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Terelj

Terelj is a work of three short pieces inspired by Mongolian culture.  Camel's Tear mimics the horsehead fiddle, which serves a central role in Mongolian culture.  Interestingly enough, it is said that camels shed tears in reaction to the instrument's beautiful sound.  Shagai!, meaning ankle bones, evokes the spirit of children playing a marbles-like game played, instead, with sheep ankle bones.  Ger, named for the portable Mongolian home, represents the calm and powerful energy of a united family.  And, central to their proud nomadic heritage, the piece cherishes the openness of their countryside.

Interested in performing Terelj?

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Performances:

Oh, That Light!

This piece explores density, both instrumentally and rhythmically. The piece was written for the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival and read by the Imani Winds.

Interested in performing Oh, That Light!?

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Performances:

Imagine If...

Imagine If... explores my former clarinet professor Jaren Hinckley's teaching style based on Stanislavski's acting method.  The perfomer has written prompts within the part that must be weaved together into one story by the performer.  But the main difference from Hinckley's method is that the piece calls for actual acting from the performer...

Interested in performing Imagine If...?

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Performances:

Andrew Bjarnson performing my comedy piece Imagine If... Performed 3/14/15 at BYU.

Romance Sonámbulo

A setting of the text of the same name by Federico García Lorca, Romance Sonambulo explores the relationships of words and ideas within the poet's bleak yet beautiful text.  Lorca contrasts the joys of nature to the persecutions of the Gypsies shortly before the Spanish Civil War.  For this and other poems seeking social change, Lorca was later assassinated. 

Interested in performing Romance Sonámbulo?

Contact me for more information.

Performances:

  • March 14, 2014 [Premiere], Group for New Music: Student Edition, Monica Bennett, Zane Harker, Charlotte Heiner, Gatelyn Gentry, TJ Smith, Hunter Montgomery, Hannah Cope, Anna Dunford. 
  • March 14, 2015, To Another Place and Time, Monica Bennett, Zane Harker, Charlotte Heiner, Leslie Sampson, Brad Sampson, Aaron Clark, Lizzie Tutt, Alexandra Brown.
  • April 9th, 2016, Denney, Findley, Taylor, Ryan Gardner, Elena Blyskal, Andrew Eshbach, Kevin Gregory, Josh Schwartz, Dana Kaufman, Javier Chacon, Ryan Hecker.