My wonderful high school is hosting a film festival this coming weekend.
The award-winning documentary "Beyond Belief" which features my music will be screening along with many, many films created by my fellow alums.
Here is a link to the film festival's webpage.
Happy Fall to all!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Death of the Old Guard
One month ago Joe Maneri passed away. He was one of the lightest, most joyful spirits you might ever come across. His death left me feeling a little lost. I was not so close to Joe. He was never my teacher or mentor, our relationship was much more mundane and so perhaps I take for granted the impact he had on so many. I used to see him when I would go over to his house to hang out with his son Mat. I've known the Maneri family since 1984 when I was 13. As I make my way in music, I always come back to Joe and his music, to Mat and his. Their music is inspiring to me. I know that Joe is bringing his bountiful love on to the other side and the angels are laughing and crying as he plays and I cannot wait until the next time I'll hear Mat play live again. I hope it will be soon.
Now, just as I was beginning to feel the joy and freedom of his music again in my heart I have just read that another great being has passed: Francis Mason.
Francis Mason was a kind, generous and joyful soul. He helped me get my start composing music for dance during my time in New York. He took me to countless shows and rehearsals and introduced me to so many choreographers that I lost count. Two of the choreographers he introduced me to I collaborated with many times, Doug Elkins and Ben Munisteri. Francis used to take me for lunch to the Century Club; one of those old world, quiet, marble, member's only clubs for artists and writers. It was an inspiring place, but not as inspiring as his homes in Manhattan and Rye. Both were quiet and calming, filled with books and plants. I was honored when he asked me to write an article for "Ballet Review Magazine." I learned from him and enjoyed spending time with him. My deepest sympathy goes out to his daughter, his son and especially his grandchildren whom he spoke so warmly and lovingly of every time we were together.
Peace to all who are left behind, striving.
Now, just as I was beginning to feel the joy and freedom of his music again in my heart I have just read that another great being has passed: Francis Mason.
Francis Mason was a kind, generous and joyful soul. He helped me get my start composing music for dance during my time in New York. He took me to countless shows and rehearsals and introduced me to so many choreographers that I lost count. Two of the choreographers he introduced me to I collaborated with many times, Doug Elkins and Ben Munisteri. Francis used to take me for lunch to the Century Club; one of those old world, quiet, marble, member's only clubs for artists and writers. It was an inspiring place, but not as inspiring as his homes in Manhattan and Rye. Both were quiet and calming, filled with books and plants. I was honored when he asked me to write an article for "Ballet Review Magazine." I learned from him and enjoyed spending time with him. My deepest sympathy goes out to his daughter, his son and especially his grandchildren whom he spoke so warmly and lovingly of every time we were together.
Peace to all who are left behind, striving.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Mermaid
I spent my high school years at a small, inspiring and supportive school in Boston called the Commonwealth School. Commonwealth was founded by Charles Merrill in 1958. In celebration of the school's 50th anniversary a gala event was planned. In April of 2008 I was commissioned to compose a choral piece to mark the occasion.
Together with Janetta Stringfellow, the director of development for the school, we decided to ask my friend, poet and journalist Ethan Forman (class of '84) to collaborate with me. My first impulse and thought for the piece was to compose something very joyful and celebratory, like a fanfare.
I had not composed a piece for chorus since my senior year of high school. I was both excited and a little scared that I might not be able to pull it off. To make the process even more difficult, I wanted to compose a joyous and celebratory piece as I said, but Ethan kept writing poetry that was far more reflectively joyful than exuberantly celebratory. I also spent a lot of energy worrying about the complexity of the music, the intellectual rigor of it. The bottom line is, I kept getting in my own way. For me, this is consistently the biggest hurdle in the creative process.
I finally gave in to the reflective nature of Ethan's poetry in August, one month before the finished piece was to be delivered to David Hodgkins, Commonwealth's music director, so rehearsals could begin. Once I let go, I was able to complete the piece quickly. I composed what I thought was a beautiful melody for the soloists to share and supported it with a flowing, tidal accompaniment sung by the chorus. The whole thing worked out pretty well I think. I was actually relieved that the accompaniment did indeed serve as a good support for the melody. It might have obscured the melody since it is a bit busy.
