Composition Updates/Announcements

“Lyric Dusk” - percussion sextet with fixed electronics

(commissioned and performed by the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Percussion Ensemble)

As mentioned in the last newsletter, PASIC 2023 was sure to be an eventful and unforgettable experience. “Lyric Dusk” has easily turned into one of my favorite compositions that I have written, I had lots of fun turning ordinary woodblocks into cicadas and crickets by manipulating them with “paper clip burritos” to get the buzzy sound effect. I certainly never thought I would put those words together in the same sentence! I hope it brings you some joy and warmth in these cooler months.

Program Notes: One of my greatest appreciations for living in the Midwest is the rich soundscape of a summer dusk. With fireflies shimmering in accompaniment, the living Earth provides a symphony using varying species of cicadas, crickets, and katydids, among other beings. I sense calmness, reflectiveness, and peace when taking the time to be still, be present, and listen deeply to this world.

Learn more about “Lyric Dusk” and purchase the sheet music here

“Reading Seams” - saxophone quartet

(commissioned by the Michigan Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association, performed by Liminal Quartet)

I knew I just had to write for saxophones before finishing my doctorate at the University of Michigan! Thanks so much to Leo Schlaifer, Nick Napier, Noah Stoker, and Matt Dardick of the Liminal Quartet for a fabulous premiere!

Program Notes: Rivers are complex bodies of water. Not only are they home to a myriad of ecosystems and species, but the direction and pacing of water flow varies and supports these ecosystems. One of the most common visual cues of changing water flow is “seams,” where two currents flowing at different rates meet. Seams are an especially great place for fish to relax in the slower current while the faster current carries food sources directly to them. As an avid fisherwoman myself, one of my favorite parts of arriving at a new site is taking the time to notice, or read, the river before sending out my first cast. However, each river presents its own story and is never an open book. There is so much that we may be able to learn about these fragile ecosystems simply by taking the time to be present with them.

Learn more about “Reading Seams” and purchase the sheet music here.

New consortium announcement! Percussion duo + electronics, led by Fisher/Lau Project

I am partnering with the incredible Fisher/Lau Project to create a new, 20-minute work for percussion duo with electronics. Growing up in Colorado where I regularly had visibility of the Milky Way galaxy and its flowing shapes against a clear, night sky, I would always keep an eye out for it (and still do) when I travel to someplace new to consider the perspective changes based on my location in the world. Percussionists are welcome to join the consortium as individuals or pre-existing duos. Learn more and join the consortium at Fisher/Lau Project’s website!

Teaching Opportunities

I don’t think I have stated in this newsletter yet how much I love teaching… but I really DO love teaching! From classrooms to private and small group settings, it brings me so much joy to share my experiences and learn from all parties involved.

Once I make it through my dissertation premiere (details on that below, so keep reading!), I will be adding new pages to my website that provide more information on my current teaching offerings, sample curricula and lesson plans, and opportunities to collaborate with others.

In the meantime, if you and/or your institution(s) are interested in any teaching opportunities, I am always eager to present for workshops, clinics, masterclasses, and seminars, either online or through in-person residencies. I am also taking on new private lesson students via Zoom. Let’s be in touch!

Refugia Festival-Ann Arbor (Nichols Arboretum, April 20-21, 2024)

Have I mentioned that my dissertation is premiering as part of Refugia Festival-Ann Arbor (RF-A2)? Have I even mentioned I have been working on a dissertation?

Here’s the quick summary of my dissertation:

Resonant Gratitude explores humans’ musical relationship to our natural soundscapes, specifically how our music can coexist with, or be in service to, our natural surroundings. This 45-minute composition will bring listeners to a place of attentive listening and reflection, which can then become a catalyst for preserving, protecting, and nurturing one's environment. Resonant Gratitude will be performed in open-air environments and written for a mixed ensemble of voices, woodwinds, percussion, and strings. The performers, as well as all attendees, will be invited to listen and respond in real-time to their surroundings in hopes of building a respectful sonic relationship with the Living Earth. The resulting awareness of the Living Earth’s sonic beauty will become a call to environmental conservation.

Keep an eye on Refugia Festival’s website for updates on the complete lineup of RF-A2!

RF-A2 is also seeking funding sources from grants and corporate sponsorships. We are looking for sponsors who align with Refugia Festival’s mission and core values, and we offer various sponsorship levels (and custom packages) with benefits increasing as the level of sponsorship increases. If your business is interested in partnering with RF-A2, or if you know of a company that may be able to help, please contact us here!

Album Updates: Yes, and… a collection of “percussion plus” solos

Yes, and… is making it to the finish line!

We are in the home stretch for getting this record out to you in May 2024! The last few recordings are taking place in the next three weeks, and then we can finish edits and move along into the mixing and mastering phase. As a new development, I want to offer a huge thank you to Paige Madden for her willingness to record “Tihai” — she stepped in and did a fabulous job with the music. I can’t wait for you all to hear it! And, of course, Gavin Ryan is the ultimate collaborator and all-around superhero for working with me on such a massive project!

Yes, and… will include performances by Malcolm Taylor, Alyssa Resh, David Degge, Britton-René Collins, Paige Madden, Louis Raymond-Kolker, Raychel Taylor, Andy P. Smith, and myself. Engineering by Gavin Ryan, mastering by Melissa Harris Chambers, and releasing on cmntx records in May 2024.

Upcoming Performances

_{University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble: “Lyric Dusk” (Ann Arbor, MI - February 16)}

The University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble will present “Lyric Dusk” as part of their concert on Friday, February 16. Details can be found at the SMTD Events Calendar

_{University of South Florida Percussion Ensemble: “Lyric Dusk” (Tampa, FL - April 7)}

_{Dissertation Premiere: “Resonant Gratitude” at RF-A2 (Ann Arbor, MI - April 21)}

Shout-Out Corner - Mattie Levy

I have made some incredible friends over the years, and I want to feature some of them with each quarterly letter. Cheers, friends, for all that you do!

Mattie Levy and I have only known each other for a short while, but she is an unbelievable creative force and someone to follow! Not only is she an outstanding oboist, but her music is playful, imaginative, and deeply effective. I saw the first act of her musical, Concert Black, recently in a staged workshop performance, and all I could think of was how much I couldn’t wait to hear the second half. Here’s a bit about Concert Black, as told by Mattie:

Concert Black is a musical about three Black classical musicians. Through three different perspectives, conveyed in vignettes, audiences see modern Black classical musicians as they journey through academia, love, and life. Concert Black illustrates the orchestra from a Black musician’s perspective, the conflict between imposter syndrome and success, and Black joy in performance. Following the story of an oboist, violinist and vocalist, Concert Black emphasizes that the Black experience is a shared one but not monolithic. It aims to create a chosen home for Black/Black queer people both in the arts and beyond.

Trust me, when Concert Black is ready for the full production premiere, you are definitely going to want to see it! Congratulations on your music accomplishment, Mattie!

Thanks for reading, and always feel free to reach out and say hello!