I’d like to thank Tom Piercy (Clarinet) and Claudine Hickman (Piano) for a beautiful performance of my work as big as alone last Friday and Saturday nights here in New York City. Tom, as usual, played with great expression and lyricism. Thank you Tom for all your hard work. This was the first time that I’ve ever worked with Claudine, but she was well-rehearsed and accompanied Tom’s wonderful playing with her own. I’d love to have them both play this piece again or to work with them on new projects!
My next set of concerts will be on May 20 and May 21, also in New York City. I’ll announce the details of the piece and the venues in an up-coming post.
Please join me and my fellow composers of Random Access Music for a concert of our works performed by Tom Piercy and the Gotham Ensemble.
Gotham will perform 6 world premieres, including my work as big as alone for Clarinet and Piano, at
The Tank
354 West 45th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave.)
New York, NY
Friday, March 4, 2011 @ 7:30 p.m.
Ann Goodman Recital Hall
Kaufman Center
129 West 67th Street
New York, NY 10023
Saturday March 5, 2011 @ 8:00 p.m.
(reception in the Molly Goodman Reception Room–located next to Ann Goodman–to follow)
Tickets may be purchased at the Merkin Concert Hall Box office ($20 Adults, $15 Seniors/Students)
My recent work, Poeticisms: 7 Images from a Poem by Donald Baker, will be performed at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 3110 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens @ 8pm on Friday, February 25, 2011. The work was written especially for ThingNY‘s 2011 call for SPAM 2.0. Please join me for the performance by one of New York City’s most adventurous and fresh avant garde new music ensembles.
I’m proud to announce that Crazy Cat Lady for solo Flute has been recognized by the National Flute Association as a finalist in the 2010 Newly Published Music category!
To purchase a copy of the sheet music, visit my publisher, BRS Music. The next (known) performance of Crazy Cat Lady will be by Adrienne Inglis as part of her Faculty recital at Southwestern University on January 31, 2011
The day that my work is premiered is usually an angst-filled affair. While the worries about the performance itself (did the performers rehearse enough? will they make it through the most difficult section? will the audience be bored?) are often at the top of my anxiety list, the logistical and inter-personal concerns are rarely far behind. I always find myself worried about whether or not the performers will make it to the venue on time; whether the performers enjoy playing the piece; whether the performers will remember their music; or whether the performers will find me and rehearsing my music worth the long hours and energy spent.
It’s not often that all these worries and concerns melt away all at once. But, this past Friday and Saturday (May 21/22), I had the distinct pleasure of hearing the Anubis Quartet perform my work Pundits for Saxophone Quartet. Friday, May 21, started like any other day when my music will be premiered. All of the worries and concerns I listed above–including a few others!–were on my mind all day long. I arrived at the venue early and met with Anubis–Ryan Muncy, Sean Patayanikorn, Allison Balcetis, and David Wegehaupt. They’re young and energetic, and full of passion for their craft. These were all good signs, of course, but I’ve worked with other players with the same characteristics only to be sorely disappointed once the performance began.
But, my experience with Anubis was exactly the opposite. Once they began to play, I found myself forgetting about all those worries. Anubis played brilliantly. But, more importantly, I found myself becoming an audience member–as opposed to the uptight composer who really can’t shake his critical capacities to listen. Usually, I don’t enjoy listening to a performance of my work until I’m listening to the recording of the concert a few days later. Even then, it’s really hard to turn off that critical/evaluating part of myself. But, this time, I found myself simply enjoying the playing. Anubis is so gifted, so filled with teamwork and care for each other, that you can’t help but be caught up in just watching them perform. The energy emanating from the stage is, well… I can only use the cliche because nothing else fits… is palpable. These four players are each amazingly talented in their own rights. They’d each have the excuse of their talent to be a bit over-bearing and up-staging in their performances. But, they’re not. The care that they give to showcase each other is evident at every turn.
By the time Anubis performed my work for the second time on Saturday night (May 22), I was the very model of calm and nonchalance. There was nothing to worry about. They had it. And they had it down pat.
I am, obviously, lavishing Anubis with superlatives and accolades. Please don’t think this is borne out of my newly-minted friendship with the quartet or out of some hope to work with them again. Anubis is one of the finest ensembles I’ve ever worked with. It was a pleasure to have them commit their energy to my music. Anubis Quartet’s future is a bright one, I think. Thanks again Ryan, Sean, Allison, and David.
Please join me and the other members of the Random Access Music Composers’ Collective for our second concert of the season. Our collaborating ensemble is the Anubis Saxophone Quartet. Anubis will perform world premieres by Erin Rogers, David Fetherolf, Jonathan Pieslak, and Andrew McKenna Lee. Also on the concert will be Howling at the Moon by the 2010 RAM call for scores winner, Dana Wilson.
We will present the program twice:
Anubis will be performing my work, Pundits, for SATB saxophone quartet. I’ve already begun communicating with the ensemble, and they’ve begun rehearsing my work. Anubis member Ryan Muncy has been particularly kind and supportive as they prepare my work. I’m really looking forward to meeting the group face-to-face when they arrive in NYC.
My annual post–the definitive version of Oh Danny Boy.
When I was in high school and college, I spent many summers marching in drum and bugle corps. One year, I spent the summer living in Boston and marched with the corps The 27th Lancers. This corps’ standard parade song was O Danny Boy. Whenever we marched in parades, the locals knew that we would play Danny Boy for them. So, up and down the streets of Boston, half-drunk (and often fully-drunk) men would scream like teenage girls at a boy-band concert for us to play Danny Boy. Once the music would commence, they’d often break down in tears and begin sobbing and hugging each other. Ah, Boston in the springtime…
I’ve been a bit remiss in thanking Jessica Mathaes and Colette Valentine for their wonderful performance of my Ayre and Earth for violin and piano (you may find a recording of the work on my works list page). Jessica and Colette performed the work on two separate nights on a concert of works for violin and piano by the members of the Random Access Music composers’ collective.
Jessica and Colette’s performances were stellar, and I’m so proud to have worked with such gifted musicians. So, Thank you Jessica and Colette!
My next concert will be with on May 21 and 22 with the Anubis Saxophone Quartet. Once again, this work will be presented on a concert of music with other Random Access Music composers. I’ll post more info when the concert date gets a bit closer.
Crazy Cat Lady for Solo Flute will soon be published by BRS Music, a publisher in Indianapolis that specializes in woodwind music. I’ll post a link to my works list page as soon as the work is available. In the meantime, visit their site and check out their catalog.
A Dance of Shadows for 'Cello and Piano will be premiered by Kate Dillingham (Vc.) and Amir Khosrowpour (Pno.) on
Saturday, May 18, 2013 @ 8pm
Secret Theatre
44-02 23rd Street
LIC, NY 11101
and
Friday, May 24, 2013 @ 8pm
DiMenna Center
450 W. 37th Street
NYC, NY 10018
Later in 2013, I'll be presenting a new work for the Parthenia Viol Consort. Details soon.
Also in the fall of 2013, I've received a commission from the Astoria Symphony for a short, fanfare-like work to start their 2013-2014 season.
In spring 2014, I'll be writing a work for the Quintet of the Americas.
I’d like to thank Tom Piercy (Clarinet) and Claudine Hickman (Piano) for a beautiful performance of my work as big as alone last Friday and Saturday nights here in New York City. Tom, as usual, played with great expression and lyricism. Thank you Tom for all your hard work. This was the first time that I’ve ever worked with Claudine, but she was well-rehearsed and accompanied Tom’s wonderful playing with her own. I’d love to have them both play this piece again or to work with them on new projects!