Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon is a composer, arranger, singer-songwriter, and vocalist in Los Angeles, CA. She is an active choral composer, including being the composer-in-residence for Nova Vocal Ensemble. She has been commissioned to write and arrange pieces for Choral Arts Initiative, Loyola Marymount University Concert Choir, Nova Vocal Ensemble, The Los Angeles Belles, The South Bay Chamber Singers, Ramona Convent Secondary School Chamber Choir, Graham Middle School Vocal Ensemble, and more. Her music has been described as melodic and accessible, yet with surprising harmonic twists. She is influenced by the musical styles of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Steve Reich. She loves setting poetry to music and bringing out the meaning of the text through music. She has won multiple awards, including the first annual Jim MacMillan Prize in Composition, 2nd place in the Corinfesta International Competition for Choral Composition, and multiple ASCAP Plus Awards. In addition to composing classical and choral music, she is also an active media composer and singer-songwriter. She composes for films and web broadcasts. Her score for The Turner Exhibit (2018) won best film score by The Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards. Her song “One Door Opens” was named a finalist in the SongDoor International Songwriting competition. She is an active educator and teaches Bachelor-level Music Theory, Songwriting, and Music Education classes. She received her M.M. in Composition from California State University, Long Beach and her B.A. in Composition from Loyola Marymount University. amygordonmusic.com All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: When We're Gone 10,000 Years C3LA: Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles In Times of Hibernation SACRA/PROFANA Light Up Graham Middle School Choir

Amy Gordon is a composer, arranger, singer-songwriter, and vocalist in Los Angeles, CA. She is an active choral composer, including being the composer-in-residence for Nova Vocal Ensemble. She has been commissioned to write and arrange pieces for Choral Arts Initiative, Loyola Marymount University Concert Choir, Nova Vocal Ensemble, The Los Angeles Belles, The South Bay Chamber Singers, Ramona Convent Secondary School Chamber Choir, Graham Middle School Vocal Ensemble, and more. Her music has been described as melodic and accessible, yet with surprising harmonic twists. She is influenced by the musical styles of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Steve Reich. She loves setting poetry to music and bringing out the meaning of the text through music. She has won multiple awards, including the first annual Jim MacMillan Prize in Composition, 2nd place in the Corinfesta International Competition for Choral Composition, and multiple ASCAP Plus Awards. In addition to composing classical and choral music, she is also an active media composer and singer-songwriter. She composes for films and web broadcasts. Her score for The Turner Exhibit (2018) won best film score by The Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards. Her song “One Door Opens” was named a finalist in the SongDoor International Songwriting competition. She is an active educator and teaches Bachelor-level Music Theory, Songwriting, and Music Education classes. She received her M.M. in Composition from California State University, Long Beach and her B.A. in Composition from Loyola Marymount University. <a href="http://www.amygordonmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">amygordonmusic.com</a> All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: When We're Gone 10,000 Years C3LA: Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles In Times of Hibernation SACRA/PROFANA Light Up Graham Middle School Choir

Episode 14: Amy Gordon

Jocelyn Hagen

Jocelyn Hagen joins us for episode 13 of the Composer Happy Hour. Jocelyn is a prolific composer with many fabulous works, but what I think I admire most about her are her passion and enthusiasm for poetry, and her strong interest in collaboration. Her collaborations with hip-hop artist Dessa and electronic musician Spearfisher bring unexpected voices to choral music, and she performs together with her husband (choral composer Tim Takach) as Nation, an a cappella duo that often performs "pop" music. Her love of poetry is readily apparent just by seeing the poets she has illuminated in her choral music, but hearing her talk about the poems (or even read them aloud) reveals sincere admiration for the work of these other artists. On this episode, we discuss poetry, pop music, and whether or not Frasier is suitable binging material. Jocelyn Hagen composes music that has been described as “simply magical” (Fanfare Magazine) and “dramatic and deeply moving” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis/St. Paul). She is a pioneer in the field of composition, pushing the expectations of musicians and audiences with large-scale multimedia works, electro-acoustic music, dance, opera, and publishing. Her first forays into composition were via songwriting, still very evident in her work. The majority of her compositions are for the voice: solo, chamber and choral. Her melodic music is rhythmically driven and texturally complex, rich in color and deeply heartfelt. In 2019 and 2020, choirs and orchestras across the country premiered her multimedia symphony The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci that includes video projections created by a team of visual artists, highlighting da Vinci’s spectacular drawings, inventions, and texts. Hagen describes her process of composing for choir, orchestra and film simultaneously in a Tedx Talk given at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, now available on YouTube. Her dance opera collaboration with choreographer Penelope Freeh,Test Pilot, received the 2017 American Prize in the musical theater/opera division as well as a Sage Award for “Outstanding Design.” The panel declared the work “a tour de force of originality.” In 2013 Hagen released an EP entitled MASHUP, in which she performs Debussy’s “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” while singing Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team.” She is also one half of the band Nation, an a cappella duo with composer/performer Timothy C. Takach, and together they perform and serve as clinicians for choirs from all over the world. Hagen’s commissions include Conspirare, the Minnesota Opera, the Minnesota Orchestra, the International Federation of Choral Music, the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota, Georgia, Connecticut and Texas, the North Dakota Music Teachers Association, Cantus, the Boston Brass, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and the St. Olaf Band, among many others. Her work is independently published through JH Music, as well as through Graphite Publishing, G. Schirmer, ECS Publishing, Fred Bock Music Publishing, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and Boosey and Hawkes. www.jocelynhagen.com All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "I Started Out Singing" University of Toledo Rocket Choristers "Look Out Above" Macalester College "Load Poems Like Guns" Conspirare

