Song Cycle Consortium Launched!

Posted on November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by Jessica

Librettist Laurana Wheeler Roderer and I are organizing a consortium for a new song cycle! Letters from the Anthropocene will respond to climate change from the perspective of an expectant parent anxious about the world their child will inherit. As a relatively new parent myself, this scenario and Laurana’s texts strongly resonate with me, and I image there are a number of you reading this who will also identify with them.

If so, please help us bring this project to life! Details about the cycle including a description, sample texts, ways to participate in the consortium, and more are included on the consortium page.

The consortium will close on Dec. 15. We hope you will join us in this collaboration!

Connecticut Children’s Chorus Commission

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Jessica

CCC-6 I’m very excited to announce that the Connecticut Children’s Chorus has commissioned me to write a new work for their Prelude, Canticum, and Concert Choirs. The work is based a text by Walt Whitman about equality, and the project involves an educational outreach component.

In January, I met with students from the choirs to explore their thoughts and experiences relating to equality. I led short discussions with each choir about the text, its message, and its relevance today. In addition to highlighting the students’ voices through the music, I am also incorporating some of their words and ideas about equality into composition alongside the Whitman text. It’s been really wonderful getting to know the students and working on the music/words!

The new work will be premiered on the Connecticut Children Chorus concert on May 22. More details coming soon!

Countdown to “Iseult Speaks” Premiere!

Posted on February 11, 2016February 11, 2016 by Jessica

Recital_Feb2016-2 In preparation for the premiere of Iseult Speaks on 2/20 by Charity Clark and the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra, I’ll be posting a new recording from the piano reduction each day. Nine of the thirteen movements were previewed by Charity with pianist Blake Hansen at my recital on 2/5/16, and the recordings will be posted to the playlist below. Follow me on social media to see announcements when new tracks are added, or listen to the full set of preview recordings here after Friday 2/19. Then, if you’re near Hartford, come check out the premiere of the chamber orchestra version on 2/20!

Riot Ensemble Commission

Posted on June 1, 2015June 24, 2015 by Jessica

2015-16 is shaping up to include a number of collaborations and premieres that I am extremely excited to start working on. The first of these is a commission from the UK-based Riot Ensemble. As one of three winners from their recent Call for Scores, I will be composing a new work for soprano, flute, harpsichord, and two percussionists to be premiered in London on Nov. 17, 2015 (click here to read the official announcement).

Though a number of my recent works have featured flute and/or percussion, it’s been a couple years since I’ve written a vocal piece. I’m looking forward to composing for the voice and working with text again. (Spoiler alert: one of my other commissions for next season also involves voice – check back soon for details!) I’m also excited about the prospect of writing for harpsichord, which I’ve never before had a chance to include in any of my works. If you’ve got any favorite works involving harpsichord, I’d love to check them out, so please share in the comments section!

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