New Media

Bell Weaving

Recently, I was fortunate enough to have a piece of mine for fixed media included in an “Etno-Electro” concert here in Warsaw.

The concert focused on pieces that integrate electronics with ethnic and/or folk music. Ethnic/folk music ranged from traditional Polish singing to gamelan ensemble. My piece combined a field recording I did of church bells and birds in Berlin with recordings from Sharon Williams’ “Public Drum Project”.

More information is located here (unfortunately only in Polish) if you are interested in learning more about the concept.

 

Some Choral Updates

It’s been awhile, and I’m so excited to share some updates regarding a few choral pieces of mine. The first is a new commission! Anna O’Connell, the Anabel Taylor Chapel Choir‘s Artistic Director, has asked me to write an Advent piece for SATB choir. I’ve decided to set the “Hodie Christus Natus Est” text – well-used, and for good reason! This piece will premiere in December, alongside pieces by Poulenc and Nielsen, so I’m in great company.

The other thing I’d like to share is a recent recording from RSVP Choir‘s 2017 concert series. They did an incredible and expressive job with “Wildfire” from 2012 (my first choral piece!), and I was thrilled to be included in a program for such a great cause. I’ve updated the recording on my SoundCloud, and I invite you to take a listen here:

I’ll have some more news to share soon, so stay tuned~

“I Take These Pills” Premiere

I’ve just posted a new video on my YouTube channel – the premiere of “I Take These Pills”, commissioned and performed by the Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra. This piece is part of the 2016 leg of their nonet commissioning project: “9×9: New Music”.

From the program notes: “Whenever I get to a certain point in building a familiar to close relationship with someone, the topic inevitably surfaces. ‘Well, I have chronic anxiety and depression, so I take these pills to regulate my day-to-day existence in the world.” After Tom Cunningham, (UPCO director and the piece’s commissioner) told me that the commission theme centered around one’s personal take on the concept of “adequacy”, I immediately thought of my daily interaction with depression and anxiety, and by proxy, the medication that is supposed to help.

“I take these pills” is such a direct statement, and one which I say with intent but without drama, without stigma. I find it quite satisfying to express such a significant, yet ordinary part of my life through a piece of my own music.”