Overview
Born from a unique collaboration for Princeton University Concert's new series Healing With Music, Immunity is an intimate musical exploration of cellist Joshua Roman’s life-altering, inspiring experience of ongoing long COVID, with music ranging from J.S. Bach to George Crumb to Caroline Shaw, as well as Roman’s own compositions. The program combines performance and storytelling into an emotional journey, as the cellist confronts the impact of the illness and the limitations that nearly ended his career, before progressing through a period of doubt, struggle, refocus, and renewal, culminating in a profound acceptance of self and a deeper connection to what's most important in life.
In addition to a renewed sense of commitment to sharing music, the strong desire to bring art and life together in real time led him to the creation of this project. Over the next 2-3 years, Immunity will include an album, videos, collaborations, and concert / conversations in a variety of venues from traditional classical halls to living rooms and digital platforms. Immunity takes Roman's unique ability to connect with audiences of all kinds and melds it with his affinity for thoughtful curation that speaks to the moment, his articulate and easygoing stage presence, and his powerful virtuosity.
One Year into long COVID, Joshua Roman performs Dvorák Concerto for Cello
Roman has continued to perform despite the challenges long COVID has wrought on his life, tackling projects with violinist Tessa Lark and bassist Edgar Meyer as well as the concerto appearances which make up the bulk of his concert schedule. Here is Joshua performing Dvořák Cello Concerto with Jader Bignamini and the Detroit Symphony one year into long COVID.
Cellist Joshua Roman Plays All Six Bach Suites
Here is Joshua's performance of the Six Suites by J.S. Bach on TED's Facebook Page the week after the 2016 election, which reached 980,000 live viewers.
Juilliard Creative Associate for Immunity
Joining the Juilliard School as a Creative Associate for the 2023-24 academic year, Joshua will be workshopping collaborations for Immunity and mentoring students across all three of Juilliard's disciplines (music, dance, drama). Joshua will guide them through their own collaborations and focus on how vulnerability can help us create deeper, more meaningful connections and art. These collaborations will culminate in a performance at the Chelsea Factory on February 22nd, where he will present alongside the students who participate in the program and will have a moderated discussion.
In the fall 2023 semester, Joshua coached a cello choir of Juilliard students for "vox celli", a multimedia concert experience in collaboration with Juilliard's Center for Innovation in the Arts. The performance took place in Peter Jay Sharp Theater, where the cellists performed works by Arvo Pärt, Gity Razaz, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Julius Eastman, joined by students from the vocal program. Through his role as a Creative Associate, Joshua guides the students to a deeper understanding of themselves and the art they make, and confidence in bringing more of their unique humanity and creativity into their careers.
Press
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Cellist and composer Joshua Roman will tell his story with long COVID on musical tour
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Joshua Roman featured on NBC Nightly News
Joshua was featured on NBC Nightly News in a segment about a new study on long-COVID, where he is interviewed by NBC's Anne Thompson.
view moreProgram
Immunity is flexible depending on audience, format, collaborators, and venue. The program will include:
- J.S. Bach Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
- Allison Loggins-Hull Stolen
- Mark Summer Julie-O
- Caroline Shaw in manus tuas
- Krzysztof Penderecki Capriccio per Siegfried Palm
- Joshua Roman Duet (with Tessa Lark)
- George Crumb Sonata for Solo Cello
- Joshua Roman Immunity
- Leonard Cohen (arr. Roman) Hallelujah
The Album
Cellist, composer, and curator Joshua Roman released his debut solo album Immunity on October 4th, on Bright Shiny Things. Immunity is an intimate musical exploration of Roman’s life-altering experience of ongoing Long COVID, as the cellist confronts the impact of the illness and the limitations that nearly ended his career, ultimately finding a renewed understanding of the strength that lies in vulnerability.
Recorded by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer and producer Adam Abeshouse, the twelve-track album features compositions from J.S. Bach, Allison Loggins-Hull, George Crumb, Caroline Shaw, Leonard Cohen, and two of Roman's own compositions. The varied works are woven into a narrative of the most important moments over the last three years, as Roman has navigated the complex challenges of chronic illness. Each piece represents a moment or lesson that has shaped his experience with Long COVID, moving through a period of doubt, struggle, refocus, and renewal, culminating in a profound acceptance of self and a deeper connection to what's most important in life.
Project Advisors
Past Immunity Performances
June 21, 2024
Aspen Ideas: Health
Aspen, Colorado
Shared Immunity through a combined performance and panel discussion with leading long COVID expert Dr. David Putrino, before an audience of some of the most brilliant and passionate medical minds. After the sessions's success, Joshua was invited to join U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and noted global health leader Atul Gawande at the festival's closing session, where he performed Immunity and had a fireside chat with CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen.
June 4, 2024
Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF)
Oslo, Norway
Performed Immunity as a featured artist at the 16th Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) in Norway! An international human rights conference hosted by the Human Rights Foundation, OFF brings together human rights advocates, journalists, artists, world leaders, and more to share their stories and discover ways to unleash human potential across the globe.
February 22, 2024
Building Immunity
Juilliard, Chelsea Factory
As part of the The Arts and Society Series, Arnhold Creative Associate Joshua Roman, Drama Division guest artist Jasminn Johnson, and Dance Division faculty member Paul Singh led Juilliard students and alumni as they presented original multidisciplinary works. The event was a culmination of Joshua's coaching, which used Immunity as a framework, guiding students across all three divisions (Drama, Dance, and Music) in exploring their vulnerability to create unique, cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Donate to Immunity
All donations are fully tax-deductible through Immunity's fiscal sponsor New York Live Arts.
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