Laurel Parks
HostLaurel Parks is a violinist, composer and instructor who’s enjoyed an exciting career as a musician. She has performed with artists such as Sarah McLaughlan, Disturbed, Amy Grant, Josh Groban and Evanescence. Her music is signed to Second Nature Recordings (USA) and Arctic Rodeo (Germany). In addition to traveling through Europe with the Americana band “In the Pines,” Parks has toured all over Asia with the Mantovani Pops Orchestra. She has recorded strings for Hulu and Universal Pictures in addition to laying string tracks for countless bands and corporate clients.
Laurel’s heart lies in composing music. She currently writes, records and concertizes with modern string duo The Wires and co-writes music for the alternative Indie-folk band Of Tree. Parks also owns and teaches Drunken Fiddles, a workshop for adult beginners who want to learn to play the fiddle with a twist, and is the founder of the online music school Fiddle Life.
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Allison Loggins-Hull's music is often resonant with social and political themes of the current moment, encompassing motherhood, Blackness, and cultural identity. Hear her music on this week's Sound Currents.
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It’s all hearts on this week's Sound Currents! Share the love — whether its romantic or self-love — with music fit for Valentines Day.
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This week on Sound Currents, composer and social justice artist Anthony R. Green shares how music can be a tool to increase equality in the world, as well as spark joy and understanding.
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newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. To honor this milestone, explore music from Kansas City composers — like guest Hong Hong Gianakon — in the third of a series of shows highlighting artists with local connections.
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After two weeks of music inspired by controlled substances, take time for a detox. In this episode of Sound Currents, explore music reflecting on recovery and healing with guest Ben Stevenson.
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Classical music has a long history of substances inspiring composers. Guest Seth Andrew Davis joins us for the second show in our series exploring music influenced by drugs and alcohol in light of Missourians voting for recreational use of marijuana.
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Throughout history, substances have been used to affect mood, alter perceptions of our world, and channel artistic expression. In light of Missourians voting for recreational use of marijuana, we're exploring music inspired by drugs and alcohol in a two part series on Sound Currents.
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Celebrate and enjoy the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, with music encouraging you to slow down during shorter days. Hear pieces inspired by the beginning of winter, plus a dusting of pieces taken from different faith traditions.
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From teddy bears and electric drums to pieces actually created from the sounds of children’s toys, enjoy the whimsical sounds of music inspired by toys with guest Carl Schimmel.
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newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. To honor this milestone, explore music from Kansas City composers — like guest Laura Whitney-Johnson — in the second of a series of shows highlighting artists with local connections.