Starting Sunday: The Curtis Factor

Coming attraction.

The Curtis Factor explores the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia’s music conservatory that is small and elite, but a powerhouse player in the classical music world. It includes three articles for print, scores of photographs, a multi-media online timeline, video components and other features.

One unusual aspect of The Curtis Factor involves the creation of a new musical score. The Inquirer commissioned Curtis student Katerina Kramarchuk to write an original trio for piano, cello and clarinet – performed by Curtis students - which is both woven throughout the online video documentary on the school and presented in its entirety in a separate video piece. In producing the package, the Inquirer spent several months interviewing and photographing Curtis students, faculty, administration and alumni.

The project is a collaboration of photographer Tom Gralish; graphic artist Cynthia Greer; video producer and editor Frank Wiese; several other editors and videographers; and yours truly.

Starting this Sunday.