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Sheesh. Okay. Where to start about May? Chronological order it is. *takes deep breath* Let’s start at the top. The first few days were business a usual: home life, nothing out of the ordinary. Before I knew it, it was time for a week-and-a-half long trip involving multiple cities and various modes of transportation. On the 9th, I hopped in a car with the best copilot, Iris, and drove to my former home of the Rio Grande Valley for a residency with the Perkins Middle School band in Brownsville, Texas. This band, who is directed by my great friend Omar Blanco, was preparing for the world premiere of my new work for young winds titled Escape Room. Between my time in rehearsal and the concert performance, the Perkins Middle School band were incredibly talented and a joy to work with! The premiere of Escape Room was fantastic and received well by the audience. Thanks to Omar for commissioning me to write this piece and invite me to work with his students! The day after the premiere, Iris and I drove back to Austin for a quick overnight stay at home, repacked my suitcase, and slept two hours before waking up at 2 AM to catch a flight to New York City. I’m tired just thinking about it! This solo trip, which was my first time ever visiting NYC, absolutely changed my life. The primary reason for going was to work with massively awesome Patty Irwin and the Da Capo Choir on the world premiere of my piece, Uncommon Altars, for SATB Chorus and Electronics. My piece, which was part of their “A New Leaf” concert, was one among many world premieres. Our rehearsal together was so deeply special. It was my first time working with a choir since I was in graduate school (around 2018). Collaborating with Patty, the sound person Pat (thanks for incorporating the Logic session!), and the choir, was such a natural experience. The concert was presented to an audience of nearly 300 people in a beautiful cathedral in Brooklyn. While introducing my piece, I shared that in my first trip, NYC had become an altar in my own life: one that I find such grounding energy and reflection. You can listen to the world premiere here. Other highlights of my trip include watching opening night of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego at the Metropolitan Opera with my host, friend, and follow composer Jennifer Jolley, experiencing MoMA with another amazing fellow composer John Mackey, enjoying local haunts with friends, and navigating the subway through three boroughs over the course of four and a half days. Many thanks to my hosts, Jennifer and Gregory, for making my first time in NYC feel like home. I can’t wait to go back. Tap on the photo to read my caption over on IG (and feel free to follow)!
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