Busy Winter!
Dear friends,
I apologize for the late newsletter this time, but I have a lot to share!
First, you can find two new piano pieces of mine up on my website under the title “Nocturnal Sketches”. Here is the link: https://www.wehawkinscomposer.com/works/nocturnal-sketches1. I’m really proud of writing freely without worrying about style or proving my worth as a composer with these.
Two more are coming soon, and you can actually listen in live to a recital including the full suite of piano music this Thursday, Feb 13th, at 7pm eastern time. Here is the link: https://liveatjacobs.music.indiana.edu/#/. I've attached the poster for the event, which I drew and then adobe illustrated.
The recital is a joint concert with composers Steven Naylor (check his music out on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. it’s really cool!) and Laura Pacheco. Steven wrote a beautiful piano piece that has a choose-your-own-adventure style score based on Chinese scroll paintings and Laura wrote a string quartet that includes songs from Colombian ayahuasca ceremonies. I think you’ll find the whole concert enjoyable, but if you are short on time, my piece will be up first.
Second, I am starting to establish myself as a conductor, and will be conducting three performances - over 30 minutes of music - this winter! It has taken a lot of hard work to improve my skill set with just a book as a guide (I’m taking a proper course this summer), but I got most of the tricks down, and first rehearsals went smoothly this weekend so I can finally relax a bit. I’ve also been doing a lot of singing, and figured out a way to get free voice lessons by serving as a test subject for a pedagogy class.
Third, I am still exploring electronic music, and will have a piece in a performance this coming March. Unlike my fall piece, this one will likely be much more gentle :) If you have any interest in synthesizers and understanding more about how to approach making synths, let me know, I'd love to hone my craft through teaching!
On the blog side of things, composing has been a bit harder for me lately. I think I just have too much extra stuff going on and am afraid to get into the flow only to have to stop prematurely. So for now I am developing some ideas on a very large scale, thinking of making a viola piece and an orchestra piece. Stay tuned for more on those.
A very belated happy new year to you all!
Love,
Will