The finished composition was premiered Saturday October 25, 2008 in the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in front of a crowd of 750 alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff of Commonwealth School. What an amazing feeling it was to hear all those voices singing the music I had struggled to create. It was such a beautiful and moving event and I am honored to have played a part in it.
Thank you Charles Merrill for your creation.
Thank you Janetta Stringfellow for asking.
Thank you Ethan Forman for your poetry.
Thank you to all of the Commonwealth School family who make it such an inspiring place to grow.
Happy Birthday!
Commonwealth School Gala, pt. 2-The Mermaid from Commonwealth School on Vimeo.
And here is the text:
Remember the mermaid who swam in from overseasBorn from a city's resistance
She taught you how to wag that tail of yoursAnd wave a sword of victoryShe beat her sword into ploughsharesAnd hung her long locks on hooksDespite her tail she dragged her books upstairsNo Pyrrhic victories here
She was just a girl who learned to walk by taking the subway Back and forth to schoolLearning for her was like the tidesSomething she'd come back to again and again...
Remember the mermaid who swam in from overseasBorn from a city's resistance
Now each fall a new crop of mermaids comeEager for sword and ploughshare lessonsSearching for meaning in strugglePreparing for a life of actionMermaid don't dwell too longOn all those crushes and first kissesDon't wait too longTo celebrate and sing about your memories
She was just a girl who learned to walk by taking the subway Back and forth to schoolLearning for her was like the tidesSomething she'd come back to again and again and again...
Together with Janetta Stringfellow, the director of development for the school, we decided to ask my friend, poet and journalist Ethan Forman (class of '84) to collaborate with me. My first impulse and thought for the piece was to compose something very joyful and celebratory, like a fanfare.
I had not composed a piece for chorus since my senior year of high school. I was both excited and a little scared that I might not be able to pull it off. To make the process even more difficult, I wanted to compose a joyous and celebratory piece as I said, but Ethan kept writing poetry that was far more reflectively joyful than exuberantly celebratory. I also spent a lot of energy worrying about the complexity of the music, the intellectual rigor of it. The bottom line is, I kept getting in my own way. For me, this is consistently the biggest hurdle in the creative process.
I finally gave in to the reflective nature of Ethan's poetry in August, one month before the finished piece was to be delivered to David Hodgkins, Commonwealth's music director, so rehearsals could begin. Once I let go, I was able to complete the piece quickly. I composed what I thought was a beautiful melody for the soloists to share and supported it with a flowing, tidal accompaniment sung by the chorus. The whole thing worked out pretty well I think. I was actually relieved that the accompaniment did indeed serve as a good support for the melody. It might have obscured the melody since it is a bit busy.
The finished composition was premiered Saturday October 25, 2008 in the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in front of a crowd of 750 alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff of Commonwealth School. What an amazing feeling it was to hear all those voices singing the music I had struggled to create. It was such a beautiful and moving event and I am honored to have played a part in it.
Thank you Charles Merrill for your creation.
Thank you Janetta Stringfellow for asking.
Thank you Ethan Forman for your poetry.
Thank you to all of the Commonwealth School family who make it such an inspiring place to grow.
Happy Birthday!
Commonwealth School Gala, pt. 2-The Mermaid from Commonwealth School on Vimeo.
And here is the text:
Remember the mermaid who swam in from overseasBorn from a city's resistance
She taught you how to wag that tail of yoursAnd wave a sword of victoryShe beat her sword into ploughsharesAnd hung her long locks on hooksDespite her tail she dragged her books upstairsNo Pyrrhic victories here
She was just a girl who learned to walk by taking the subway Back and forth to schoolLearning for her was like the tidesSomething she'd come back to again and again...
