During the past few months, I've been busily composing a 3-movement work for string orchestra and percussion on the topic of climate change, titled Elegy for the End of Nature.
I'm currently looking for Project Partners who are interested in co-premiering the piece. There is no commission fee - just the commitment to purchase the sheet music (at a discount) and perform the work. The music is grade 4, and several youth orchestras, colleges, and community orchestras have already signed on to the project.
I drew some inspiration from Vivaldi's concept for The Four Seasons, namely the idea of including a poem to accompany each part of the work. The poems included in Elegy for the End of Nature reflect on a particular aspect of climate change and continue the story told in Vivaldi's poem for Summer from The Four Seasons. If you are interested in reading more about the project and the music, click here.
A portion of all sales from Elegy for the End of Nature will be donated to advance climate technologies and policies. It's one small way that you and I can both do something to address this ever-growing crisis.
The Inspiration Behind "Three Tallis Melodies"
Since I first discovered renaissance choral music in college, I've been entranced with the beauty of this music. It is timeless and just as moving today as it must have been centuries ago. In 2019, I sang in a chamber choir (I'm really a saxophonist, but they still let me sing!) and one of the pieces we sang was the hymn "Third Mode Melody" by Thomas Tallis. The music captivated me. It lingered in my mind for weeks. Shortly thereafter, I had decided to write a piece for my college wind ensemble director, Gary Green, based on a photograph he took of a church in Savannah, Georgia. The mysterious and beautiful photograph and the music from "Third Mode Melody" seemed to fit well, so the piece came together quickly as Entrata.
After studying "Third Mode Melody" and weaving that music into my piece Entrata, I took time to explore other Tallis works. I had heard and sung the Tallis canon before, and also came across his stunning work 'If Ye Love Me." Fast forwarding a bit to spring 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, composers and conductors began to think about creating music that could be adaptable to a wide range of instrumentations and ensemble sizes for fall 2020 (and potentially beyond). At the writing of these notes (July 2020) we still don't know how many musicians will be able to make music together, and how each school will organize classes. As I thought about creating music that could be flexible, I quickly thought of these Tallis works. I believe they are works of remarkable depth and beauty, while at the same time relatively simple. I think there is a lot to learn and enjoy from playing and studying this music, and so I decided these tunes might be helpful in a flexible setting.
As I was arranging this music, I pictured student groups of various sizes and instrumentations - 7 wind players, or 12 strings, or 23 players including strings, winds and percussion - all finding some solace and beauty in the music of Thomas Tallis. I pictured them being filled by the richness of this music, being touched by the depth of this centuries-old art. This thought inspired me to create this music, and I hope that teachers and students find it meaningful and rewarding.
Residency at University of Central Florida: Recap and Pictures
This past week, I had the privilege of visiting the University of Central Florida and working with the UCF Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Chung Park. The orchestra premiered two new pieces of mine - Vermont State Fair and Winter Song - on two concerts.
On Friday, February 20th, the orchestra presented an open rehearsal for an audience of several hundred people at St. Luke’s Church in Oviedo. The first concert was held at St. Luke’s Church on Saturday, February 21st, and on February 22nd, the orchestra traveled to Leesburg, FL to present the program at Hawthorne at Leesburg. Between all these events, about 2,000 people heard this brand new music!
In addition to working with the orchestra, I had a great time meeting composition students at UCF and presenting a short talk featuring career tips for composers.
Here are a few pictures from the events:
- Looking over the score to Vermont State Fair as the UCF Symphony presented an open rehearsal at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- Giving a presentation to student composers titled “Composing as Your Career (or part of your career).” Photo by Chung Park.
- Pre-concert lecture with conductor Chung Park at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- Pre-concert lecture with conductor Chung Park at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- Concert at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. George Weremchuk, soprano saxophone premiered “Winter Song” with the UCF Symphony and conductor Chung Park. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- George Weremchuk, me, and Chung Park after the performance at Hawthorne at Leesburg in Leesburg, FL. Photo by Ashley Danyew.
Thanks so much to Chung Park and the UCF composition faculty for having me, and George Weremchuk and the students of the Symphony Orchestra for performing my music!
2015: A Year in Review
Happy New Year's Eve! As 2015 comes to a close, I'm spending a little time looking back on the past 12 months and remembering everything that happened this year. I don't often share behind-the-scenes posts, but today, I thought it might be fun to share a few of my favorite things from 2015.
Enjoy!
HIGHLIGHTS
2015 was a big year for me, personally and professionally. My wife and I bought our first home in Rochester, NY this summer (a 1920 Colonial) and we're slowly learning how to be homeowners (and how to fix things!).
