Play Out commissions a range of artists who contribute their talents and creative energy to each family concert. A growing list of artists, poets, and composers include:
Columbian illustrator Jorge Carvajal created eight animated images, each representing a different human emotion, for a concert titled Play Out! These images were inspired by music of Felix Mendelssohn, Sufjan Stevens, Jessie Montgomery, and Thomas Tallis, performed live with poetry by Jennifer Wynn. This concert was performed by musicians of The Knights, and was co-presented by The Knights, GatherNYC, and WQXR.
Educator and entrepreneur Jennifer Wynn wrote original poetry for a concert titled Play Out!, with each poem representing a different human emotion. Her work was inspired by music of Felix Mendelssohn, Sufjan Stevens, Jessie Montgomery, and Thomas Tallis, as well as the illustrations of Columbian artist Jorge Carvajal. This concert was performed by musicians of The Knights, and was co-presented by The Knights, GatherNYC, and WQXR.
Original Compositions commissioned by Play Out, and composed for members of the Knights:
Juilliard Pre-College student Devon Lee (top left) composed A Toy Boat’s Shanty in 2024 for violin, viola, cello, and marimba, for a program titled Stay On It! Musical Patterns. Performed by musicians of The Knights, at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum / WQXR Classical Kids Fair.
Juilliard Pre-College student Asha Melvani composed Windchimes in 2024 for cello and bass, for a program titled Game On! Playful Interactions of the Cello and Bass. Performed by Caitlin Sullivan, cello, and Lizzie Burns, bass, at the Queens Museum / WQXR Classical Kids Fair.