Jocelyn Hagen joins us for episode 13 of the Composer Happy Hour. Jocelyn is a prolific composer with many fabulous works, but what I think I admire most about her are her passion and enthusiasm for poetry, and her strong interest in collaboration. Her collaborations with hip-hop artist Dessa and electronic musician Spearfisher bring unexpected voices to choral music, and she performs together with her husband (choral composer Tim Takach) as Nation, an a cappella duo that often performs "pop" music. Her love of poetry is readily apparent just by seeing the poets she has illuminated in her choral music, but hearing her talk about the poems (or even read them aloud) reveals sincere admiration for the work of these other artists. On this episode, we discuss poetry, pop music, and whether or not Frasier is suitable binging material. Jocelyn Hagen composes music that has been described as “simply magical” (Fanfare Magazine) and “dramatic and deeply moving” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis/St. Paul). She is a pioneer in the field of composition, pushing the expectations of musicians and audiences with large-scale multimedia works, electro-acoustic music, dance, opera, and publishing. Her first forays into composition were via songwriting, still very evident in her work. The majority of her compositions are for the voice: solo, chamber and choral. Her melodic music is rhythmically driven and texturally complex, rich in color and deeply heartfelt. In 2019 and 2020, choirs and orchestras across the country premiered her multimedia symphony The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci that includes video projections created by a team of visual artists, highlighting da Vinci’s spectacular drawings, inventions, and texts. Hagen describes her process of composing for choir, orchestra and film simultaneously in a Tedx Talk given at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, now available on YouTube. Her dance opera collaboration with choreographer Penelope Freeh,Test Pilot, received the 2017 American Prize in the musical theater/opera division as well as a Sage Award for “Outstanding Design.” The panel declared the work “a tour de force of originality.” In 2013 Hagen released an EP entitled MASHUP, in which she performs Debussy’s “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” while singing Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team.” She is also one half of the band Nation, an a cappella duo with composer/performer Timothy C. Takach, and together they perform and serve as clinicians for choirs from all over the world. Hagen’s commissions include Conspirare, the Minnesota Opera, the Minnesota Orchestra, the International Federation of Choral Music, the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota, Georgia, Connecticut and Texas, the North Dakota Music Teachers Association, Cantus, the Boston Brass, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and the St. Olaf Band, among many others. Her work is independently published through JH Music, as well as through Graphite Publishing, G. Schirmer, ECS Publishing, Fred Bock Music Publishing, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and Boosey and Hawkes. <a href="http://www.jocelynhagen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.jocelynhagen.com</a> All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "I Started Out Singing" University of Toledo Rocket Choristers "Look Out Above" Macalester College "Load Poems Like Guns" Conspirare

Episode 13: Jocelyn Hagen

Matthew Lyon

Thank you for coming back for another episode of the Composer Happy Hour. My guest for episode 11 is Matthew Lyon Hazzard. Matt and I had previously only met in passing - he remembers this a bit more clearly than I do - but it was at a bar in Kansas City where I was sitting at a table of other choral conductors enthusiastically discussing the merits of a solo we had just heard in a performance. Needless to say, I am happy to finally have a proper conversation with him. Matt is a writing some really wonderful stuff - rhythmically vibrant, and filled with lush soundscapes. He is also, I have a discovered, a very kind and genuine guy. Our conversation covers craft cocktails, driving through the dessert, and books about sword-fighting rodents (seriously). Matthew Lyon Hazzard is an award-winning Filipino-American composer, conductor, singer, and educator. Praised for his “exquisite text-setting” and for creating “stunning landscapes of sound,” Hazzard’s music has garnered numerous accolades. He was named the winner of the 2017 American Choral Directors Association Raymond W. Brock Student Composition Competition, a prize winner of the International Choral Composition Competition Japan 2016, and the inaugural winner of True Concord’s Stephen Paulus Emerging Composers Competition. His music is increasingly performed by collegiate and professional ensembles around the world, including the Metropolitan Chorus of Tokyo, KC VITAs, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Bob Cole Chamber Choir, and others. Hazzard earned his M.M. in Choral Conducting with honors from the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University Long Beach, and his M.A.T. and B.M. in Music Composition from East Carolina University. Before pursuing his graduate studies, Hazzard taught at Greene Central High School (NC) for four years. His choirs received numerous awards, consistent superior ratings, and were invited to perform on the stage of Carnegie Hall under his leadership. He is now pursuing his D.M.A. Choral Conducting at the University of Houston Moores School of Music, where he continues to write for voices. All Recordings Used By Permission of the Composer: "There is No Sea" (2018) i. The Prow ii. The Ocean Between Us iii. So Much To Seek CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir "Flight" (2020 Portland State Chamber Choir This episode is sponsored by Four Fires Meadery

Thank you for coming back for another episode of the Composer Happy Hour. My guest for episode 11 is Matthew Lyon Hazzard. Matt and I had previously only met in passing - he remembers this a bit more clearly than I do - but it was at a bar in Kansas City where I was sitting at a table of other choral conductors enthusiastically discussing the merits of a solo we had just heard in a performance. Needless to say, I am happy to finally have a proper conversation with him. Matt is a writing some really wonderful stuff - rhythmically vibrant, and filled with lush soundscapes. He is also, I have a discovered, a very kind and genuine guy. Our conversation covers craft cocktails, driving through the dessert, and books about sword-fighting rodents (seriously). Matthew Lyon Hazzard is an award-winning Filipino-American composer, conductor, singer, and educator. Praised for his “exquisite text-setting” and for creating “stunning landscapes of sound,” Hazzard’s music has garnered numerous accolades. He was named the winner of the 2017 American Choral Directors Association Raymond W. Brock Student Composition Competition, a prize winner of the International Choral Composition Competition Japan 2016, and the inaugural winner of True Concord’s Stephen Paulus Emerging Composers Competition. His music is increasingly performed by collegiate and professional ensembles around the world, including the Metropolitan Chorus of Tokyo, KC VITAs, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Bob Cole Chamber Choir, and others. Hazzard earned his M.M. in Choral Conducting with honors from the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University Long Beach, and his M.A.T. and B.M. in Music Composition from East Carolina University. Before pursuing his graduate studies, Hazzard taught at Greene Central High School (NC) for four years. His choirs received numerous awards, consistent superior ratings, and were invited to perform on the stage of Carnegie Hall under his leadership. He is now pursuing his D.M.A. Choral Conducting at the University of Houston Moores School of Music, where he continues to write for voices. All Recordings Used By Permission of the Composer: "There is No Sea" (2018) i. The Prow ii. The Ocean Between Us iii. So Much To Seek CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir "Flight" (2020 Portland State Chamber Choir This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/new/www.4fmeadery.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Four Fires Meadery</a>

Episode 11: Matthew Lyon Hazzard

Eric Barnum

I am so excited to welcome my friend Eric Barnum as our guest for Episode 10 of the Composer Happy Hour. Eric and I have known each other for a bit, having initially been connected through the University of Washington, where we each studied at different times. I have come to admire Eric greatly as a composer, as a thinker, and as a person. We have spent our fair share of time chatting and debating late into the evening during ACDA conference weekends, and this alone would be reason enough for me to want him on the show. It also helps that I really love the music he writes. If somehow you don't know his music - listen, listen, listen - and I know you will love it too. On today's show, we discuss Starbucks, Minnesota winters, and whether or not Mozart is actually any good. A conductor and composer, Eric William Barnum continues to passionately seek new ground in the choral field.  Working with choirs of all kinds, his collaborative leitmotif endeavors to provide intensely meaningful experiences for singers and audiences. Barnum is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and previously, the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.  He holds a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA), under the direction of Dr. Geoffrey Boers.  He has an advanced degree in conducting from Minnesota State University (Mankato, MN), primary study with Dr. David Dickau, as well as BAs in Composition and Vocal Performance from Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN).  He has appeared as a conductor across the United States and the International stage, and has worked with some of the most innovative minds in the choral field. His compositional voice and vision continue to gain popularity around the globe with performances from choirs Internationally.  He composes for choral ensembles of all types, from professional to youth choirs, and has received numerous awards and prestigious grants such as a Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship and a McKnight Foundation Grant.  He has also held residencies with such ensembles as Choral Arts (Seattle, WA), Cantus (Trondheim, Norway), The Rose Ensemble (St. Paul, MN), Kantorei (Denver, CO), Magnum Chorum (Minneapolis, MN), Coro Vocal Artists (Tucson, AZ), as well as with many high schools and collegiate choirs. www.ericwilliambarnum.com All Recordings Used By Permission of the Composer: "Sing in Dark Times" University of Washington Chamber Singers "Launching Into Space" University of Toledo Chamber Singers This episode is sponsored by Four Fires Meadery.

