Double bass player brings ‘innovative’ music to Singleton Center

Mackenzie Meleski, Contributing Writer

The Singleton Center is preparing to come alive with unique chamber music as double bassist Xavier Foley returns to the stage for a concert. Foley is known for pushing the boundaries of chamber music with his solo compositions, according to the VCUarts website.

The concert is a part of VCU Music’s Rennolds annual series and will take place on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. 

The musical acts are chosen by a board composed of VCU Music faculty, members of the Richmond community and other VCU faculty. Among the committee members are VCUarts professors Susanna Klein and James Wiznerowicz. 

“All [members] have an invested interest in bringing world-class chamber music to Richmond,” Wiznerowicz said.

When looking for musical acts to perform at VCU, the committee seeks to have a mix of classical chamber music as well as contemporary artists, such as Foley, according to Klein.

“We look for amazing artists that will inspire our students and also people who are innovative in their field,” Klein said.

The concert will be preceded by a master class session with two double bass students, according to Klein.

“It’s a great opportunity for the students to pick his brain and learn something from him,” Klein said.

Playing the double bass as a solo act is “unusual,” according to Klein. Foley is known for composing his own music and his innovation with the double bass. He was recognized on New York WQXR’s “19 for 19” Artists to Watch list and received the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2018, according to the VCUarts website.

The Singleton Center previously invited Foley to perform as part of a group act in November 2018. The students’ enthusiasm for his work stood out to the committee members, who decided to invite him back as a solo act, according to Klein.

“The students just rushed backstage to talk to him about his work, so we knew we wanted to have him back one day,” Klein said.

Foley first learned to play bass in sixth grade. He initially dreamed of playing percussion, but ultimately switched to playing the double bass, Foley said.  

He said his teachers served as his main inspiration and pushed him to pursue music throughout middle and high school. His first teacher was Doug Sommer, who is the father of VCU Music professor, Andrew Sommer.

“He was my first teacher and he really believed in me, never gave up and pointed me in the right direction,” Foley said.

Foley said that he hopes to inspire others to learn to play the double bass. To Foley, music is a chance to “take a break” from the outside world.

“I want to give people a chance to really feel things they haven’t felt before. I take great pleasure in helping people feel something different, really,” Foley said.

Andrew Sommer teaches the double bass at VCU. He and Foley both grew up in Marietta, Georgia and learned double bass from Doug Sommer. 

“I hope that students and really anyone who comes to the recital or workshop notice how Xavier communicates through his playing,” Andrew Sommer said. “The bass is his voice, and how he expresses himself through the instrument is something that is truly special.”

All students, whether they play instruments or not, are encouraged to attend the event, according to Andrew Sommer. 

”Music is really the universal language,” Andrew Sommer said. “Learning music or even just having a deep interest in music is something that can create strong connections not just with your fellow music students, but music lovers all over the world.”

To purchase tickets for Foley’s concert, visit VCUarts website.