Music: Background and Compositions

I began playing oboe when I was in middle school and started to take it pretty seriously in high school, when I began studying with James Ryon at the University of Akron.

I went to The Ohio State University for my undergrad as a recipient of their highest music scholarship and I graduated in 2003 with a triple major in music composition, music theory and oboe performance. While I was there I studied oboe with Robert Sorton and composition with Donald Harris and Thomas Wells.

I came to Indiana University to do my masters and study music composition with Sven-David Sandström. I also played oboe, oboe d’amore and english horn for two years in the IU New Music Ensemble and eventually added a double major in computer music, studying with Jeffrey Hass.

I’m not really doing all that much with music these days because I’ve shifted my attention to the non-profit tech sector, and having been devoting a lot of time and energy to that, but here a few of my compositions:

Between Dog and Wolf

Caleigh Drane, cello

This is a work for multi-track cello recording and solo amplified cello written to accompany a modern dance work choreographed by Margaret Miley. Composed: 2006

These Hands…

Electronic Media

An electronic score for a modern dance work written in collaboration with choreographers Jamie Dowd and Ricardo Alvarez. All of the sounds in the piece (except for the voices) are made from processing the sounds of crystal wine glasses. The original work is for 5.1 surround sound, but this is a stereo mix. Composed: 2005

Seven Haiku on Poetry of Matsuo Basho

Nythia Rivera, soprano
Phyllis Chen, piano

A work in three movements setting seven haiku by Japanese poet Matsuo Basho in translations by American poet Sam Hamill. Composed: 2005

A Strange Snow

Rane Moore, clarinet
Jennifer Ferrian, viola
Meredith Blecha, cello
Jordi Torrent, piano
Rossitza Banova, offstage piano

This work was written following the first anniversary of 9/11. It takes its inspiration from an image looking straight up into a cloud of debris that looked very much like snow. The work is an attempt to capture that moment in time and explore the range of emotions contained within it. A word of caution: the work begins with an extended period of silence and is generally very quiet. Composed: 2004-5

Interstitial Spaces

Electric Piano and Electronic Media

A work for detuned electric piano and electronic media made from heavily processed reverb from the piano. This is probably the most minimal and process oriented piece I’ve ever written, but I listened to it again recently and kind of liked it, so here it is. Composed: 2004