Photo taken by Nathan Russell.
On Monday, May 1 at 7pm, Invoke will be presented by Independence Community College at Independence Historical Museum and Arts Center (123 N 8th St.). The group will perform several selections of their original music, in addition to performing Enigma for the Night by Jocelyn C. Chambers and The Lessons of History by Jonathan Bingham.
Invoke is an Austin-based, multi-instrumental quartet comprised of Nick Montopoli, violin/banjo/vocals; Zach Matteson, violin/vocals; Karl Mitze, viola/mandolin/vocals; Geoff Manyin, cello/vocals. They are an Austin-based group– which the Capital Gazette describes as “versatile and musically adventurous”
Driven by a passion for storytelling, Invoke’s performances feature original works composed by and for the group, which form a unique contemporary repertoire inspired by many different musical styles –– from minimalism, to jazz, to American fiddle tunes, and bluegrass. This appreciation for different genres and collaborations is found in Invoke’s performance history, which includes sharing stages with some of the most acclaimed chamber groups in the country: the Westerlies, Miró and Ensō Quartets, and the U.S. Army Field Band, as well as chamber rock group San Fermin, indie group Never Shout Never, and DC beatboxer/rapper/spoons virtuoso Christylez Bacon. Iconic spaces from where Invoke has performed include Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Green Music Center, among others.
This concert program highlights Invoke’s original compositions, extended instrumentation, and roots in the contemporary classical repertoire. Some of Invoke’s own works, like "Alchemy" and "Doorway," are inspired by books the group has read. Invoke explains that their song “Leaving” is, “an exploration of a story about a young Davy Crockett who decided to run away to London. In another sense, it’s about anyone that has felt stuck in a small town and dreamed of bigger things.” The Austinot describes Invoke’s single “Burlywood” as having “satisfying banjo picking and mandolin strums,” and that the work also “allows principal violinist Zach Matteson to let his instrument soar.” Of her piece Enigma for the Night, written when she was just 16 years old, Jocelyn Chambers explains, “It's really vulnerable and breathy and reminds me [of] car rides home with granddaddy after music school let out for the day. [It’s] one of my more personal pieces.“ Jonathan Bingham’s The Lessons of History was commissioned by Invoke in 2019 as part of their ongoing project, “American Postcards.” Bingham, like several other U.S. composers, was asked by Invoke to write a work reflecting upon a time and place in U.S. history that holds special meaning to them.
“The special thing about Invoke is…how its lively spirit and playfulness are essential to the way they approach every piece of music.” – Austin Chronicle
This project was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the State of Kansas, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Concert details:
Who: Invoke
What: Original Music by Invoke Plus Music by Jocelyn C. Chambers and Jonathan Bingham.
When: Monday, May 1, 2023 at 7pm
Where: Independence Historical Museum and Arts Center, 123 N 8th St., Independence, KS
Other Performances:
May 4: Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music - Lincoln, NE
May 5: Vesper Concerts – Omaha, NE
