Elastic Band @Shenendoah Conservatory

I had a great time last week at Shenandoah Conservatory in beautiful Winchester, Virginia. A *very* full visit with friends conductor Tim Robblee and composer extraordinaire Jonathan Newman and the the faculty and students. I taught composition lessons, gave a masterclass, had rehearsal, and heard my Elastic Band (Octet version) performed at the über-hip Bright Box Theater in downtown Winchester. Thank you Jonathan and Tim!

ModernMedieval returns with All Things Are Set Ablaze! Twice!

The stellar ModernMedieval Trio of Voices performs my badass piece All Things Are Set Ablaze, a setting of the words by that ultimate badass prophetic polymath Hildegarde von Bingen, twice in the coming week: April 7^th on the Electric Earth Concerts Sunday April 7, 2019 (4:00 PM at Congregation Ahavas Achim, Keene, NH), and then on April 13^that the Met Cloisters at 1 pm. My piece is part of their Words of Love and Wisdom program and also includes works by Hildegard, Caroline Shaw, Caleb Burnhans, Daniel Thomas Davis, and Jacqueline Horner-Kwaitek.

Elastic Band, & Joel, come to Shenandoah Conservatory!

Dr. Timothy J. Robblee will conduct the Edge Ensemble performing the octet version of Elastic Band along with works by Thomas Albert, Natalie Draper, Joel Puckett, and, Erik Irgens. During my short residency I’ll be giving a masterclass and teaching some of the talented Shenandoah Conservatory composition students. April 4 @ 8:00 pm,Bright Box Theater, 15 N. Loudoun Street, Winchester, VA 22601 

Elizabeth Racheva sings “How Does The World Fall Into Place?” from Fallings

Elizabeth Racheva sings my “How Does the World Fall Into Place?” from the chamber opera Fallings (Seth Friedman, libretto) on her upcoming program: Journey across continents and languages in a wide-ranging and powerful exploration of migration. A complement to Washington Performing Arts’ Dreamers special production and 2018/19 Latinx in D.C. programming, this afternoon of song and spoken word contemplates notions of home, yearning, displacement, and hope.

Works by Javier Álvarez, Leonard Bernstein, Joel Phillip Friedman, Carlos Guastavino, Ernesto Lecuona, Ned Rorem, Roberto Sierra, Hugo Wolf, and more.

• Elizabeth Racheva – soprano, curator
• Anamer Castrello – mezzo-soprano
• Jose Sacin – baritone
• Lester Green – piano
• Helen Aberger – stage director

This event is one of several activities throughout the winter and spring that are curated by the Mars Urban Arts Initiative

02/10/2019, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, All Souls Church Unitarian 1500 Harvard Street NW – Washington, D.C. Details

My Winter 2019 Newsletter is out!

My Winter 2019 newsletter is out! Chock full of goodies, take a look! You can subscribe as well by clicking HERE.

Elizabeth Racheva to perform “How Does The World Fall Into Place” from Fallings

I’m thrilled that soprano Elizabeth Racheva is programming a short aria “How Does The World Fall Into Place,” from my chamber opera Fallings (with libretto by Seth Friedman) on her upcoming recital Promised Lands? Of Leaving and Longing on February 10, 2019, 2 pm, at  All Souls Church Unitarian. The program is part of the Mars Urban Arts Initiative (MUAI) is a creative platform for Washington Performing Arts and the D.C. community to celebrate and empower local artists through performances, unique educational programs, and interdisciplinary grassroots collaborations that showcase the diversity and vitality of our city. D.C.

All Things Are Set Ablaze blazes at the 2018-2019 NC NewMusic Initiative

The superb ModernMedieval Trio of Voices performed my piece bad ass piece All Things Are Set Ablaze (based upon the writings of that ultimate badass Hildegard von Bingen!) yet again. This time at East Carolina University’s NewMusic Initiative. Next step: April 13, 2019 at the Cloisters as part of MetArtsLive.

“Pure Happenchance” from Elastic Band performed at AU!

It warms my heart to hear the young students at American University play the second movement, “Pure Happenchance,” from my piece Elastic Band on their recent concert. Dr. Noah Getz did a superb job conducting and teaching the movement. And clarinetist Sammy Lesnick was a terrific soloist. Bravo ladies & Gentlemen!

ModernMedieval Trio of Voices – on tour with my piece All Things Are Set Ablaze!

ModernMedieval Trio of Voices will be performing my commissioned Hildegard piece All Things Are Set Ablaze tomorrow, November 11, 2018 on the Damron Concert Artist Series at the at the University of Tampa.

“The program features some of Hildegard of Bingen’s most ecstatic chants interwoven with new works by acclaimed composers Caroline Shaw, Caleb Burhans, Joel Phillip Friedman, Daniel Thomas Davis and Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek. An exciting tour de force for singers, composers and audience alike.”

Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, University of Tampa, 601 W North B St, Tampa, FL 33606. 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Thrilled to be at The Beatles’ THE WHITE ALBUM: An International Symposium!

I’m thrilled to be at The Beatles’ THE WHITE ALBUM: An International Symposium for the next few days. Walt Everett, Allan Kozinn, Mark Lewisohn, Bruce Spizer, and a host of others giving talks, presentations, playing the new Giles Martin remix! A splendid time is guaranteed for all!