University of Texas-Austin Percussion Professor Tom Burritt stops by to talk about his work with the Vocal Ensemble Conspirare, social justice, and recent controversies at the school (04:30), selecting and commissioning literature and how that has changed over the years (26:30), getting the Texas job, taking over from George Frock, the challenges of recruiting in the state, and the awesomeness of Austin (35:30), the recent problems from the deep freeze (56:30), and growing up near Buffalo, his (short) opera career, and his relationship with his cousin and fellow percussionist Michael Burritt (01:03:30).

Finishing with a Rave on The Black Church: This is Our Story. This is Our Song (01:29:20).

Links:

Tom Burritt’s University of Texas-Austin homepage

Matthew Shepard Oratorio - Craig Hella Johnson

Yaz Lancaster

Texas Tribune and “The Eyes of Texas”

“Perfectly Voiceless” - Devontaé Hynes

Third Coast Percussion