What Music Is

Step into a world where science, art, and music converge in What Music Is, a transformative concert-theatre experience that explores the profound role music plays in our lives and the universe. Created by composer Bill Barclay, this immersive, family-friendly performance features a full orchestra, captivating spoken narrative, and stunning animations that bring to life the universal language of music.

Through a compelling 80-minute journey, What Music Is delves into the intricate connection between sound and the cosmos, from the harmonious vibrations of the Big Bang to the patterns found in biology and the orbits of planets. The production takes audiences on an exploration of the harmonic series, showcasing how music is woven into the very fabric of the universe and deeply embedded in our well-being.

With projections by animator Shawn Feeney and narration grounded in cutting-edge scientific research, this production reveals music’s extraordinary ability to resonate with the human brain. Whether you're a lifelong music lover or a newcomer to the art form, What Music Is invites you to experience music in a completely new light — as a living force that connects us all.

CLAUDE DEBUSSY Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faune
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Starburst for Orchestra
EDWARD ELGAR “Nimrod” from the Enigma Variations
KAIJA SAARIAHO Asteroid 4179: Toutatis
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1, “Classical”
GUSTAV HOLST “Jupiter” from The Planets