{"id":22905,"date":"2024-10-04T11:14:23","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T16:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/?p=22905"},"modified":"2024-10-04T11:47:59","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T16:47:59","slug":"dr-martin-regans-the-book-of-names-to-be-performed-in-houston-by-the-apollo-chamber-players-with-narration-by-george-takei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/news\/2024\/10\/04\/dr-martin-regans-the-book-of-names-to-be-performed-in-houston-by-the-apollo-chamber-players-with-narration-by-george-takei\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Martin Regan’s ‘The Book Of Names’ To Be Performed in Houston By The Apollo Chamber Players With Narration By George Takei"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Dr. Martin Regan<\/a> will present his musical work \u201cThe Book of Names\u201d on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts<\/a> in Houston. Regan is a professor in the new Music Performance program<\/a> that just debuted this semester<\/a> in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The composition will be part of a program titled \u201cWe the People: Liberty<\/a>,\u201d produced and performed by the Apollo Chamber Players<\/a>, who commissioned Regan\u2019s piece. Actor and activist George Takei<\/a> will provide narration for \u201cThe Book of Names.\u201d Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased on the center\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regan<\/a> said the piece is a poetic musical statement intended to \u201cevoke the anguish of lost identity\u201d in memory of the Japanese Americans \u2014 more than 125,000 \u2014 who were incarcerated during World War II. They were removed from their homes and stripped of their belongings, Regan said, being \u201cforced to erase their identity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2021, the Japanese American National History Museum of Los Angeles compiled a list of names of those who were incarcerated into an exhibition piece titled \u201cIreich\u014d<\/a>.\u201d After viewing the list, Regan was inspired to compose \u201cThe Book of Names.\u201d In February, the Apollo Chamber Players \u2014 Matthew J Detrick, violin; Anabel Ramirez, violin; Aria Cheregosha, viola; and Matthew Dudzik, cello \u2014 performed the score<\/a> at the Holocaust Museum in Houston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe work begins quietly and pensively, but slowly becomes more chromatic, dissonant and builds in intensity to an agonizing climax,\u201d Regan said. \u201cAnd in this moment of silence, the performers begin to recite from \u2018The Book of Names,\u2019 offering a spoken tapestry that is woven into the musical texture. The piece ends quietly with a sense of introspection and gravitas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the performance, Regan said he was approached by an elderly Japanese American woman who recognized the names of family members and friends in a video projected on a screen behind the ensemble during the performance. After a successful premiere, Reagan said the Apollo Chamber Players became interested in reprogramming the work in a revised version with narration. They contacted Takei, known for the \u201cStar Trek\u201d television show and films and other roles<\/a>. Takei was incarcerated with his family at 5 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Takei wrote a narrative about his experience for \u201cThe Book of Names,\u201d and will present his story for the performance. According to Takei\u2019s website, he spent most of his childhood at Camp Rohwer in Arkansas and Camp Tule Lake in California. At the end of World War II, his family returned to their home in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The narrative is personal, Regan said, as Takei shares what it was like before he entered the camps, what he learned from his parents about democracy and living a life of integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe provides an opportunity for listeners to hear his story and take a moment to consider why the American government would have done this to American citizens,\u201d Regan said. \u201cIn the end he tries to examine it in a positive light and provide a model for what we can learn from our experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n An excerpt from Takei\u2019s narration reads: \u201cOur democracy is a precious ideal that requires all of us, as Americans, to actively engage with it to keep it strong and true and shining.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regan said the quote is the moral of the story: Takei and his family suffered, but through it all, they showed strength over adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGeorge has dedicated his life as an activist to try to keep his memories alive so that nothing like this happens again,\u201d Regan said. \u201cI think the text reflects his dedication to the project and what he wishes to transmit to those who will attend the performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regan said he is honored Takei wrote his account for the piece, knowing it was worthwhile for him to share his story. As the audience listens and reflects on this \u201cdark period in American history,\u201d Regan said, he hopes they are reminded to honor the memory of those who suffered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe make pilgrimages to see physical monuments because we believe there is value in not forgetting tragedy,\u201d Regan said. \u201cMy piece is like a sonic monument \u2014 instead of taking up physical space, it takes up time. But the impact should be the same \u2014 after you experience this it may prevent you from forgetting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo: The Apollo Chamber Players \u2014 Matthew J. Detrick, violin; Anabel Ramirez, violin; Aria Cheregosha, viola; and Matthew Dudzik, cello \u2014 performed <\/a>Dr. Martin Regan’s “The Book of Names” at the Holocaust Museum in Houston. Photo by Lynn Lane.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dr. Martin Regan will present his musical work \u201cThe Book of Names\u201d on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston. Regan is a professor in the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":251,"featured_media":22907,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[250,253,58],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n