Damien Geter: Composer, Singer, & Musical Guru

One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Partick Hughes joins podcast, composer, conductor, and singer Damien Geter who shares his unique perspective on the world of opera and his approach to music. Geter's insights, drawn from his experiences as a performer, composer, and educator, offer a compelling look into the challenges and opportunities facing classical music today.

Geter’s current projects include a string orchestra piece, and he recently completed his fifth opera. He discussed his approach to composing, stating that he considers who will sing the parts, and that being a singer himself has given him a unique understanding of how to write for the voice. Geter explained that he doesn't find it hard to write an opera because he's been immersed in the world of opera for so long. His perspective is also informed by his experience conducting operas.

Geter also spoke about the process of putting an opera together. He explained the importance of a libretto workshop before writing the music. He also noted that there are many factors influencing the timeline for a production, including when the composer turns in the music and how organized the company is. Ideally, singers need a few months to learn their roles. He noted that some companies have unrealistic expectations about the time needed to create a new opera. Geter said that he would prefer to have two years to write an opera, but he's been doing it in six months lately and it feels rushed.

A key theme in the interview was the importance of representation in opera. Geter emphasized that people are more likely to engage with opera when they see themselves represented on stage. He noted that he didn't see many people who looked like him when he was growing up, and he wants to help Black and brown kids see that they can also pursue a career in classical music. He also spoke of the importance of partnering with communities to build audiences and secure funding, since American opera companies are not state-funded. He also pointed out the need for opera companies to mix new and old works, to appeal to both new and existing audiences.

Geter's approach to music is heavily influenced by the classical tradition, particularly composers like Beethoven and Brahms. However, he also incorporates elements of his background, such as his experience with jazz, his upbringing in the church, and his perspective as a Black person in the United States. He notes that his music will inherently have elements of his identity even if he's not intentionally writing about those experiences. He wants to have some years where he's not expected to write with a social bend.

Geter spoke about his love for history, which led to him co-authoring a book that examines the social and political context of Western European music. He pointed out that people will likely look back at the art of the 2016-2020 era and understand how much it was influenced by events of that time, such as the Black Lives Matter and Me-Too movements. In addition to his music career, Geter has also had some success as an actor, with a role in the television show Grimm.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Damien Geter for sharing his life and music. You can find more info at https://www.damiengetermusic.com. For a list of recordings played on today’s episode please check out our show notes.

You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org or DevinPatrickHughes.com including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music.