Remember the mermaid who swam in from overseasBorn from a city's resistance
Now each fall a new crop of mermaids comeEager for sword and ploughshare lessonsSearching for meaning in strugglePreparing for a life of actionMermaid don't dwell too longOn all those crushes and first kissesDon't wait too longTo celebrate and sing about your memories
She was just a girl who learned to walk by taking the subway Back and forth to schoolLearning for her was like the tidesSomething she'd come back to again and again and again...
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Music for Pictures that don't exist
Last week I produced a little piece of music for a new TV series.
Alas, I did not get the job, but I am very pleased with my creation and would like to share.
Please visit my listen page to listen. The piece is called... Sex Therapy!
Alas, I did not get the job, but I am very pleased with my creation and would like to share.
Please visit my listen page to listen. The piece is called... Sex Therapy!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Meditative Movement Mandala Music and Dance Premiere in New York City
My latest piece of music, a composition for the modern dance company Murray Spalding Movement Arts premiered at St. Mark's Church in NYC last Thursday.
The theater was full and very, very hot. It was like a sauna. Despite the heat, the dancers did an amazing job. I am glad that I could stand in the back and watch as I certainly would have passed out from the heat if I had been dancing for 60 minutes without a break.
Bravo dancers! And thank you!
Each time I see these pieces in performance I am reminded just how energizing and calming they are to watch and listen to. I am quite proud of this work. Please listen to part of the newest mandala on my website.
Over the three days that the show was running the seats were all filled and many expressed interest in the music and a few even put there money down and purchased a copy of my CD Movement Mandala Music which contains music to the first 8 of the meditative Movement Mandala dances.
Here are a few photos from my journey.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Movement Mandalas: minimalist modern dance and music performance in New York City
Here is information about an upcoming performance of my meditational music for modern dance. If you are in NYC, please join me for this historic performance of Murray Spalding's revolutionary minimalist choreography in:
MANDALAS: PAST AND PRESENT
Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, NYC
Thursday June 12 through Saturday June 14
8:30 p.m.
Reservations: 212.674.8194 or http://www.danspaceproject.org
of the 2005 Season, Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times said:
"...The variations build so slowly and the patterns sprawl, shift and spread so smoothly that the changes are never startling. The eye is drawn in and mesmerized.
How the women managed to keep to their paths and timing was unfathomable, but no effort was evident in their radiant performing. "
for more information about the company and the work please go to: http://www.murrayspalding.org
MANDALAS: PAST AND PRESENT company:
Shinyun Chou, Lauren Engleman, Ula Gadea, Naomi Luppescu, Kely Narcum, Leslie Roybal and Guest Artist Jeramy Zimmerman
Choreography: Murray Spalding
Assistant Director: Amy Filbin
Managing Director: Leslie Roybal
Composer: Evren Celimli
Costume Design: Susan Soetaert
Light Design: Kathy Kaufman
MANDALAS: PAST AND PRESENT
Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, NYC
Thursday June 12 through Saturday June 14
8:30 p.m.
Reservations: 212.674.8194 or http://www.danspaceproject.org
of the 2005 Season, Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times said:
"...The variations build so slowly and the patterns sprawl, shift and spread so smoothly that the changes are never startling. The eye is drawn in and mesmerized.
How the women managed to keep to their paths and timing was unfathomable, but no effort was evident in their radiant performing. "
for more information about the company and the work please go to: http://www.murrayspalding.org
MANDALAS: PAST AND PRESENT company:
Shinyun Chou, Lauren Engleman, Ula Gadea, Naomi Luppescu, Kely Narcum, Leslie Roybal and Guest Artist Jeramy Zimmerman
Choreography: Murray Spalding
Assistant Director: Amy Filbin
Managing Director: Leslie Roybal
Composer: Evren Celimli
Costume Design: Susan Soetaert
Light Design: Kathy Kaufman
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Indianapolis Grand Jury Prize
The documentary film Beyond Belief brings another award home. This time it's the Grand Jury Prize from the Indianapolis International Film Festival. The excitement continues... and here's the trailer from youtube:
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