Poster Derrick Skye
Derrick Skye is an acclaimed Los Angeles-based composer and musician known for his transcultural approach to music, integrating various musical practices from cultures around the world into his work with Western classical communities.
Hannah Arista
Extra Eclectic

An American Mirror

Extra Eclectic - July 6, 2026

We're extending the July Fourth weekend just a little bit more on this week's episode of Extra Eclectic, as Steve Seel presents two hours of works by contemporary American composers. Derrick Skye's American Mirror holds up a reflection on "the coming together of cultures (...) which is essential to the wellbeing of American society," while Jennifer Higdon's American Canvas presents musical impressions of the work of American painters. We also enjoy music by Jessie Montgomery, Shelley Washington, Curtis Stewart and much more. Listen now!

Playlist

Aramaic Fuel Tube
Composer: Paul Schoenfield
Soloists: Min Kwon, piano
Delos 3629

Can You See?
Composer: Allison Loggins-Hull
Conductor: Franz Welser-Most
Orchestra/Ensemble: Cleveland Orchestra
TCO Media 17

The Block
Composer: Carlos Simon
Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
Orchestra/Ensemble: National Symphony Orchestra

Stay On It
Composer: Julius Eastman
Orchestra/Ensemble: Wild Up
New Amsterdam 164

Middleground
Composer: Shelley Washington
Orchestra/Ensemble: PUBLIQuartet

Inspired By James Weldon Johnson: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Composer: Curtis Stewart
Soloists: Curtis Stewart, violin
Bright Shiny Things 243

Let Freedom Ring
Composer: Shara Nova
Conductor: Dianne Berkur Menaker
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brooklyn Youth Chorus
New Amsterdam 105

Ye, Who Seek the Truth
Composer: Julia Perry
Conductor: James Blachly
Orchestra/Ensemble: Experiential Orchestra

Statue of Liberty
Composer: Laurie Anderson
Soloists: Lara St. John, violin
Ancalagon 145

Starburst
Composer: Jessie Montgomery
Orchestra/Ensemble: String Orchestra

American Mirror, Part 1
Composer: Derrick Skye
Orchestra/Ensemble: Sphinx Virtuosi
DG 4867758

Amazing Grace
Composer: H. Leslie Adams
Soloists: Will Liverman, baritone
Cedille 200

Air for Violin
Composer: Aaron Jay Kernis
Conductor: Eiji Oue
Orchestra/Ensemble: Minnesota Orchestra
Soloists: Truls Mork, cello
Virgin 45464

American Canvas
Composer: Jennifer Higdon
Orchestra/Ensemble: Dolce Suono Trio
Innova 991

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Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

An American Mirror

An American Mirror

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel extends the 250th anniversary celebrations with two hours of works by contemporary American composers, including Derrick Skye, Jennifer Higdon, Jessie Montgomery, Shelley Washington, Curtis Stewart and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
International and domestic music

International and domestic music

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ highlights international composers and cross-cultural collaborations with works by Gabriela Ortiz, Johann Johannsson and more. In the second hour, host Steve Seel begins a tribute to contemporary American classical music ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Listen now!

1:58:59
Music for the summer solstice

Music for the summer solstice

Host Steve Seel features contemporary classical sounds for summer on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ including Jonathan Bailey Holland’s ‘Halcyon Sun,’ Peteris Vasks’ ‘Music for a Summer Evening,’ and the late Michael Tilson Thomas’ ‘Sunset Soliloquy.’ Listen now!

1:58:59
Cross-cultural collaborations

Cross-cultural collaborations

On this episode of Extra Eclectic, Steve Seel brings us examples of composers and performers reaching across cultural lines, including Terry Riley’s ‘The Cusp of Magic,’ Dan Visconti’s ‘Native Tongues’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:58
Extra-musical elements

Extra-musical elements

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear works featuring unorthodox instruments and compositional approaches, including Echo Collective’s ‘Unknown Gates’ and Molly Joyce’s ‘It Has Not Taken Long for You to Break.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Rounds, canons and reflections

Rounds, canons and reflections

“Row, row, row your boat,” “Frere Jacques”: rounds are familiar to us all. Make a round a little more complex, and you might get a canon or a fugue. On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel explores a host of such works. Listen now!

1:58:59
Feathered friends

Feathered friends

Get your binoculars out for this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’! Host Steve Seel brings us two hours of new classical works about birds, including Jennifer Higdon’s ‘An Exaltation of Larks,’ John Luther Adams’ ‘Strange Birds Passing’ and Jocelyn Morlock’s ‘Oiseaux Bleus et Sauvages.’ Listen now!

1:58:59
A spring meditation

A spring meditation

With spring in full bloom, Steve Seel brings us a bounty of “green sounds” in the first hour of this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ from Jeffrey Mumford’s ‘verdant cycles of deepening spring’ to Clint Needham’s String Quartet No. 1 (‘Shades of Green’). Listen now!

1:58:59
Beats, Bach and Beethoven

Beats, Bach and Beethoven

Composers have quoted, borrowed from, and paid tribute to earlier composers for centuries, and Steve Seel brings us some contemporary examples on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Featured composers include Caroline Shaw, Greg Saunier and Curt Sydnor. Listen now!

1:58:59
May the fourth

May the fourth

This annual “Star Wars Day” provides the inspiration for the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with works about space and stars. Steve Seel also pays tribute to composer Michael Harrison, who died on April 17, with a performance of his ‘Just Constellations.’ Listen now!

1:58:58
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