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Kori Cusick, a CSO Student Ambassador, is majoring in arts administration and policy at Harold Washington College, part of City Colleges of Chicago.
Korl Cusick, a student at Harold Washington College, majoring in art administration and policy, is a CSO Student Ambassador. She will interview Maestro Thomas Wilkins as a part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s College Night preconcert event March 23.
Ahead of that event, she discussed her interest in the arts, the CSO Student Ambassadors and this week’s CSO program:
Have you always been interested in the arts? Are you a musician yourself?
I’ve been creating since I was 3. It began with designing and sewing clothes with my grandmother, to sculpting and drawing in middle school, writing in high school, and now, crochet and dance. Growing up in a rural Arkansas town, I had to get creative in the ways I expressed myself! A lot of what I learned about art and music was through deep dives on the internet and monthly Teen Vogue magazines.
Throughout all my creative endeavors, music has been the solitary constant. It’s become something I rely on to get through my day, and I love sharing that passion with others. I am learning how to play the violin, but I’ve got a long way to go!
What genres of music do you prefer? Who are your favorite musical artists?
I listen to everything under the sun! My dad raised me on bands like Pearl Jam and Tool, while my mom listened to early 2000s R&B and Depeche Mode. Currently, my go-to genres are bossa nova, city pop, Mexican oldies and shoegaze rock. My favorite artists of all time are James Blake, Mulatu Astatke [known as the father of Ethiopian jazz], Rihanna and anything that has been produced by Pharrell. They all make music you feel in your bones.
What made you decide to go into art administration and policy?
My pathway is dedicated to those around me. Kendall Hill, the student arts programmer with the Chicago Public Schools system, got me involved with the art community here when I moved to Chicago three years ago. He showed me what it meant to be an artist.
Last November, Juan Neira-Solano, the development manager at the Design Museum of Chicago, chatted with me about arts administration when I was considering going back to school. He was so passionate about it that I decided to switch my career path on the spot and go into arts admin.
What could classical music administrators do to attract a younger audience on a regular basis?
Everything begins with children. If a child is interested in something, everyone around them will be more open to getting involved as well. There are a lot of preconceived notions surrounding classical music, so making sure that there is accessibility for everyone is step one.
I got to see a free CSO performance last summer at Millennium Park and saw lots of small children with their families. Even that small exposure from an early age could spark a new generation of musicians! Children don’t want to sit in a formal space — they want to dance, run and sing, so creating spaces for them to do that during a classically focused performance is key.
Why should students get involved as a Chicago Symphony Orchestra Student Ambassador?
Last year for my birthday, I had a group of friends join me to see the Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A Minor performance, and we all fell in love with the CSO. Through the ambassador program, you get direct access to a network of people who enjoy music as much as you, and that’s a wonderful feeling.
The College Night concert features the CSO performing Coleridge-Taylor’s Hiawatha Suite, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and Dvořák’s famous New World Symphony, conducted by Thomas Wilkins. Why do you think this will be an interesting and engaging program for college students?
I think this program as a whole will give college students an opportunity to fall in love with the CSO. Coleridge-Taylor’s Hiawatha Suite starts off strong, and Dvořák’s New World Symphony will be a delight for “Star Wars” fans. I personally haven’t listened much to Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, but just the experience of enjoying this program surrounded by peers will be a memorable night in itself. I look forward to people watching and seeing the magic appear in the audience’s eyes.
What’s an interesting fact you learned about the music on this program while preparing for your interview with Maestro Wilkins?
I learned that Samuel Coleridge-Taylor wrote the suite and named his son Hiawatha after being inspired by the [Longfellow] poem The Song of Hiawatha. It shows you how powerful music — and art in itself — can be for people. I know if he named his son after the poem, it will be a wonderful piece to hear in person!
What are you looking forward to discussing with Maestro Wilkins?
Considering this will be his first orchestra performance with the CSO [he is making his debut on the CSO Classical series after appearing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and on the CSO for Kids series], I am thrilled to have the honor of speaking with Maestro Wilkins. After listening to his interview with UpBeat from 2020, I am excited to even be in the same room as him! You can hear his passion for the craft in the way he speaks about music and the consideration for the audience involved.
