Hello, we are Electric Chamber Music
Members of Omaha bands Gus & Call and McCarthy Trenching formed Electric Chamber Music in 2013 as a vehicle to perform original theatrical scores and other thematic music. Based on the compositions of Musical Director and Composer James Maakestad, the ensemble blends classical chamber music with elements of rock and jazz to create a cinematic accompaniment.
Collectively the members of Electric Chamber Music have recorded and toured, both nationally and internationally, with some of Nebraska’s most renowned musicians and bands (Bright Eyes, Mayday, Art In Manila, Simon Joyner, Mynabirds, McCarthy Trenching, Gus & Call, Big Harp, Icky Blossoms, So-So Sailors). Wu World Woo marks the second collaboration with Mac Wellman.
In May of this year, we collaborated with Mac Wellman, accomplished director Elena Araoz, and powerhouse actor Timothy Siragusa to adapt Mac Wellman's Wu World Woo from short story to staged performance at the Great Plains Theater Conference in Omaha. Our original composition is an integral part of the play, and we are right there on stage with the actor, creating the world of the play. Performed for two nights to sold-out audiences at Omaha’s Blue Barn Theater, Wu World Woo—and companion piece Horrocks (and Toutatis Too)—demonstrated Wellman’s signature brand of convention-flouting experimental theater. With set and lighting design by award-winning Broadway designer Justin Townsend, the production will be performed in late October at ArtsEmerson in Boston, MA, as one part of a 3 part show called The Madness of Small Worlds, which has been named a Critics' Pick by the Boston Globe amongst other fall productions.
This trip to Boston will hopefully be the first of many trips to a number of cities. With your help making this trip a success, you will be aiding us in all of our future endeavors to take this play and others to cities across the country without the need of funding from sites like this.
Thank you for your time and generosity!
What We Need
In short - we need $2500 for instrument rental fees in Boston to play the music for the show, and to partially cover travel expenses, living expenses, and the income we will be losing from taking time off of work.
All members of the ensemble will travel to Boston on Thursday, October 24th. There will be evening performances on Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th. There will be an additional performance at the Lyon’s Den at Wheaton College on the evening of the Sunday, October 27th.
Production Budget
Artist Fees $1000
Equipment Rental/Insurance $1200
Airfare $1700
Van Rental (two day) $200
Food/Lodging $400
Total $4500
If you know your instruments, here is a detailed breakdown of how much each instrument costs.
3 Octave Vibraphone $150.00/day
4 Piece Drum Set with stands and throne $225/day
Electronic Keyboard with stand, bench and amp $185/day
1 Fender Twin Reverb $50/day
Tech to deliver & Pickup $150
Whatever isn't raised with this campaign will come out of our pockets.
What You Get
For a $10 donation, you will receive a personalized Thank You card, with heartfelt messages from each of the four band members.
For a $25 donation, we will send you your choice of either a McCarthy Trenching vinyl or a copy of the unreleased Gus & Call album 'Will Wait Til the Weather Breaks' - as well as a personalized thank you from each of the four band members.
For a $50 donation, we will send you both a McCarthy Trenching record of your choice and a copy of the unreleased Gus & Call record 'Will Wait 'til the Weather Breaks' as well as a personalized thank you from each band member.
For a $100 donation, you will receive all previous rewards and a hand written copy of the score as we have written when we perform the piece.
For a $150 donation, you will receive all previous rewards and a digital copy of Tim Siragusa, the actor who performs the play with us, performing the piece without the music.
For a $500 donation, we will send you all available McCarthy Trenching Records, a copy of the unreleased Gus & Call record, and one of us will write and record a short song for you or a loved one.
For a $1000 donation, Our percussionist and accomplished chef Daniel Ocanto will prepare dinner for you and up to 9 of your friends, where you will dine with live accompaniment by Electric Chamber Music.
Limitations: Several months notice to work out a mutually agreeable performance date, performance must be in or within 3 hours driving distance of Omaha, NE unless travel, lodging, and instrument accommodations can also be provided, email us with questions regarding this!! <electricchambermusic@gmail.com>
The Impact
Through the partnerships with Hear Nebraska, Sleeping Weazel and ArtsEmerson, Electric Chamber Music will be able to reach audiences nationwide and promote the exciting artistic output of Nebraska musicians. Mac Wellman is celebrated as a vanguard of challenging and experimental theater, and the collaboration with Electric Chamber Music presents his work with new color and depth. Support from the Nebraska Arts Council will strengthen the momentum of the Wu World Woo production team to present to the piece to audiences outside of Nebraska, while drawing attention to Nebraska’s rich and vibrant artistic culture.
Other Ways You Can Help
Come see the play! We perform October 25th and 26th at Emerson College's Paramount Center in Boston, Massachusetts. You can purchase tickets here.
Watch a video of a song from the Gus & Call record!
