Entomological Recollections is a setting of selections from Jean-Henri Fabre’s writings Souvenirs Entomologiques as translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos. The first two movements were premiered on May 1st, 2026 by the Wooster Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, and more are to come!
Ánimo
Written for Galán Trio’s Kinesis project, Ánimo betrays the theme of kinetic energy with a focus on potential energy. The word ánimo became a favorite word of mine while in Nicaragua from 2010 to 2012. The Spanish word might be defined as spiritual energy or enthusiasm manifest in courage, faith, and hope. After the loss of three grandparents over the past few years, my ánimo has found new meaning as I have focused on building family relationships. Woven into the piece is a fragment from a religious children’s song “Families Can Be Together Forever” that teaches that family bonds will continue after death. The music hobbles through nostalgia, excitement, warmth, yearning, and questioning before mustering final courage that quickly evaporates into the same promising sparkle of hope that begins the piece. The work is dedicated to my grandparents who have passed on, who instilled ánimo into me with their compassion and care.
Premiered by Galán Trio as part of their Midwest Kinesis Tour in November 2022:
November 1, Mairs Concert Hall, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN.
November 3, Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
November 4, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music, Luther College, Decorah, IA.
November 5, Nola Starling Recital Hall, Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI.
November 7, Duesenberg Recital Hall, Valparaiso State University, Valparaiso, IN.
November 8, Boyce Recital Hall, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN.
November 9, Fine Arts Recital Hall, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL.
Idiopathic
In working with choreographer Sophie Henning, we explored the idea of an existing but uncurable and unidentified medical trauma that induces pain and paralysis. The music drifts from this paralysis to feelings of hope that comfort but ultimately do not solve the severe and debilitating medical condition.
PERFORMANCES
May 14, 2019 by the UMKC Dance Department, Petal by Petal , The Mulberry Room, KCMO.
I see men as trees, walking
In a biblical account (Mark 8:22-25), a blind man is healed by Christ in two stages. After his first blessing, Jesus asks the blind man if he sees anything. The blind person responds: I see men as trees, walking. Then (and only then), Christ finishes healing the blind man to full sight.
This hazy space between petition and the actualization of hoped miracles creates a special tension and yearning I invoke through the music. My work calls attention to a sparse temporal space and atmosphere from which the music drifts in and out of colorful clarity through several textural and contrapuntal soundscapes. Underlying these textures is a strumming refrain, first introduced by the viola. Also notable are open-string harmonies and quick arpeggiating passages that develop and ultimately fuse together in the work.
This work was written for Quarteto L’Arianna with double bassist Pedro Gadelha at the São Paulo Contemporary Composers Festival.
Performances
September 24th, 2018 by the Quarteto L’Arianna with double bassist Pedro Gadelha at the Catedral de Sé, São Paulo, Brazil.
strengthen the body/enliven the soul
strengthen the body/enliven the soul
Commissioned by the Atlantic Music Festival, strengthen the body/enliven the soul refers to the scripture:
"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul." -Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-19.
Interested in performing strengthen the body/enliven the soul?
Perusal Score
strengthen the body/enliven the soul-Score and Parts
Performances:
- March 24th and 25th, 2017 [Professional World Premiere], Cleveland Symphony Orchestra Concert Prelude, Members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.
- July 16th, 2016 [Premiere], Atlantic Music Festival, AMF Contemporary Ensemble.
- December 3rd, 2016, Music, Moods, and Moves Becca Tutinick, Leslie Miller, Paige Towsey, Kyle Stachnik, and Jose Veliz, feat. University of Miami Dance Studio.
- April 28th, 2017, Refreshing the Feeling, Becca Tutinick, Leslie Miller, Paige Towsey, William Locke, and Jose Veliz.
- September 9th, 2017, West Fork New Music Festival, Great Noise Ensemble.
Lakewind
Four Chicago Perspectives based on scenic views of the Windy City. Artist Tony Parra made awesome visual artwork based on the scenic photography providing another point of view to each movement.
Interested in performing Lakewind?
Contact me for more information.
Performances:
- March 14, 2015 [Premiere], To Another Place and Time, Rachel Miles, Brian Woodbury, Joseph Woodward, Alexandra Brown.
Performed by Rachel Miles (flute), Brian Woodbury (trombone), Joseph Woodward (cello), and Alexandra Brown (marimba).
Fisherman Ascends
Fisherman Ascends refers to the transfiguration of Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration. "Remit" expresses the cleansing and purging process from sins found in baptism. "Sanctify" expresses the change of heart and character through the receiving of the Gift of the Holy Ghost over a lifetime.
Interested in performing Fisherman Ascends?
Contact me for more information.
Read by the New York Piano Trio, November 22, 2014.
RF ISOLATION: Faraday Cage
for string quartet
A Faraday Cage allows a safe area from currents or transmissions. For example, when lightning strikes an automobile, the driver will not be shocked, being in the vehicle. The driver is surrounded by the charge—being inside the conductive material; however, the car acts as a Faraday Cage and isolates its interior from outside forces. A musical example would be a safe haven from radio or telecommunication, an isolation from outside noises.
The piece is symbolic of the battle between the outside influences and voices that the world has to offer and the subtle, yet sublime inner peace that comes from following the values that resonate in the heart. Each part yearns for inner peace while surrounded by the dissonance of its opposing parts. Allusions to early chant music echo the search for peace that comes from hearkening to the ancient and eternal truths revealed by God. The unison ending refers to the ultimate finding of tranquility through God.
Interested in performing RF ISOLATION: Faraday Cage?
Contact me for more information.
Performances:
- December 18, 2013 [Premiere], BYU Composition Seminar Showcase, Jenny Jones, Kristi Farley, Aaron Clark, Robert Willes.
- January 15th, 2016, Stone in Hand: A Concert of Works by Dylan Findley, Sara Arevalo, Paige Towsy, Lauren Miller, Laura Jacyna.