Choir Ninja, With Ryan Guth

Los Angeles based Filipino composer Saunder Choi was raised in a Chinese family, and his diverse cultural background is informing his voice as an emerging choral composer. Saunder’s motive in composition is to use music to facilitate cultural exchange, telling stories that people might not otherwise hear. Ryan and Saunder discuss Philippine choral culture, family business dynamics, dead white guys, and what it was like to be an immigrant during the 2016 election in this first episode of a two-part series. Listen: Highlight to Tweet: “More and more people are composing pieces...that are not settings of poetry by dead white guys.” -Saunder Choi Show Notes: Choral Arts Initiative 5th anniversary concert will premiere of 5 new works by southern California composers, including a new piece by Saunder. Saunder had to make a hard decision to pursue composition in the US, against the expectations that he would remain in the Philippines and help run the family business. After many tours with the Philippine Madrigal Si