BEAM ENSEMBLE is a public art project by Sean Desiree that combines their understanding of timber frame construction and instrument making. It’s an association that is largely unprecedented, though the combination of these crafts make a natural pairing. In brief, the installation is an outdoor orchestra. In a deeper sense, it creates a space intended for the public to establish a connection with the buried history of African American composers. The architecture of the piece will resemble that of an orchestra with four distinct sections, each representing a different instrument originating from the African diaspora. This ensemble will include a kora, percussion, an amadinda, and temple blocks. Constructed with a frame of hemlock timber beams, the large-scale structure will invite engagement with the public. Timber framing is a sustainable form of building. Wood is often locally sourced, it is not chemically processed and less wood is used to build the structure.

The influence of Black musical traditions are indisputable in American culture, except for when it comes to classical music. Discriminatory practices within the genre have denied African Americans access to the resources, venues, and equipment needed to have a successful career. There is a buried history of a few African American composers—such as Nathaniel Dett, William Grant Still, and Florence Price—that deserves a physical space to be memorialized. The intention of BEAM ENSEMBLE is to give orchestral music back to the people by providing a resource for composition.