WORLD PREMIERE of Russian Souvenirs
Salon Concerts presents the world premier of Kathryn Mishell's Russian Souvenirs  for oboe and string quartet, on January 27, 28, and 29, in Austin, Texas. Also on the program are works by Kodály, Poulenc, and Richard Strauss. Kathryn Mishell is pianist for the Poulenc and Strauss pieces. For more information, see Salon Concerts' website.

Hear Classical Austin's January 13, 2008 interview with Kathryn Mishell and Robert Rudié: click here.

WORLD PREMIERE of Songs of War and 5-5-5-5: Death-Knell for Fire Fighters
(Remembering 9/11/01)
Austin Lyric Opera presented two world premieres by Kathryn Mishell at a Veteran's Day concert, on November 11, 2007, at Ducloux Hall in Austin: Songs of War for soprano, flute, oboe/English horn, bassoon horn, and cello; and 5-5-5-5: Death-Knell for Fire Fighters (Remembering 9/11/01) for violin, viola, cello, oboe, bassoon, horn, and narrator.

Contributions are now tax-deductible: Contributions to INTO THE LIGHT are now tax-deductible under the sponsoring umbrella of Classical Music Consortium of Austin (CMCA), a 501c3 organization.

KATHRYN MISHELL RECEIVES GRACIE AWARD: Kathryn Mishell received the Gracie statue at the awards ceremony in New York on June 19, which was awarded to Mishell and Into the Light for Outstanding Portrait/Biography for the Public Radio market. American Women in Radio and Television honored award winners at New York's historic Tavern on the Green restaurant. Right: New York news anchor Roz Abrams congratulates Kathryn Mishell on her Gracie.

2007 GRACIE ALLEN AWARD FOR INTO THE LIGHT & KATHRYN MISHELL: The 2007 Gracie Allen Awards were announced on February 27, 2007 by AWRT (American Women in Radio & Television Inc.), and Kathryn Mishell and Into the Light were proud to receive the statue for Outstanding Portrait/Biography for the Public Radio market. The Gracie Award recognizes exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of electronic media, as well as individuals who have made contributions to the industry.  Award winners will be feted in New York, in June, at the landmark restaurant Tavern on the Green.

In December 2006, Jennifer Higdon visited the Into the Light studios. Click the links below to listen to her interview with Kathryn Mishell.

Interview — Part One (5:57)

Higdon talks about the nature of her early exposure to music, what got her interested in composing, and the music that influenced her.

Interview — Part Two (2:36)

We hear Higdon discuss her piece for eighth blackbird, and the use of non-traditional instruments.

Interview — Part Three (4:21)

Composing the Piano Trio and discussion of current projects and commissions.

Interview — Part Four (1:50)

Talk of Concerto for Orchestra and Blue Cathedral.

Interview — Part Five (1:28)

Compositional goals.

Photo by Jeff Hurwitz

Kathryn Mishell's latest work,  One Thing Leads to Another, for guitar, alto saxophone and cello was premiered at Salon Concerts in Austin, Texas on Oct. 22-24, 2006.

At the February 4-6 Salon concerts, Kathryn Mishell will be performing Beethoven Trio Op.1. No.1 with Robert Rudié, violinist and Douglas Harvey, cellist.

EVENTS AT THE SCI CONFERENCE: Kathryn Mishell gave an INTO THE LIGHT, LIVE! presentation at the national meeting of SCI (Society of Composers, Inc.), on September 16, 2006. The program began with a recorded interview  with Joan Tower, followed by a recording of Fanfare No. 5 for the Uncommon Woman. Live performers included the Kobayashi /Gray Duo playing Mazourke and Tarrantella from Six Morceaux by Pauline Viardot; Charlotte Mueller, pianist, playing      Romance by Germaine Tailleferre and      Notturno by Fanny Hensel; and Elisenda Fabregas talking about her Voces de mi Tierra for flute, cello and piano. Also at the National SCI conference, Mishell's Quintet was performed on September 14.

On March 28 2006, Joan Tower visited the Into the Light studios. Click the links below to listen to her interview with Kathryn Mishell.

Interview — Part One

The writing of Sequoia, how Joan Tower came to write for orchestra, what makes a good piece of music, writing for string quartet, and the compositional process.

Interview — Part Two

The Joan Tower Fanfares, thoughts on the state of women composers and on contemporary music today, goals, and Joan Tower as performer and conductor.

Photo by Noah Sheldon