I am so excited to welcome my friend Eric Barnum as our guest for Episode 10 of the Composer Happy Hour. Eric and I have known each other for a bit, having initially been connected through the University of Washington, where we each studied at different times. I have come to admire Eric greatly as a composer, as a thinker, and as a person. We have spent our fair share of time chatting and debating late into the evening during ACDA conference weekends, and this alone would be reason enough for me to want him on the show. It also helps that I really love the music he writes. If somehow you don't know his music - listen, listen, listen - and I know you will love it too. On today's show, we discuss Starbucks, Minnesota winters, and whether or not Mozart is actually any good. A conductor and composer, Eric William Barnum continues to passionately seek new ground in the choral field.  Working with choirs of all kinds, his collaborative leitmotif endeavors to provide intensely meaningful experiences for singers and audiences. Barnum is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and previously, the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.  He holds a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA), under the direction of Dr. Geoffrey Boers.  He has an advanced degree in conducting from Minnesota State University (Mankato, MN), primary study with Dr. David Dickau, as well as BAs in Composition and Vocal Performance from Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN).  He has appeared as a conductor across the United States and the International stage, and has worked with some of the most innovative minds in the choral field. His compositional voice and vision continue to gain popularity around the globe with performances from choirs Internationally.  He composes for choral ensembles of all types, from professional to youth choirs, and has received numerous awards and prestigious grants such as a Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship and a McKnight Foundation Grant.  He has also held residencies with such ensembles as Choral Arts (Seattle, WA), Cantus (Trondheim, Norway), The Rose Ensemble (St. Paul, MN), Kantorei (Denver, CO), Magnum Chorum (Minneapolis, MN), Coro Vocal Artists (Tucson, AZ), as well as with many high schools and collegiate choirs. <a href="http://www.ericwilliambarnum.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.ericwilliambarnum.com</a> All Recordings Used By Permission of the Composer: "Sing in Dark Times" University of Washington Chamber Singers "Launching Into Space" University of Toledo Chamber Singers This episode is sponsored by <a href="http://www.4fmeadery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Four Fires Meadery</a>.

Episode 10: Eric Barnum

Saunder Choi

Welcome to the Composer Happy Hour episode nine. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't already, consider giving us a follow on Instagram. We'd love to have you as a part of our online community. Our guest for this episode is Saunder Choi. Saunder is based in Los Angeles, and he writes beautiful, challenging, and timely music. He also knows how to make a mean cocktail. I was very much looking forward to this conversation as Saunder and I had only previously chatted via email. He is a very kind and gracious guest, and I am sure that - if you haven't already - you are going to fall in love with his music. In today's episode we discuss taco trucks, growing up in the Philippines, and getting a flat tire in the desert. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Saunder Choi is a Los Angeles-based Filipino composer and choral artist. His works have also been performed by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Crossing Choir, the LA Master Chorale Chamber Singers, Sacra Profana, Tonality, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, World Youth Choir, Asia Pacific Youth Choir and many others. He has been commissioned by the L.A. Choral Lab, Andrea Veneracion International Choral Festival, SYC Ensemble Singers (Singapore), Choral Arts Initiative, the Earth Choir (Taiwan), Taipei Philharmonic Choir and Women’s Choir, Archipelago Singers (Indonesia), Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many others. As an arranger and orchestrator, Saunder has written for Tony-Award winner Lea Salonga, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Filarmónica Portuguesa, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the New York Gay Men’s Chorus, Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, the Tim Janis Christmas Shows at Carnegie Hall, Ballet Philippines, etc. He won the 2017 Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Carol Commission competition and awarded the 1st prize in the 2014 American Prize for Choral Composition (student division). He was also a finalist for the 2012 and 2015 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and was one of the five composition fellows at the 2016 Big Sky Choral Initiative, where he worked with the Grammy-award winning choir, The Crossing. More recently, he was one of three composers chosen to participate in Pacific Chorale’s Choral Sketches Workshop, with renowned composer Tarik O’Regan. Born in Manila, Philippines, Saunder holds degrees from De La Salle University – Manila, Berklee College of Music, and the USC Thornton School of Music. His works are published with See-A-Dot Music Publishing, Santa Barbara Music Publishingand Earthsongs. Select works are also distributed by MusicSpoke and MuzikSea. www.saunderchoi.com All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Ang Tren" UA&amp;P Chorale "The New Colossus" LA Choral Lab "Invitation to Love" UUSM Voices "American Breakfast" C3LA

Welcome to the Composer Happy Hour episode nine. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't already, consider giving us a follow on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whateverandeveramen/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. We'd love to have you as a part of our online community. Our guest for this episode is Saunder Choi. Saunder is based in Los Angeles, and he writes beautiful, challenging, and timely music. He also knows how to make a mean cocktail. I was very much looking forward to this conversation as Saunder and I had only previously chatted via email. He is a very kind and gracious guest, and I am sure that - if you haven't already - you are going to fall in love with his music. In today's episode we discuss taco trucks, growing up in the Philippines, and getting a flat tire in the desert. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Saunder Choi is a Los Angeles-based Filipino composer and choral artist. His works have also been performed by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Crossing Choir, the LA Master Chorale Chamber Singers, Sacra Profana, Tonality, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, World Youth Choir, Asia Pacific Youth Choir and many others. He has been commissioned by the L.A. Choral Lab, Andrea Veneracion International Choral Festival, SYC Ensemble Singers (Singapore), Choral Arts Initiative, the Earth Choir (Taiwan), Taipei Philharmonic Choir and Women’s Choir, Archipelago Singers (Indonesia), Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many others. As an arranger and orchestrator, Saunder has written for Tony-Award winner Lea Salonga, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Filarmónica Portuguesa, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the New York Gay Men’s Chorus, Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, the Tim Janis Christmas Shows at Carnegie Hall, Ballet Philippines, etc. He won the 2017 Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Carol Commission competition and awarded the 1st prize in the 2014 American Prize for Choral Composition (student division). He was also a finalist for the 2012 and 2015 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and was one of the five composition fellows at the 2016 Big Sky Choral Initiative, where he worked with the Grammy-award winning choir, The Crossing. More recently, he was one of three composers chosen to participate in Pacific Chorale’s Choral Sketches Workshop, with renowned composer Tarik O’Regan. Born in Manila, Philippines, Saunder holds degrees from De La Salle University – Manila, Berklee College of Music, and the USC Thornton School of Music. His works are published with <a href="https://www.seeadot.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">See-A-Dot Music Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.sbmp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Music Publishing</a>and <a href="http://www.earthsongschoralmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Earthsongs</a>. Select works are also distributed by <a href="https://musicspoke.com/composer/saunderchoi" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">MusicSpoke</a> and <a href="https://muziksea.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">MuzikSea</a>. <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/new/www.saunderchoi.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.saunderchoi.com</a> All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Ang Tren" UA&amp;P Chorale "The New Colossus" LA Choral Lab "Invitation to Love" UUSM Voices "American Breakfast" C3LA

