COMPOSER / ARTIST

ABOUT

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. The Los Angeles Times has described his music as “something to savor” and “enormous fun to listen to,” while The Times (London) has praised Skye’s music as “deliciously head-spinning.”

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A Soulful Nexus

Akropolis Reed Quintet
Derrick Skye

Release date: September 25, 2026 on Bright Shiny Things
Press: Paula Mlyn, A440 Arts paula@a440arts.com

Following a 2025 GRAMMY¼ win for Strands by Pascal Le Boeuf, the Akropolis Reed Quintet presents A Soulful Nexus by Derrick Skye. The quintet’s 7th release is an album-length transcultural work shaped by deep listening across musical traditions. Persian classical music, Balkan vocal lines, and electronic dance rhythms intersect through intricate ornamentation and microtonal color. Across five movements, a kaleidoscope of geographies and sonic languages—rhythmic, polyphonic, groove-based, and meditative—interweave to reveal a shared purpose: music that listens to the world.

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Featured
Viola, Voice, and Correspondence
Sept 14
Viola, Voice, and Correspondence
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Ferguson Concert: Ivalas Quartet
Sept 15
Ferguson Concert: Ivalas Quartet

(photo credit Pedro SĂĄnchez)

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A Soulful Nexus with Akropolis Reed Quintet
Sept 20
A Soulful Nexus with Akropolis Reed Quintet

This concert features a pre-concert talk with composer Jennifer Higdon beginning at 2:45 pm.

Program:
Marc Mellits — Splinter
Jennifer Higdon — Rush Not The Reeds (CMT co-commission)
Derrick Skye — A Soulful Nexus **Album release performance**
George Gershwin — An American in Paris

These two concerts with Chamber Music Tulsa will feature the world premiere of a new work by acclaimed American composer Jennifer Higdon with Jennifer present at the world premeire performances.

This particular also concert celebrates the release of Akropolis’ 7th album A Soulful Nexus which comes out on September 25, 2026. CDs will be available for purchase at this event.

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A Soulful Nexus with Akropolis Reed Quintet
Sept 23
A Soulful Nexus with Akropolis Reed Quintet
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Skye, Bonis, & Shostakovich with Redlands Symphony
Oct 3
Skye, Bonis, & Shostakovich with Redlands Symphony
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Jon Armstrong’s Voluntary Breath + Bridge to Everywhere
Oct 10
Jon Armstrong’s Voluntary Breath + Bridge to Everywhere

Bridge to Everywhere is thrilled to perform works by Ann Southam, Derrick Skye, and James Waterman, as well as the centerpiece work “Voluntary Breath” by Jon Armstrong. This concert is held in conjunction with the Music + Healing Initiative at Mount Saint Mary’s University, honoring the legacy of Sister Callista Roy, nurses, and all healers.

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A Soulful Nexus with Akropolis Reed Quintet
Oct 22
A Soulful Nexus with Akropolis Reed Quintet

Join Akropolis for their residency at Hope College in Holland, Michigan!

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‘Tesseract' World Premiere with NEC Philharmonia
Oct 28
‘Tesseract' World Premiere with NEC Philharmonia

Tonight's concert features two new works — Gabriela Lena Frank's Frida y Diego Suite (2025) and Derrick Skye's new double concerto — and two staples of the orchestral literature — excerpts from the Berlioz RomĂ©o et Juliette and Ravel's :a valse. NEC alumnae Tessa Lark, violin, and Deborah Pae, cello, return to Jordan Hall as soloists in the concerto.

The live stream of this event is available to NEC Community members only. To watch the stream, please click the “Streaming Access” button at the top of the page and enter the NEC Community streaming password on the video window labeled “NEC-Produced Stream” when prompted.

Gabriela Lena Frank: Frida y Diego Suite (2025) from El Ășltimo sueño de Frida y Diego 
Derrick Skye: Tesseract (world premiere)
Tessa Lark, violin
Deborah Pae, cello

Intermission

Berlioz: Romeo alone and the Capulet’s Ball from Romùo et Juliette
Ravel: La valse

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Orchestra conductor leading a large orchestra during rehearsal or performance in a concert hall.