Composing for Change

In this episode, Ben Hunt is joined by composer and pianist Keane Southard to explore how music can become a powerful force for compassion, reflection, and social change.

At the heart of the conversation is Requiem for Animals, Keane's extraordinary choral and orchestral work that invites audiences to collectively mourn the immense loss of animal life while reconsidering humanity's relationship with the more-than-human world. Throughout the episode, you'll hear excerpts from the Requiem woven into the conversation, offering a glimpse into its emotional and musical landscape.

Together, Ben and Keane discuss the creative process behind the composition, the challenges of transforming animal advocacy into music, and the unique ability of performance to create spaces for grief, hope, and ethical reflection.

Topics include:

• The inspiration behind Requiem for Animals
• Music as a catalyst for social change
• Creativity, compassion, and animal advocacy
• Composing emotion through choral and orchestral music
• The role of grief and hope in activism
• Collaborative performance and community
• Art, ethics, and creating lasting impact
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🎼 Listen to the complete Requiem for Animals and explore more of Keane's work:

https://www.keanesouthard.com

🌐 Explore more episodes, articles, and critical reflections:

https://www.performinganimalrights.org

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others interested in music, creativity, performance, and animal advocacy.