Episode 9: Saunder Choi

The Composer Happy Hour is presented by whateverandeveramen. - but who is whateverandeveramen.? And what does it mean? And why do you have a podcast? The answers to all of those questions and more come to you in this bonus episode. We hope you enjoy!

The Composer Happy Hour is presented by whateverandeveramen. - but who is whateverandeveramen.? And what does it mean? And why do you have a podcast? The answers to all of those questions and more come to you in this bonus episode. We hope you enjoy!

Bonus Episode: About whateverandeveramen.

Welcome to the Composer Happy Hour episode eight. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't already, consider giving us a follow on Instagram. We'd love to have you as a part of our online community. Our guest for this episode is David V. Montoya. David and I have known each other for some time now, and I am delighted to have him on the show. David was actually instrumental in helping to carve out an early identity for whateverandeveramen. Were fortunate to not only premiere some of his music - but it remains the only official "studio" recording of the group available online. In addition to writing music, he is a very fine high school choir director and this experience has surely influenced his writing as he has a number of pieces that are very well suited for a high school ensemble. More recently he has composed several multi-movement, more extended works that demonstrate his evolution as a composer: "Songs of Fatherhood", "Our True Heritage", and "Magdalene." In our conversation, Dave talks about looking forward to one day having more time to compose - and I can't wait to hear what he produces. In today's episode we discuss musical mentors, books, and the musical stylings of Steely Dan. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen.  David V. Montoya (b. 1968) received a bachelor of arts degree in music education from California State University, Los Angeles (1992), and a master of music degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (1998). He has taught in the Southern California public school system for 29 years, teaching both junior high and senior high school music. As a composer Montoya's music, including African Processional: "Jambo rafiki yangu," has been performed throughout the world by high schools, colleges, churches, and such prestigious groups as the Choral Arts Initiative, the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, El Café Chorale (Costa Rica), the Kansas City Chorale, Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir, the Philippine Chamber Singers, and the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. His compositions range from a cappella and accompanied choral music (from the silly to the sacred) to works for solo voice, guitar, piano, harp, brass, ukulele, and even harmonica. Montoya has spent his career making music in various churches around Southern California as a conductor, composer, tenor soloist and cantor. As a choral musician, he has performed with such fine organizations as the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Pacific Chorale, the Singers of the Chapel of Charlemagne (an all-Gregorian Chant choir) and he has sung under the baton of such great conductors as John Alexander, Carl St. Clair, John Mauceri, Bobby McFerrin, Seiji Ozawa, Paul Salamunovich, and Roger Wagner. He was once invited to prepare a group of his high school students to sing with Grammy Award-winning chanteuse, Rickie Lee Jones. All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Three Poems of St. John of the Cross" Louisiana State University A Cappella "African Processional" US Air Force Singing Sergeants "Songs of Fatherhood" (2014) whateverandeveramen. "Peace is Every Step" (2017) Glass City Singers "Light of Mary" (2017) Choral Arts Initiative Episode Sponsor: Four Fires Meadery is available for shipping nationwide at 4fmeadery.com

Welcome to the Composer Happy Hour episode eight. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't already, consider giving us a follow on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whateverandeveramen/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. We'd love to have you as a part of our online community. Our guest for this episode is David V. Montoya. David and I have known each other for some time now, and I am delighted to have him on the show. David was actually instrumental in helping to carve out an early identity for whateverandeveramen. Were fortunate to not only premiere some of his music - but it remains the only official "studio" recording of the group available <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4G8cOn20la7JeOMFRTz96z?si=asm1xgoVTj2XZOp6AhZ6XA&amp;dl_branch=1" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">online</a>. In addition to writing music, he is a very fine high school choir director and this experience has surely influenced his writing as he has a number of pieces that are very well suited for a high school ensemble. More recently he has composed several multi-movement, more extended works that demonstrate his evolution as a composer: "Songs of Fatherhood", "Our True Heritage", and "Magdalene." In our conversation, Dave talks about looking forward to one day having more time to compose - and I can't wait to hear what he produces. In today's episode we discuss musical mentors, books, and the musical stylings of Steely Dan. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. David V. Montoya (b. 1968) received a bachelor of arts degree in music education from California State University, Los Angeles (1992), and a master of music degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (1998). He has taught in the Southern California public school system for 29 years, teaching both junior high and senior high school music. As a composer Montoya's music, including African Processional: "Jambo rafiki yangu," has been performed throughout the world by high schools, colleges, churches, and such prestigious groups as the Choral Arts Initiative, the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, El Café Chorale (Costa Rica), the Kansas City Chorale, Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir, the Philippine Chamber Singers, and the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. His compositions range from a cappella and accompanied choral music (from the silly to the sacred) to works for solo voice, guitar, piano, harp, brass, ukulele, and even harmonica. Montoya has spent his career making music in various churches around Southern California as a conductor, composer, tenor soloist and cantor. As a choral musician, he has performed with such fine organizations as the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Pacific Chorale, the Singers of the Chapel of Charlemagne (an all-Gregorian Chant choir) and he has sung under the baton of such great conductors as John Alexander, Carl St. Clair, John Mauceri, Bobby McFerrin, Seiji Ozawa, Paul Salamunovich, and Roger Wagner. He was once invited to prepare a group of his high school students to sing with Grammy Award-winning chanteuse, Rickie Lee Jones. All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Three Poems of St. John of the Cross" Louisiana State University A Cappella "African Processional" US Air Force Singing Sergeants "Songs of Fatherhood" (2014) whateverandeveramen. "Peace is Every Step" (2017) Glass City Singers "Light of Mary" (2017) Choral Arts Initiative Episode Sponsor: Four Fires Meadery is available for shipping nationwide at <a href="http://www.4fmeadery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">4fmeadery.com</a>

