Fin

This course marks the end of my composition courses at memorial. When I started by taken Mus. 3100 over a year ago, I couldn't have imagined the music I would create over the next year or so. This really gives meaning to what Dr. Ross always says, that like anything else, to get good at it you just have to practice. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to present my ideas to my classmates and get feedback in a comfortable environment.

Since last fall, every moment of my spare time has been occupied by composition. I continued to compose music during last Christmas, throughout the summer as well. The more I composed, the more music I listened to to steal ideas from, the more I realized what type of music I want to compose, the better I would become at composing.

While it is very sad that I may never take another composition course at memorial, I am relieved for now to not feel the need to compose any music (for a little while anyways) and I can just relax and maybe play music for a little while (something which always gets tossed to the back burner).

pressure vs. compromise

This final piece for this course has taken it's toll on me. I was very pleased with the work that I had done and the way which the piece was unfolding. it felt very natural and cohesive to me. I loved the way it felt like impressions were being put on the listener and nothing concrete was really played with the clusters. However my satisfaction with this had raised the bar for what would be to follow it.
I've worked very hard on the following section, and went through many ideas that just didn't seem to work. This would normally just be a matter of time, and working through for me. Normally when faced with this problem I would take a couple of days to come back fresh to the piece and see if I had any new ideas. Time in this case was something I didn't have. Therefor I had to just keep working away on it.

Ultimately, to fix this problem I made a slight compromise. I do enjoy what I have composed for the following section, however I know it is not as strong as it could be, however time dictates all. I do plan on coming back to this piece in the near future and making major revisions.

New Adventures

This past semester I am thankful for the progress that I've made in my composition. I feel like I'm developing somewhat of a voice with the music I write. The funny thing is, is that I am able to hear the relationship with my music in all of my compositions thus far, even though they may be totally different works.
I believe the music I write is getting better, however I still feel rather conservative with my writing. I wonder if breaking down those barriers is something that takes time to achieve. That seems to be the way in which it has been working for me.

When I look back to my first project in 3100, my character piece for glock and piano, it is atonal however still very consonant. This is logical I guess, I always strive to create something that is pleasing to listen to.

My attempt at writing a band piece last year in 4100 was my first attempt at handling dissonance. And ever since I've been introducing it a little more. I guess I'm still figuring out the most tasteful way to use dissonance and have it be pleasing. I respect when music can be highly dissonant but very pleasing all at the same time, however I have been unable to do this to any great degree at this point. I guess it's something I'm still striving for.

Lyrics

For this song I decided to use a set of my own lyrics. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, considering I do not consider myself a poet by any means, however my reason for setting a text which I wrote myself is solely that there is something very specific in which I wanted to convey with this piece.

When dr. Staniland presented his piece for voice and cello, there was something very grabbing about it. The poem had such emotion and passion. It led me to think that hey, I haven't felt that passionate about anything in a long time...and as a matter of fact, passion that intense doesn't seem to be apparent in our society today. The more I thought about this the more uncomfortable with the notion I became. My thoughts as to why people in our society lack this passion is because we have been given everything we need. We are able to live very comfortable lives, thus meaning that we dont have to fight for the rights to live comfortably, and when you get everything you want, you appreciate what you have less. This leaves our society content and probably with the feeling like we shouldn't have to work for things we want.

This mindset for me has changed a bit and I believe I have a more realistic, less polar view on society now. However I do feel it was important for me to get myself out of the complacent mindset which has dominated this semester. It is also an uber romantic notion, over the top kind of view on things.

Couldn't hold on

to a dream where I felt

that there was something within me

that cared for all the things

that I'd been given

and I fell from the warmth

to the cold of the certainty

as I'm stripped of the sheets

and tossed into complacency

I am no poet by any means, however I feel very strongly for what I have written, and I believe that using this to express myself will result in something a little more meaningful.