Composition Conversations

Ep. 5 - James Noyes: Unraveling Debussy, Poe, and Elise Hall

All great artists take inspiration from their predecessors. Whether that is in visual arts, literature, or music, by studying the techniques of great figures of the past, one can gain knowledge that may be essential to their own work. Today's guest, Dr. James Noyes, is no exception.  As a lifelong researcher of Claude Debussy's works as well as a composer, Dr. Noyes has gained a comprehensive picture of the French composer's techniques and philosophy. He's been able to apply what he's learned to amplify his own compositions. Today, we dive into Dr. Noyes' fascinating research, especially his work on Debussy's Rhapsodie for saxophone and orchestra and saxophonist Elise Hall. We then discover Debussy's shocking connection to famous writer Edgar Allan Poe, and how their philosophies played a role in two of Dr. Noyes' newest songs, "Embracing Love" and "This Christmastime". Finally, we listen to these two songs in their entirety, armed with the knowledge of Poe and Debussy!

Ep. 4 - Elizabeth Gartman: Embracing Absurdism

Let's say you're writing a story and need to pick a main character. What would you choose? Probably a human; if not, maybe an animal or even an alien species, if you're into sci-fi. In one of her pieces, Elizabeth Gartman chooses microplastics.  As an award-winning and widely-commissioned composer, Gartman is unafraid to bring innovative, strange ideas to her sound world. In relinquishing many traditional musical norms and unbinding herself to what is seen as "natural," Gartman defies cliches and creates music that is absurdly beautiful and beautifully absurd.  In this episode, follow me as we dive into the refreshing music of Elizabeth Gartman!

Ep. 3 - Alex Tedrow: U.S. Army Band and Community Engagement

Imagine the president of a foreign country has just arrived in the United States and is stepping off the plane. Immediately, they are welcomed by a lush, heroic rendition of their national anthem played by professional musicians who play for the military. The person in charge of writing this music is today's guest, Alex Tedrow.  As the composer for the official U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," Alex Tedrow has composed pieces that are performed for the highest-level government and military officials at the White House, Capitol Building, and other landmarks across the nation.  Apart from his work at the Army Band, yet still related, is his mission to inspire youth and foster community engagement through his compositions. He writes extensively to help young musicians realize their potential as a music educator.  Join us in this exciting episode as we learn about this outstanding composer's two worlds, and how they work together to build his identity as a composer!

Ep. 2 - Wesley Thompson: Blurring the Boundaries Between Genres

Think about your favorite song. What type of music is it? Pop? Rock? Maybe rap? Regardless of your answer to this question, most songs and pieces can easily be categorized into these types of music called "genres". Even within classical music, it is usually easy to distinguish between works from different eras.  Innovative composer Wesley Thompson challenges this hard-set categorization of music. As a connoisseur of many different music genres - whether it's rock, video game music, heavy metal, or Bach - Wesley incorporates influences from a diverse population of songs and pieces that gives his music a unique, irresistible flavor. Join us as we discuss the intricacies of how this amazing composer came to be!

Ep. 1 - Eli Greenhoe: A Microtonal Master

For centuries, composers and musicians have adhered to the limitations of equal temperament, a tuning system that defines the 12 tones we’re most familiar with. Almost every melody and song you've heard likely uses this system. But in reality, an infinite number of pitches exist between any two notes—pitches we rarely think to use. These microtones surround us constantly, present in everything we hear, each sound carrying its own distinct pitch. So why restrict ourselves to just 12 tones?  Eli Greenhoe is one of the few contemporary composers breaking free from this mold and embracing the richness of microtones. His music draws us closer to the natural world, revealing the beauty in everyday sounds. In this fascinating conversation, we explore Eli's introduction to composition and take a deep dive into one of his most representative works. Episode 1 promises to broaden your musical horizons through the innovative creations of Eli Greenhoe!