Episode 8: David V. Montoya

Jennifer Jolley

Hi friends! Welcome back to the Composer Happy Hour. If you are reading this, you are likely a fan of the show and/or an avid supporter of whateverandeveramen. Thank you so much for your ongoing support - we really do appreciate it. If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast here or on your chosen streaming platform (or both!). This is most appreciated. Our guest this episode is Jennifer Jolley. I had a chance to work with Jenn back in 2016 when she was in a residency with my choirs. I was quickly impressed with her as a composer, but also as a human. She is very kind and supportive of young musicians, and incredibly humble. So humble, in fact, that she has an entire blog dedicated to her own musical rejections. Her choral music often sets texts that address a fairly specific moment in time or experience. This is in stark contrast to the "tradition" of setting pretty poetry by dead white people, that seems to aim for timelessness, but too often ends up not being very good even in the moment. In this episode we discuss baseball, how to give directions in California, and why f*ck is such a great word for choral music. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Jennifer Jolley (b. 1981) is a composer, blogger, and professor person. She is also a cat lover and part-time creative opera producer. ​ Jennifer’s work draws toward subjects that are political and even provocative. Her collaboration with librettist Kendall A, Prisoner of Conscience, has been described as “the ideal soundtrack and perhaps balm for our current ‘toxic… times’” by Frank J. Oteri of NewMusicBox. Her piece, Blue Glacier Decoy, written as a musical response to the Olympic National Park, depicts the Pacific Northwest’s melting glaciers. Her partnership with writer Scott Woods, You Are Not Alone, evokes the fallout of the #MeToo Movement. ​ Jennifer’s works have been performed by ensembles worldwide. She has received commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts, the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music, the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Quince Ensemble, and many others.  Jennifer deeply values the relationship that is created between composers and the communities with whom they collaborate. She has been composer-in-residence at multiple institutions. She promotes composer advocacy through her opera company NANOWorks Opera and her articles for NewMusicBox &amp; I CARE IF YOU LISTEN. Also, she is on the Executive Council of the Institute for Composer Diversity and the New Music USA Program Council.  Jennifer joined the Texas Tech School of Music composition faculty in 2018 and has been a member of the composition faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp since 2015. www.jenniferjolley.com All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Prisoner of Conscience" (2015) Quince Ensemble "Drei Brücken" (2012) I. Roebling - Premiere Performance, Commissioned by the Contemporary Arts Center for their 2012 Gala, Drew Klein, Performance Curator III. Brent Spence - University of Toledo Chamber Singers "Her Speed Left the Winds Behind" (2020) Voices of Ascension and Trio Triumphatrix

Hi friends! Welcome back to the Composer Happy Hour. If you are reading this, you are likely a fan of the show and/or an avid supporter of whateverandeveramen. Thank you so much for your ongoing support - we really do appreciate it. If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast here or on your chosen streaming platform (or both!). This is most appreciated. Our guest this episode is Jennifer Jolley. I had a chance to work with Jenn back in 2016 when she was in a residency with my choirs. I was quickly impressed with her as a composer, but also as a human. She is very kind and supportive of young musicians, and incredibly humble. So humble, in fact, that she has an entire blog dedicated to her own musical rejections. Her choral music often sets texts that address a fairly specific moment in time or experience. This is in stark contrast to the "tradition" of setting pretty poetry by dead white people, that seems to aim for timelessness, but too often ends up not being very good even in the moment. In this episode we discuss baseball, how to give directions in California, and why f*ck is such a great word for choral music. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Jennifer Jolley (b. 1981) is a composer, blogger, and professor person. She is also a cat lover and part-time creative opera producer. ​ Jennifer’s work draws toward subjects that are political and even provocative. Her collaboration with librettist Kendall A, Prisoner of Conscience, has been described as “the ideal soundtrack and perhaps balm for our current ‘toxic… times’” by Frank J. Oteri of NewMusicBox. Her piece, Blue Glacier Decoy, written as a musical response to the Olympic National Park, depicts the Pacific Northwest’s melting glaciers. Her partnership with writer Scott Woods, You Are Not Alone, evokes the fallout of the #MeToo Movement. ​ Jennifer’s works have been performed by ensembles worldwide. She has received commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts, the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music, the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Quince Ensemble, and many others. Jennifer deeply values the relationship that is created between composers and the communities with whom they collaborate. She has been composer-in-residence at multiple institutions. She promotes composer advocacy through her opera company NANOWorks Opera and her articles for NewMusicBox &amp; I CARE IF YOU LISTEN. Also, she is on the Executive Council of the Institute for Composer Diversity and the New Music USA Program Council. Jennifer joined the Texas Tech School of Music composition faculty in 2018 and has been a member of the composition faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp since 2015. <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/new/www.jenniferjolley.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.jenniferjolley.com</a> All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer: "Prisoner of Conscience" (2015) Quince Ensemble "Drei Brücken" (2012) I. Roebling - Premiere Performance, Commissioned by the Contemporary Arts Center for their 2012 Gala, Drew Klein, Performance Curator III. Brent Spence - University of Toledo Chamber Singers "Her Speed Left the Winds Behind" (2020) Voices of Ascension and Trio Triumphatrix

Episode 7: Jennifer Jolley

Jake Runestad

Hi friends - thanks so much for listening to Episode 6 of the Composer Happy Hour. Hopefully you have a drink in hand, and you are ready to relax and enjoy a great conversation. Also - a quick plug here: if you aren't already following us on social media, please take a second to check us out (IG: @whateverandeveramen / Twitter: @whateverchoir). Your follows mean a lot to us. I'd also like to ask that if you have Apple Music, consider finding the podcast there and giving us a 5-star rating. This helps us out a lot! Our guest for this episode is Jake Runestad. If you are a choral music fan or participant, I imagine you already know some of Jake's music. He has been prominently featured on the program at just about every recent ACDA conference, and his music has been collected on albums by Conspirare and Kantorei. When I first met Jake in person, I knew we would get along well because we have several shared interests: we both enjoy a good old-fashioned, consider ourselves to be "foodies," and have a shared fondness for the music of Ben Folds. We discuss all of that and more in the episode. I hope that as you listen to each episode you find you are getting to know these composers more as people - understanding their influences, their personality, etc. - and that this might give you a greater appreciation and understanding of their music. Grab a drink and enjoy! As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Episode Sponsor: Funky Turtle Brewing starts with spirit brothers Drake Pregnal and Tom Garrison. Drake and Tom met in the backwoods of Kentucky in 2014. Both avid rock climbers and outdoor junkies, they grew their partnership with craft beer and good belly laughs. Drake has worked for companies like Avery Brewing Company and Millhouse Brewing Company. Tom a Software Engineer. We quickly added another turtle to the team, Troy Secrest a lambic lover and marketing genius. At the Funky Turtle, we brew exclusively barrel-aged beers and meads. Every unique, small-batch, single-barrel vintage is aged for several months, creating an aura of anticipation, excitement, and hard-earned value. Our mission at the Funky Turtle is to brew beers and wines that expand the palatable sensations through exquisitely crafted, uniquely aged, one of a kind recipes that will constantly change and challenge the perception of what a profound brewery can truly be. With a town full of frogs you need a couple of Funky Turtles. Funky Turtle Brewing is available for shipping in 40 states at www.funkyturtlebrewing.com

