Feb 01 2009
Firsts, Firstly
On January 30, the fresh New York City-based choir, Choral Chameleon, publicly announced its first composer-in-residence for the 09-10 season. I am honored and privileged to echo the announcement, that I have been appointed as Choral Chameleon’s first composer-in-residence! Vince Peterson is the artistic director and mastermind behind Choral Chameleon. Be sure to read all about him and the group.
This is my first residency, and should be a great adventure and learning experience. It will be wonderful to work with New York City musicians, and present my work to New York City audiences. Words cannot express my joy, so I guess I’ll have to turn it into music for the group!
Choral Chameleon will premiere Sempiterna in its entirety on Sunday, 1 November 2009 in New York City. As details surrounding this performance and the residency develop, I will surely post information here.
Switching subjects, I just got back from a three day visit to Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was there to interview at the University of Michigan for entrance into their doctoral program in composition. In two interviews, I met the entire composition faculty (Chambers, Daugherty, Kuster, Santos, Schoenfield, and Sheng), then I took a theory placement exam, observed an expert orchestra rehearsal, toured the building, and partook in a composition seminar. Everything about the school is impressive: stellar faculty, quality student musicians, excellent facilities, beautiful campus, endless resources and opportunities, and an overall positive, warm, and inviting attitude and atmosphere. The fact that I was able to participate in the interview process continues to humble me.
My one quibble: the weather. I thought I knew what cold is, but it quickly became apparent that I am a spoiled California guy who knows very little about harsh weather conditions. It snowed lightly while I was there, and dipped into the teens and single digits as night fell. However, the snow was beautiful, and helped distract my attention away from imminent frostbite.
The video below was shot the day of my interview, right outside the building in which the School of Music resides.
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