To learn more about Joel, including his in-depth interview with new music writer, Frank J. Oteri, visit the "more about Joel" section. Use the top navigation bar, or just click here>

In the course of exploring Joel’s site you may come to the conclusion that "collaboration" is an important key to understanding Joel’s work. For Joel collaboration can mean a number of things. The most obvious is working on a project with a director, a librettist, or a choreographer. But it also means working with the performers during the compositional and rehearsal process. Listening, asking, suggesting, trying, revising. . . Joel thrives on the feedback and the give-and-take that occurs while collaborating with performers on his works. As you go through Joel’s list of works you will notice pieces that have undergone revision (e.g. What the Living Do, Pas de Deux). These revisions are often the fruits of collaboration. Finally, another kind of collaboration takes place when planning and running a concert series, working with colleagues to strengthen a department’s curriculum, teaching a class, or speaking with an audience before a concert. If you’ve already looked at the "Curator" page you know that these are all areas in which Joel has experience. All of these seemingly disparate activities are really one and the same: they are all collaboration. Here is what a few people have said about their experiences collaborating with Joel: " In the Sondheim/Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along the words-half of a famous song writing team defines "how we collaborate" for a TV Interviewer thusly: "He collabors me and I collabor him." Comedy aside, a good collaborator should have a strong enough heart and a large enough talent to create the powerful give-and-take necessary for seriously great creation. Joel brings much more than a one-of-a-kind musical voice to the table; he brings an intelligence and insight that is rare. His work never "serves" an idea; it lifts it, enhances it, transforms it. I have collaborated with a number of great composers in my time including Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken, Elton John… and I count myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Joel. And double so in that we’ve been able to work together in a variety of formats-- musical theater, revue songs, popular and art songs, and chamber opera. In each and every instance Joel has inspired and challenged me in ways that have encouraged deeper, more powerful, truer writing. And did I mention that he makes a mean cup of coffee and plays a wicked electric bass?" -Seth Friedman, writer (Librettist/lyricist for Fallings, Personals, One Into One, et al) I challenged Joel with impossible requirements when I asked him to write music for the NEA/Cincinnati Playhouse production of Twelfth Night. I said, "Listen to the Goldberg Variations and make what you write fit.” And he did!!! His compositions are brilliant. Astounding! Working with Joel has been a pleasure with deadlines met and requests fulfilled by merely asking. I am sure this will be the beginning of a long relationship. - John Greenleaf, Director " I have collaborated with Joel twice, first on a set of three songs (One into One); and then on the song What the Living Do--both for voice and piano. Both projects were a lovely experience. The lyricism of Joel's music is very appealing to me; he is concerned above all, that the text be understood-- not just the individual words, but that the emotional sense be conveyed through the pitches and rhythms that he chooses.  During the compositional process, we had discussions about what might or might not work for my voice--and I always felt that we arrived at a good solution, talking together. To me, this is a very satisfying experience--and one that allows me to give my best to the music in performance. It is always a pleasure to perform Joel's beautiful music." -Susan Narucki, soprano " It was such a pleasure for me to collaborate recently with composer Joel Friedman on his work Elastic Band. Joel brought wonderful ears, good musical sense, a giving spirit, and a quick humor to the rehearsal process, which made the performers and myself relaxed but focused. I enjoyed being around him and discussing ways we could improve the performance from every angle and found his ideas well thought out and at the same time flexible to the needs of the musicians. As a composer Joel has distinct voice that possesses both craft and emotional connection. The musicians, the audience, and myself--all three responded to his work with affection and a spirit of fun and adventure, which really represents the collaborative process with this talented musician. I enjoyed this at every level and hope that others might have a wonderful experience of their own with Joel." -Paul Hostetter Music Director, the High Mountain Symphony Artistic Director, the Winter Sun Music Festival Conductor and Music Advisor, the Sequitur Ensemble Back to top> ©2005 Joel Phillip Friedman