Hi friends - thanks so much for listening to Episode 6 of the Composer Happy Hour. Hopefully you have a drink in hand, and you are ready to relax and enjoy a great conversation. Also - a quick plug here: if you aren't already following us on social media, please take a second to check us out (IG: @whateverandeveramen / Twitter: @whateverchoir). Your follows mean a lot to us. I'd also like to ask that if you have Apple Music, consider finding the podcast there and giving us a 5-star rating. This helps us out a lot! Our guest for this episode is Jake Runestad. If you are a choral music fan or participant, I imagine you already know some of Jake's music. He has been prominently featured on the program at just about every recent ACDA conference, and his music has been collected on albums by Conspirare and Kantorei. When I first met Jake in person, I knew we would get along well because we have several shared interests: we both enjoy a good old-fashioned, consider ourselves to be "foodies," and have a shared fondness for the music of Ben Folds. We discuss all of that and more in the episode. I hope that as you listen to each episode you find you are getting to know these composers more as people - understanding their influences, their personality, etc. - and that this might give you a greater appreciation and understanding of their music. Grab a drink and enjoy! As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Episode Sponsor: Funky Turtle Brewing starts with spirit brothers Drake Pregnal and Tom Garrison. Drake and Tom met in the backwoods of Kentucky in 2014. Both avid rock climbers and outdoor junkies, they grew their partnership with craft beer and good belly laughs. Drake has worked for companies like Avery Brewing Company and Millhouse Brewing Company. Tom a Software Engineer. We quickly added another turtle to the team, Troy Secrest a lambic lover and marketing genius. At the Funky Turtle, we brew exclusively barrel-aged beers and meads. Every unique, small-batch, single-barrel vintage is aged for several months, creating an aura of anticipation, excitement, and hard-earned value. Our mission at the Funky Turtle is to brew beers and wines that expand the palatable sensations through exquisitely crafted, uniquely aged, one of a kind recipes that will constantly change and challenge the perception of what a profound brewery can truly be. With a town full of frogs you need a couple of Funky Turtles. Funky Turtle Brewing is available for shipping in 40 states at <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/new/www.funkyturtlebrewing.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.funkyturtlebrewing.com</a>

Episode 6: Jake Runestad

Hi friends - thanks so much for listening to Episode 5 of the Composer Happy Hour. Hopefully you have a drink in hand, and you are ready to relax and enjoy a great conversation. Also - a quick plug here: if you aren't already following us on social media, please take a second to check us out (IG: @whateverandeveramen / Twitter: @whateverchoir). Your follows mean a lot to us. I'd also like to ask that if you have Apple Music, consider finding the podcast there and giving us a 5-star rating. This helps us out a lot! Our guest for this episode is Eric Malmquist. Eric and I met a few years ago when one of my ensembles was preparing a couple of his pieces for a concert. We were fortunate that Eric new some folks in Toledo and decided to come to town for the performance. Right away I could tell he was someone I would get along with - and I'm sure you'll feel the same way when you listen. I love his sensibilities when it comes to choral music. We also had opportunities to discuss a lot of Chicago related material - if you've ever been, you will appreciate Eric's love letter to the Windy City. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Eric Malmquist (b. 1985) writes earnestly heartfelt and engaging music. He draws on a deep love of early music and modern influences to produce works that are focused and emotional. He has been commissioned by the Chicago Composers Orchestra, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, tubist Scott Tegge, historical keyboardist Charles Metz, historical flutist Leighann Daihl Ragusa, the International Chamber Artists, the Newberry Consort and the Wicker Park Choral Singers. His tuba sonata has been performed by Gene Pokorny of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Scott Tegge of Gaudete Brass. His commissioned work Prairie Music for CYSO was featured on Chicago’s Ear Taxi Festival in October 2016 and at Midwest Clinic in December 2016. CCO and WPCS co-commissioned his Blemish’d Muse, a twenty-minute work for choir and orchestra, in 2016. His song cycle If You Travel Far Enough was the very first commission of the ICA, and was featured on Live from WFMT in 2015. Michael Hall premiered his Sonata for Viola and Piano in 2014, and Gaudete Brass premiered his Three Preludes in 2013. His music has been performed across the US and has been featured repeatedly on 98.7WFMT. His music has been recorded by VOX 3 on the disc “New Song” and by pianist Jonathan Hannau. www.ericmalmquist.com

Hi friends - thanks so much for listening to Episode 5 of the Composer Happy Hour. Hopefully you have a drink in hand, and you are ready to relax and enjoy a great conversation. Also - a quick plug here: if you aren't already following us on social media, please take a second to check us out (IG: @whateverandeveramen / Twitter: @whateverchoir). Your follows mean a lot to us. I'd also like to ask that if you have Apple Music, consider finding the podcast there and giving us a 5-star rating. This helps us out a lot! Our guest for this episode is Eric Malmquist. Eric and I met a few years ago when one of my ensembles was preparing a couple of his pieces for a concert. We were fortunate that Eric new some folks in Toledo and decided to come to town for the performance. Right away I could tell he was someone I would get along with - and I'm sure you'll feel the same way when you listen. I love his sensibilities when it comes to choral music. We also had opportunities to discuss a lot of Chicago related material - if you've ever been, you will appreciate Eric's love letter to the Windy City. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Eric Malmquist (b. 1985) writes earnestly heartfelt and engaging music. He draws on a deep love of early music and modern influences to produce works that are focused and emotional. He has been commissioned by the <a href="http://www.chicagocomposersorchestra.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Composers Orchestra</a>, the <a href="http://cyso.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra</a>, tubist Scott Tegge, historical keyboardist <a href="https://www.earlymusicamerica.org/web-articles/board-highlight-charles-metz/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Charles Metz</a>, historical flutist <a href="https://www.leighanndaihl.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Leighann Daihl Ragusa</a>, the <a href="http://icamusic.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">International Chamber Artists</a>, the <a href="http://newberryconsort.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Newberry Consort</a> and the <a href="http://wickerparksings.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Wicker Park Choral Singers</a>. His tuba sonata has been performed by Gene Pokorny of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Scott Tegge of Gaudete Brass. His commissioned work Prairie Music for CYSO was featured on Chicago’s <a href="http://www.eartaxifestival.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Ear Taxi Festival</a> in October 2016 and at Midwest Clinic in December 2016. CCO and WPCS co-commissioned his Blemish’d Muse, a twenty-minute work for choir and orchestra, in 2016. His song cycle If You Travel Far Enough was the very first commission of the ICA, and was featured on Live from WFMT in 2015. <a href="http://michaelhallviola.com/Welcome.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Michael Hall</a> premiered his Sonata for Viola and Piano in 2014, and <a href="http://www.gaudetebrass.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Gaudete Brass</a> premiered his Three Preludes in 2013. His music has been performed across the US and has been featured repeatedly on 98.7WFMT. His music has been recorded by VOX 3 on the disc <a href="http://www.vox3.org/media/recordings/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">“New Song”</a> and by pianist <a href="https://jonathanhannau.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Jonathan Hannau</a>. <a href="http://www.ericmalmquist.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ericmalmquist.com</a>

Episode 5: Eric Malmquist

Conversations with some of today's most compelling choral composers. Sit down, relax, pour yourself a drink and join us for the conversation.

