Abstract

This year the Carthage Theater Department teamed up with the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin Ireland to create the play "A Clamour of Rooks". I was asked to compose, record, and mix the music for the show. This included pre-show music (35 minutes total) and any music that could be used as a back drop for scenes. I sat in on rehearsals and read the script for inspiration.  Phillip Glass (an american contemporary classical composer)  was a big inspiration for the music as well with his rushing and lilting style. I also collaborated with Neil Scharnick, the director, to create music for specific scenes in the performance. An example of this is in the final scene, where I was asked to find a way to make the ending not sad, but up lifting since the show itself is so dark. I then took a progression that I had been working on and modulated it from minor to major. Birds where a large part of the play and I used different instrumentation to portray the variety of birds. I also created a musical theme  that presented itself many times throughout the show. The piece itself was titled "The Rook" and it was a short piece that they could use during the show.  This project was very different then what I am used to composing for because the entire play was an organic process that started months before I was asked to join. I took the challenge and sat in rehearsals and let music come as I was asked for it, making this an exciting but difficult set of compositions. It was a wonderful experience.