This weekend, over 600 musicians will take to World’s Fair Park for a joyful collaboration and celebration of music.
Lisa Bielawa is the composer and brainchild behind the Broadcast performances, which first began in Berlin, Germany, at the historic Tempelhof, a former World War II airfield.
Knoxville Broadcast, described as a “spatial symphony,” features live performances that are spread across the amphitheater to create an active, moving sound.
“It’s not just a sound synthesis,” Bielawa said. “It’s a mix of sound sources (and) different locations. So the composition of the piece is not just about writing notes, it’s about creating maps.”
The performances are produced by Big Ears, most known for the annual Big Ears Festival. Cecilia Stair, a community outreach coordinator for the organization, describes how each performance is interactive.
“Not only do the musicians move and the groups move together, but the audience can also move through the space, and they can choose how they interact with the piece,” Stair said.
The performances will take place on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., as well as Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Each performance will run for about 45 minutes, and admission is completely free.
A composer, producer and vocalist, Bielawa uses the Broadcast performances to pay homage to the music scene and culture with performances located at historic sites in Berlin, Germany, San Francisco, California, Louisville, Kentucky, and now Knoxville, Tennessee.
“These sites were turned over to the people, to the city, and I think that’s beautiful,” Bielawa said.
The music is reflective of Knoxville’s community and history, featuring groups rooted in Knoxville’s rich music scene such as the Appalachian Equality Chorus and orchestras and bands from various Knox County Schools. Crafted with a localized touch, Bielawa works with the groups to highlight and blend their crafts to create a holistic experience.
“I got a real sense for the Knoxville musical scene and scenes, multiple musical scenes, and the depth of appreciation for music as not just an artistic field, but a social act,” Bielawa said.
These performances have more choruses than prior Broadcast performances, and it is the first time Bielawa has worked with an all-acoustic guitar group.
Bielawa keeps a music notebook close to write down small details of Knoxville’s sound. Living in Knoxville since August, she noticed the chords of the passing trains. Bielawa passed along these notes to a group of UT students led by professor of saxophone Allison Adams to incorporate the sound of the trains into the performance.
“It’s a really beautiful slice of a lot of different parts of the Knoxville music community,” Stair said.
The performances will also feature UT’s Gospel Choir, led by UT professor Shawn Turner, and College of Music students and faculty. UT professors including Maria Fernanda Castillo, Alex van Duuren and Victor Chávez, are also involved as instrumental leaders assigned to various groups.
“One interesting thing happening is how we have university professors who are working with groups they don’t typically lead,” Stair said.
There are also three pickup ensembles — the Sunsphere Singers, Found Forte and Sterchi String Band — allowing musicians of various ages and skill levels to participate.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to bring together musicians from different backgrounds who otherwise would never necessarily get to play together,” Stair said.
After months of separate rehearsals, the groups finally came together for walkthroughs, but it is impossible to have a complete rehearsal in the public space without drawing a crowd. As a result, Friday will be the first time everyone is performing together.
“What you’re going to hear if you come to see the performance … is that everybody who’s in the piece has the same level of discovery as everybody listening,” Bielawa said.
The events are ADA accessible. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks, or there are paid lunch options available. There is parking at Locust Street Garage, the surface lot adjacent to the Knoxville Museum of Art and on nearby streets around World’s Fair Park.