By SHANA SLOMA
news@readthereporter.com
After two years of collaborative creativity, Parma Recordings will release local saxophonist Cecily Terhune’s solo debut album Boon Bestowed on Feb. 9.
Inspired by author Joseph Campbell’s monomyth theory, the hero’s journey, the musical anthology demonstrates the dynamic range and pitch of Terhune’s horn on her melodic quest. The 22-track compilation depicts seven stylized movements by multiple contemporary composers including an original piece co-written with saxophonist Katie Madonna Lee.
Born and raised on north side of Indianapolis, Terhune has a bachelor’s degree and artist diploma in music performance from Ball State University. She toured internationally with Ball State Jazz Lab Ensemble. She also completed her master’s degree in music performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music followed by several years dedicated to teaching.
Though Terhune has achieved global recognition for her performances, she remains committed to providing artistic growth within her community.
She privately teaches Carmel and Noblesville high school students at their respective schools during the student’s scheduled band class. This one-on-one teaching opportunity provides the student with individualized training without compromising time after school.
Although performance is at the root of Terhune’s career success, she credits educating students with positively influencing her music.
“I really enjoy teaching,” Terhune said. “It’s a good experience for everyone. I think it also makes me a better player.”
The album spotlights the artist’s use of the four major saxophones: soprano, tenor, alto, and bass. Through the diverse and dynamic sounds of the sax, Boon Bestowed showcases Terhune’s artistry and feminist themes she spent two years creating.
According to Terhune, the album’s composition utilizes themes from Campbell’s book The Hero with a Thousand Faces from a feminist perspective.
“I used feminine pronouns in the liner notes, so it is supposed to be the ‘heroine’s journey,’” Terhune said. “It is a feminist take on Campbell’s work.”
Terhune is a member of the Committee for Gender Equity with the North American Saxophone Alliance. Boon Bestowed incorporates Terhune’s musical prowess and melodic vision of the heroine’s journey.
Parma Recordings Publicity Coordinator Kacie Brown shares her thoughts on the culmination of Boon Bestowed’s lyrical narrative.
“We get the chance to see inside Cecily and Katie’s minds a bit on Boon Bestowed as they musically illustrate the gifts these four women shared and continue to share,” Brown said. “They use different saxophones, techniques, tone colors and more, to depict these women’s legacies with the finesse and subtlety of visual artists.”
This is really awesome. I will be checking out Boon Bestowed for sure!