Kathryn Bostic: Music Is Conversation | The Art of Film Scoring (Part 1)

🎙️ Episode 15Kathryn Bostic: Music Is Conversation | The Art of Film Scoring (Part 1)What does music say beyond words?Kathryn Bostic is an acclaimed composer, performer, and musical storyteller whose work includes Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir, Clemency, and many other award-winning projects. In Part 1 of Rita Coburn's conversation with Kathryn, we explore the creative process behind film scoring and the power of music to deepen storytelling. Kathryn shares the philosophy that guides her work: "Music is conversation."Together, Rita and Kathryn discuss how composers translate emotion into sound, create musical themes that shape a narrative, and bring historical figures to life through music. Kathryn also reflects on her work scoring W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause, revealing how she approached the challenge of capturing the intellectual, cultural, and emotional complexity of one of America's most influential thinkers.From spirituals and classical traditions to jazz and the Harlem Renaissance, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how music helps tell the stories that history leaves behind.🔍 What You'll Hear in This EpisodeWhy Kathryn Bostic believes that "music is conversation"How composers create themes that become the emotional spine of a filmKathryn's approach to scoring documentaries and historical subjectsThe creative collaboration between composer and directorBehind the music of W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a CauseHow Du Bois's life journey influenced the film's musical languageThe role of spirituals, classical music, and jazz in shaping Black historyHow music can reveal character, place, and emotionThe challenges of scoring real historical figuresWhy sound is essential to storytelling🧠 Key ThemesFilm scoringDocumentary filmmakingMusic and storytellingKathryn BosticW.E.B. Du BoisBlack historyAmerican MastersCreative collaborationBlack cultural traditionsThe Harlem RenaissanceDocumentary music compositionHistorical storytelling💬 A Defining Idea from This Episode"Music is conversation."For Kathryn Bostic, music is more than accompaniment. It is a living dialogue with the audience, the characters, and the story itself. Through melody, rhythm, and theme, music helps us hear what history feels like.🎵 Join the ConversationAfter listening to this episode and watching W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause, we'd love to hear from you.How did Kathryn Bostic's music shape your experience of the film? Were there moments when the score helped you better understand Du Bois, the emotions of a scene, or the history being told?Share your thoughts in the comments on YouTube or on social media using #OurTHS.Tell us:What scene's music stayed with you the longest?How does music help you connect with history?Do you agree that "music is conversation"?What role does music play in documentary storytelling?Your insights help us continue the conversation about history, culture, and the power of storytelling.📣 Resources / LinksWatch W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause on American Masters https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/Watch the W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQMLearn more about Kathryn Bostic https://www.kathrynbostic.comWatch Our Truth, Our History, Our Story on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240Listen to the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodesWatch the podcast https://youtu.be/HqdadnIQKMM Transcript available here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323Stay connected with Rita Coburn https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmediaUpcoming events and screenings https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-eventsDownload event photos https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photosSocial Media Toolkit https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit🎬 About the SeriesOur Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling today. Through conversations with artists, scholars, filmmakers, historians, and changemakers, the series uncovers the stories that inspire, challenge, and connect us.Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn, Our THS creates space for meaningful conversations about history, culture, creativity, and the stories that define who we are. Each episode invites listeners to engage with the people preserving our collective memory and shaping our future.👥 Production CreditsHost: Rita CoburnExecutive Producer: Andrew T. CarrProducers: Christine Coburn Whack, H. Lee WhackProduced by RCW Media Productions, Inc.© 2026 RCW Media Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.