Dale Trumbore

Welcome to Episode 4, and thank you so much for listening. I imagine that many of you listening to this episode, have also listened to the first three episodes. It means so much to me that you keep coming back for more episodes. I have been fortunate to have conversations with some really fascinating people - who are all amazing composers. Evidently you agree. First time listeners - welcome! If you don't already have a drink, get one - you deserve it. In fact, if you follow us on social media (Twitter: @whateverchoir; Instagram: @whateverandeveramen) you can see recipes for the drinks shared by the guest for each episode. They have brought some fun stuff and that would be a great way to engage in the episode. Our guest for this episode is Dale Trumbore. I think I first became aware of Dale when I picked up a copy of her piece "The Whole Sea in Motion." At the time, it was far too advanced for the choirs I was conducting - but I quickly sensed that she was creating special music and knew that I would be programming her music in the near future. That was 2013. Fast forward to 2021 and Dale is one of the more popular and in demand composers around. She is also a very fine, and very accomplished writer. Her book "Staying Composed" is a must read for anyone creating art of any kind. We discuss everything from why California is wonderful to the perfect party music to the best way to set the word "yeasty" to music. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Visit us at buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir

Welcome to Episode 4, and thank you so much for listening. I imagine that many of you listening to this episode, have also listened to the first three episodes. It means so much to me that you keep coming back for more episodes. I have been fortunate to have conversations with some really fascinating people - who are all amazing composers. Evidently you agree. First time listeners - welcome! If you don't already have a drink, get one - you deserve it. In fact, if you follow us on social media (Twitter: @whateverchoir; Instagram: @whateverandeveramen) you can see recipes for the drinks shared by the guest for each episode. They have brought some fun stuff and that would be a great way to engage in the episode. Our guest for this episode is Dale Trumbore. I think I first became aware of Dale when I picked up a copy of her piece "The Whole Sea in Motion." At the time, it was far too advanced for the choirs I was conducting - but I quickly sensed that she was creating special music and knew that I would be programming her music in the near future. That was 2013. Fast forward to 2021 and Dale is one of the more popular and in demand composers around. She is also a very fine, and very accomplished writer. Her book "Staying Composed" is a must read for anyone creating art of any kind. We discuss everything from why California is wonderful to the perfect party music to the best way to set the word "yeasty" to music. As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen. Visit us at <a href="http://www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir</a>

Episode 4: Dale Trumbore

Welcome back and thanks for listening. If you missed episode one and two, don't worry - they aren't sequential - but you should definitely go back and check it out when you are done here. It was a good one. If you are a first time listener: this show features conversations with composers, and yes, it is about their music - but mostly it is an opportunity to get to know them as people. We will be sharing a drink and just talking about things that interest us. I hope that this feels a little bit less like an interview, and more like a casual conversation at a bar during happy hour. Consider this an invitation to pour yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and join us. Episode 3 features a conversation with Mari Esabel Valverde. Mari and I actually met years ago at a bar in Seattle, but unfortunately didn't have much time to chat. I am so glad that she was able to join me for a drink and a conversation. We had a chance to discuss how artists begin to define themselves as artists, repertoire and required lists, and even briefly chat in French. Her music is gorgeous and challenging, and if you somehow aren't already familiar with her work - you will be soon.  As always, if you like what you hear - you can buy us a beer! Visit us at www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir and click "Support." Your contribution goes to supporting future projects by whateverandeveramen. Award-winning composer and singer Mari Esabel Valverde has been commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses, and Boston Choral Ensemble among others and has appeared with Dallas Chamber Choir, Vox Humana, and EXIGENCE (Detroit). She was a featured composer at the 2016 Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival, where her “Our Phoenix” was premièred by six collective ensembles from the United States and Canada. Her works are published by earthsongs and Walton Music and self-published.  Fluent in Spanish and French, she has a particular interest in Brazilian Portuguese and Swedish. She has translated numerous vocal works and documents including a phonetic guide of Ravel’s opera L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Based in North Texas, she taught voice at the high school level for over six years. Her former students have participated in All-State Choirs and State Solo Competition. She currently teaches singing and transgender voice training with TruVoice Lessons. She holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

Welcome back and thanks for listening. If you missed episode one and two, don't worry - they aren't sequential - but you should definitely go back and check it out when you are done here. It was a good one. If you are a first time listener: this show features conversations with composers, and yes, it is about their music - but mostly it is an opportunity to get to know them as people. We will be sharing a drink and just talking about things that interest us. I hope that this feels a little bit less like an interview, and more like a casual conversation at a bar during happy hour. Consider this an invitation to pour yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and join us. Episode 3 features a conversation with Mari Esabel Valverde. Mari and I actually met years ago at a bar in Seattle, but unfortunately didn't have much time to chat. I am so glad that she was able to join me for a drink and a conversation. We had a chance to discuss how artists begin to define themselves as artists, repertoire and required lists, and even briefly chat in French. Her music is gorgeous and challenging, and if you somehow aren't already familiar with her work - you will be soon.  As always, if you like what you hear - you can buy us a beer! Visit us at <a href="http://www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir</a> and click "Support." Your contribution goes to supporting future projects by whateverandeveramen. Award-winning composer and singer Mari Esabel Valverde has been commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses, and Boston Choral Ensemble among others and has appeared with Dallas Chamber Choir, Vox Humana, and EXIGENCE (Detroit). She was a featured composer at the 2016 Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival, where her “Our Phoenix” was premièred by six collective ensembles from the United States and Canada. Her works are published by earthsongs and Walton Music and self-published. Fluent in Spanish and French, she has a particular interest in Brazilian Portuguese and Swedish. She has translated numerous vocal works and documents including a phonetic guide of Ravel’s opera L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Based in North Texas, she taught voice at the high school level for over six years. Her former students have participated in All-State Choirs and State Solo Competition. She currently teaches singing and transgender voice training with TruVoice Lessons. She holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

