURRENTLY ON REPEAT? Hadestown.
how am I going to create that?”
THE STRANGEST QUESTION YOU’VE BEEN
What are you most looking forward to about ASKED ABOUT THE THEREMIN?
performing with the Phil for The Question of “People looking at me is the question.”
Sound?
This is one of the hardest pieces of music I’ve ever played. DESCRIBE MUSIC IN ONE WORD.
It spans six to seven octaves, so having all of that in my
mind and in my hand is incredibly challenging—and
expanding. Healing
The piece originally came about when the Ohio Symphony
reached out to me. I had about a month to prepare, and I
dove into it. I posted a short clip on TikTok that went viral,
especially within the classical music world, which got Learn More
people excited about the possibilities of the piece and the Visit Caroline Scruggs online to
theremin. learn more about her music,
I then worked with composer Linda Kernohan to expand the performances, teaching,
piece and make it more personal to me. She was inspired and the theremin.
by my first album, Space: Movement 2 of the concerto is https://www.carolinescruggs.com/
based on my song “For the Birds,” while Movement 3 draws
from “Altitude Sickness.” The expanded work premiered

Season 2026/27 Music is the Answer! ~ 39