On a professional note, it was an honor to have my music performed at a number of all-state conferences and honor band festivals in New York, South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Hawaii, and Kentucky. In addition, I was thrilled to have my music performed at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) conference in July and by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Band at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in October.
I attended the Chamber Music America (CMA) conference in NYC in January and helped organize the pre-conference day, "How to Succeed in a Changing Musical World," hosted by Eastman's Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research. We had a great time at the conference and enjoyed exploring Times Square for a few days!
RESIDENCIES
I had the pleasure of working with several great high school and college bands this year (and a church choir, or two!), with residencies, guest rehearsals, and Skype sessions at Nazareth College, Augustana University, Liverpool High School, Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Arkansas Tech Summer Band Festival, and Canandaigua Academy, among others.
PERFORMANCES
As a composer, the best part of my job is when people play (or sing) my music. This year, I counted over 65 performances in 18 states (and I know I'm missing some! Side note: I'd love to include your performance on my events calendar! Just fill out this form).
PUBLICATIONS
As most of you know, I self-publish the majority of my work, but over the past few years, I've started working with a few publishers for some of my choral and chamber music. This year, I had five pieces accepted for publication with Colla Voce, Augsburg Fortress, and Keyboard Percussion Publications:
- Speaking Love - An Hour of Hallowed Peace - Wake, O My Soul - Filled With His Voice - Chorale Variations
COMMISSIONS/NEW PIECES
It was a busy writing year for me, with two new pieces for band (Vermont State Fair and River Town Jubilee), two pieces for orchestra (Winter Song and Vermont State Fair), a new chamber version of "A Country Boy in Winter" (from Alcott Songs), and my second song cycle (New England Folk Songs).
P.S. Thinking about a commission for the 2016-2017 year? Let's talk!
As always, thanks for your continued encouragement and support of my music. Cheers to 2016!
SD
Happy Birthday, Gustav Mahler
Mahler will always be one of my favorite composers. Very few composers have created music with as much beauty, depth, and power as Mahler. I remember sitting in my college dorm room, listening over and over to the Adagietto movement from his 5th Symphony, which is still one of my favorite pieces of music of all time. Another favorite has to be the finale of his Symphony No. 2 – perhaps the most glorious music I know! I love Mahler’s lyricism, his power, and his directness. His music has always inspired me and I know it will always be a huge influence on me and my own compositions. Here is the great Leonard Bernstein conducting the Adagietto from Symphony No. 5:
Here is Bernstein conducting the last few minutes of Symphony No. 2:
Upcoming National Anthem Performances
My arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner, commissioned by the Idaho State Civic Symphony and conductor Chung Park a couple of years ago, will receive two performances this coming weekend: September 14, 2013 Lake Norman Orchestra Mooresville, NC Additional info here
September 14, 2013 Murray State University Symphony Orchestra Murray, KY Additional info here
Thanks to these ensembles for including my arrangement on their concert, and thanks to Chung Park and the Idaho State Civic Symphony for helping to create it!
NWS at the Forefront of Orchestral Innovation
When I lived in Miami for 5 years, one of my favorite destinations was the New World Symphony. I loved watching the youthful and energetic musicians play the heck out of often very interesting and innovative programs. And of course, Michael Tilson Thomas is a superstar and there was a lot to be learned from watching him (and hearing his remarks on the music). And, major guests artists abound at NWS, adding a whole new dimension to the orchestra.
NWS has always been at the forefront of orchestral innovation, and so their relatively new "Pulse" series of late night concert events for younger audiences is not that surprising. They are consistently coming up with interesting and innovative ideas to engage audiences, push boundaries, and offer a really fantastic product for the Miami audiences.
There is no doubt that Miami is very fortunate to have the NWS and all it's leadership in town. Here is an article from the Miami Herald on the "Pulse" program.
Star Spangled Banner Arrangement at FMEA!
My good friend Chung Park called last night to tell me that the grade 9-10 Florida All-State Orchestra is going to start off their concert Saturday with my arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner! Chung is this year's Guest Conductor for the All-State Concert Orchestra (which is sure to be an awesome experience for those kids because Chung is an amazing, inspiring musician). If you are in Tampa Bay on Saturday, here are the details: When: Saturday January 14, 2012 - 2:00pm Where: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Room: Morsani Hall
You can find out more about the Florida All-State Conference here. And, here is the concert page with info on Chung.
If you are interested in the arrangement, contact me directly, as the music isn't available through my website (yet).