Finding Community
As a composer, I spend most of my life to myself. Whether I’m at a computer, creating a score for others to realize in their magical ways, whether I’m at a piano practicing or in a room singing and playing weird instruments to try to find a cool new sound to put in a new piece, whether I’m researching a topic that will serve as inspiration for a new work or researching the lives of unknown Black composers throughout history and geography to maintain and improve such knowledge for my own pedagogy practice – for the most part, I am physically by myself. This does not mean that I’m not spiritually communicating with others; I do believe that when we read about historical figures and when we continue a practice that is steeped in history, we are engaging in activities that strengthen a meta-community. However, this is much different than actually spending time with people physically, in a shared space, hearing their voices, interacting with them, seeing their smiles, dancing, singing, making music, embracing – this is the most direct way of interacting with people, and when such activity is repeated with the same people, then community is built.
As an active musician who travels often, it is difficult for me to find and build community. What I have found, however, is that there are certain institutions that have a type of proto-community already built-in. One such proto-community is Karaoke! I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE karaoke so much! Partly because if I could spend the majority of my life watching people perform from their hearts without any care in the world about perfection, I would definitely do so! While seeing karaoke singers who are really good at what they do is a gift, there is also something so special about watching someone who is not a musician express themselves in such a way. I have been doing karaoke for a while, but it has only been during the last 3 years that karaoke has started to take on a very important place in my heart and life. As a queer composer, queer karaoke events are even more special, as there is yet another layer of community built in!
When I came to Louisville for the first time in May 2025, I went to Norae Bar for their karaoke. Walking in the space, there was an immediate feeling of welcome and positivity. That evening, I sang two songs, which were received well. I also made friends with the bartenders, and talked to friendly karaoke-goers about Louisville and life. It was a moment that reassured me I would enjoy my time here in Louisville. Sadly, Norae Bar closed on October 18th. I was there for their last karaoke event, where I sang “Closing Time” by Semi-Sonic, “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind (which has a long “goodbye” moment), and “Inside Out” by Eve 6. I was also requested by one of the audience members to sing “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion, and she paid the host $25 to boost my position in the queue (haha!)! The final song sung that night was “End of Road” by Boyz II Men, and it was an honor to be able to sing that with the host and the bartenders and the audience members who stayed till the final moments. I left the bar at 3:10AM, full of mourning, yet so happy I had the opportunity to properly say goodbye to the first karaoake place that welcomed me here in Louisville.
-Anthony R. Green, Active Creator in Residence