Role

:

Composer

 

Raven Chacon is a renowned composer, performer, and installation artist who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born in Fort Defiance, Arizona, in 1977, Chacon grew up in a Navajo community where he was exposed to traditional music and dance from an early age. His parents were both musicians, and his father played the guitar and sang in a country band, while his mother was a singer and dancer in traditional Navajo ceremonies. Chacon's interest in music began when he was a child, and he started playing the guitar at the age of five. He was also exposed to classical music through his mother, who was a fan of opera and would often play recordings of famous singers such as Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti. Chacon's early musical education was informal, and he learned to play the guitar and other instruments by ear. Chacon's formal musical education began when he attended the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied composition with James Tenney and Michael Pisaro. He also studied with composers such as Morton Subotnick and Wadada Leo Smith, who had a significant influence on his work. Chacon received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music composition from CalArts in 2002 and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in music composition from the University of New Mexico in 2013. Chacon's music is characterized by its experimental and interdisciplinary nature, and he often incorporates elements of performance art, installation, and multimedia into his compositions. His work explores themes such as identity, culture, and history, and he draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including traditional Navajo music, contemporary classical music, and popular culture. One of Chacon's most significant works is "The Journey of the Horizontal People," a multimedia installation that explores the history and culture of the Navajo people. The installation features a series of photographs, videos, and sound recordings that document the Navajo's journey from their ancestral homeland in the Four Corners region to their current location in Arizona and New Mexico. The installation also includes a musical composition that incorporates traditional Navajo songs and chants, as well as contemporary classical music. Another notable work by Chacon is "For Zitkála-Šá," a composition for string quartet that was inspired by the life and work of the Native American writer and activist Zitkála-Šá. The piece incorporates elements of traditional Navajo music, as well as contemporary classical music, and explores themes such as identity, cultural heritage, and the struggle for social justice. Chacon has also collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians, including the Kronos Quartet, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Navajo Nation Museum. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a United States Artists Fellowship in Music in 2014 and a Creative Capital Award in 2015. In addition to his work as a composer, Chacon is also an accomplished performer and has played in a variety of musical ensembles, including the punk rock band Blackfire and the experimental noise group Mesa Ritual. He has also performed as a solo artist and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

More....