Phased Meditations

Program Notes

Phased Meditations was inspired by the unique struggles of performing music through an online medium, a problem encounter by artists throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Performers play their parts in seeming isolation like a meditation but knowing that they are part of a larger collective sound- world shared by others. The piece ends when each artist feels they have reached musical catharsis.

Performance Notes

This work is for open instrumentation. Any number of instruments can play. Vocalists can sing by choosing one open vowel (“ah” suggested) throughout the work.

Each performer should start on a different Part, determined before performance. If there are more than seven performers, doubling is allowed but Parts should be distributed as evenly as possible.

All musicians play the first note of their first Part simultaneously. However, there should not be coordination between parts after that. The idea being that the texture will fall apart over each consequent notes. After reaching the end of the system, play a different line. Or the same line. Avoid playing parts sequentially (Part 1 then 2 then 3, etc.). Take rests any number of rests, in time, between starting and ending any Part.

Performers may choose to change octaves when repeating, but not in the middle of a phrase. The contour of each phrase should stay the same regardless of octave.

Every performer must choose their own tempo. Do not be too quick! Keep a consistent beat.

Enjoy the entanglement between timbres and instruments. You can stop when you feel good about what you have played.

The piece ends when there is at least 30 seconds of silence after the last person finishes.

Octaves have been changed in several scores to accommodate ranges for as many instruments as possible. Depending on instrumentation, there may be voice crossing (e.g. Part 2 higher than Part 1). Performers are encouraged to experiment with different part assignments for preferred sonorities.

Accidental only apply to the note immediately to their right.

Duration is variable. Performers may decide to predetermine the duration of the work and, with the aid a conductor who indicates when performers should stop after playing their last phrase, end at a predesignated time.

join us live in a collaborative performance

of Phased Meditations by singing along, or triggering each of the sound clips below with your mobile device.