Episode 3: Mari Esabel Valverde

Joshua Shank

Composer Happy Hour - Episode 2: Joshua Shank You came back for Episode 2! Welcome back and thanks for listening. If you missed episode one, don't worry - they aren't sequential - but you should definitely go back and check it out when you are done here. It was a good one. If you are a first time listener: this show features conversations with composers, and yes, it is about their music - but mostly it is an opportunity to get to know them as people. We will be sharing a drink and just talking about things that interest us. I hope that this feels a little bit less like an interview, and more like a casual conversation at a bar during happy hour. Consider this an invitation to pour yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and join us. Episode 2 features a conversation with Joshua Shank. I've always admired Josh's work, so I was very excited to have an extended conversation with him. Josh is a great guy, and somehow I always suspected we might have a lot in common. In this episode we discuss our mutual admiration for Ben Folds, growing up in the Midwest, and the "darker" side of choral music. As always, if you like what you hear - you can buy us a beer! Visit us at www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir and click "Support." Your contribution goes to supporting future projects by whateverandeveramen. The music of Boston-based composer, Joshua Shank (b. 1980), has been called “jubilant…ethereal” (Santa Barbara News-Press), “evocative and atmospheric” (Gramophone), and “emotionally charged” (Boston Classical Review).  He has been commissioned by organizations such as the Lorelei Ensemble, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the Choral Project, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Association for Music in International Schools. From 2004 to 2014, he served alongside fellow Composers-In-Residence Jocelyn Hagen and Abbie Betinis for the Minneapolis-based professional choir, The Singers, where he collaborated annually to expand and invigorate the repertoire for professional-caliber ensembles through innovative programming as well as new works written specifically for the ensemble.  In 2002, he became the youngest recipient ever of the Raymond W. Brock Composition Award from the American Choral Directors Association. The winning piece, Musica animam tangens, was premiered in Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center, and has since been performed and recorded from Los Angeles to South Africa.  A native of Minnesota, his music was recently featured in a documentary about the extensive choral tradition in the upper Midwest, Never Stop Singing, and his published works have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Joshua received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Luther College where he studied conducting with Weston Noble.  He has also earned master’s and doctoral degrees in Musicology and Composition, respectively, from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Charles Carson, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Donald Grantham, and the late opera composer Daniel Catán.  A fierce advocate for students’ access to music education, he was a public-school teacher in Minneapolis/St. Paul for many years before going on to teach at Gonzaga University, Valley City State University, and Eastern Washington University.  When he’s not writing music, you can probably find him biking, studying vegetarian cooking, or watching hilariously bad movies with his husband, sociologist Robert Ressler. Learn more at www.joshuashank.com All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer.

Composer Happy Hour - Episode 2: Joshua Shank You came back for Episode 2! Welcome back and thanks for listening. If you missed episode one, don't worry - they aren't sequential - but you should definitely go back and check it out when you are done here. It was a good one. If you are a first time listener: this show features conversations with composers, and yes, it is about their music - but mostly it is an opportunity to get to know them as people. We will be sharing a drink and just talking about things that interest us. I hope that this feels a little bit less like an interview, and more like a casual conversation at a bar during happy hour. Consider this an invitation to pour yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and join us. Episode 2 features a conversation with Joshua Shank. I've always admired Josh's work, so I was very excited to have an extended conversation with him. Josh is a great guy, and somehow I always suspected we might have a lot in common. In this episode we discuss our mutual admiration for Ben Folds, growing up in the Midwest, and the "darker" side of choral music. As always, if you like what you hear - you can buy us a beer! Visit us at <a href="http://www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir</a> and click "Support." Your contribution goes to supporting future projects by whateverandeveramen. The music of Boston-based composer, Joshua Shank (b. 1980), has been called “jubilant…ethereal” (Santa Barbara News-Press), “evocative and atmospheric” (Gramophone), and “emotionally charged” (Boston Classical Review).  He has been commissioned by organizations such as the Lorelei Ensemble, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the Choral Project, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Association for Music in International Schools. From 2004 to 2014, he served alongside fellow Composers-In-Residence Jocelyn Hagen and Abbie Betinis for the Minneapolis-based professional choir, The Singers, where he collaborated annually to expand and invigorate the repertoire for professional-caliber ensembles through innovative programming as well as new works written specifically for the ensemble.  In 2002, he became the youngest recipient ever of the Raymond W. Brock Composition Award from the American Choral Directors Association. The winning piece, Musica animam tangens, was premiered in Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center, and has since been performed and recorded from Los Angeles to South Africa.  A native of Minnesota, his music was recently featured in a documentary about the extensive choral tradition in the upper Midwest, Never Stop Singing, and his published works have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Joshua received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Luther College where he studied conducting with Weston Noble.  He has also earned master’s and doctoral degrees in Musicology and Composition, respectively, from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Charles Carson, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Donald Grantham, and the late opera composer Daniel Catán.  A fierce advocate for students’ access to music education, he was a public-school teacher in Minneapolis/St. Paul for many years before going on to teach at Gonzaga University, Valley City State University, and Eastern Washington University.  When he’s not writing music, you can probably find him biking, studying vegetarian cooking, or watching hilariously bad movies with his husband, sociologist <a href="https://www.robertwressler.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Robert Ressler</a>. Learn more at <a href="http://www.joshuashank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.joshuashank.com</a> All Recordings Used by Permission of the Composer.

Episode 2: Joshua Shank

Welcome to the first episode of a brand new video podcast. This show will feature conversations with composers, and yes, it is about their music - but mostly it is an opportunity to get to know them as people. We will be sharing a drink and just talking about things that interest us. I hope that this feels a little bit less like an interview, and more like a casual conversation at a bar during happy hour. Consider this an invitation to pour yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and join us. Our first episode features Melissa Dunphy. She is an outstanding composer, and while I am a huge fan of her work, that isn't the only reason I asked her to be my first guest. She is fascinating, and a great storyteller - something I learned listening to her podcast: The Boghouse. In this episode, we discuss everything from NIN to archeology to politics to hockey mascots, and The show is intended to be viewed in video format - which can be found at www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen.

Welcome to the first episode of a brand new video podcast. This show will feature conversations with composers, and yes, it is about their music - but mostly it is an opportunity to get to know them as people. We will be sharing a drink and just talking about things that interest us. I hope that this feels a little bit less like an interview, and more like a casual conversation at a bar during happy hour. Consider this an invitation to pour yourself a drink, sit down, relax, and join us. Our first episode features Melissa Dunphy. She is an outstanding composer, and while I am a huge fan of her work, that isn't the only reason I asked her to be my first guest. She is fascinating, and a great storyteller - something I learned listening to her podcast: The Boghouse. In this episode, we discuss everything from NIN to archeology to politics to hockey mascots, and The show is intended to be viewed in video format - which can be found at <a href="http://www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.buymeacoffee.com/whateverchoir</a> As always, if you like what you hear - buy us a beer! Your contributions will help to fund future projects by whateverandeveramen.

Episode 1: Melissa Dunphy

Composer Happy Hour - Presented by whateverandeveramen.

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